Sunday has two NRL matches with the second game for Round 11 being between New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights with the opening kick to commence at 4:00pm local time and 12 mid day AEST. The game is to be played at Mt Smart Stadium with the favourite for the match being Newcastle Knights. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights.
WHERE AND WHEN: Mt Smart Stadium, Sunday 26th May, 4:00pm
Preview:
The Warriors play the Knights on Sunday at 1.45PM, with this match taking place at Mt Smart Stadium. The New Zealand team will be hard to beat this weekend, coming off a good win against the Panthers, their third victory from four games. Newcastle are also in fine fighting form however, and their massive 50-24 win against the Bulldogs last week is enough to frighten any side. This will be a great game to watch, with Knights Hooker Adam Clydesdale one of the main players to keep your eyes on.
Teams:
New Zealand Warriors:
Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Dane Nielsen, Ben Henry, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Russell Packer, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (c), Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Elijah Taylor, Carlos Tuimavave, Glen Fisiiahi, Ngani Laumape, Pita Godinet
Newcastle Knights:
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Kurt Gidley (c), Willie Mason, Robbie Rochow, Alex McKinnon, David Fa’alogo. Interchange: Travis Waddell, Neville Costigan, Adam Cuthbertson, Korbin Sims, Kevin Naiqama
Elliott takes rap for Warriors’ woes
Matthew Elliott accepts the buck stops with him as coach in the wake of the Warriors’ record NRL defeat to Penrith.
The Warriors fell to their worst loss in 19 seasons when they were humbled 62-6 by the Panthers last weekend.
“What prevailed there is not new here, but the fact that it’s still here is my fault, my responsibility,” Elliott, who is in his first season at the club, said.
“That’s what I sign up for. That’s what you do as a head coach.”
The Warriors conceded 10 tries against Penrith and Elliott admitted that he hadn’t seen the defeat coming.
In their previous six matches, the Warriors had had two wins and four close losses.
“The guys have worked pretty hard over a sustained period and you didn’t see that at the weekend,” Elliott said.
“You saw something completely different and that’s disappointing.”
Elliott cited two key lessons for the Warriors as they look to bounce back against Newcastle on Sunday.
“One is about acknowledging the primal part of rugby league and that is putting your body on the line on every play,” he said.
“The other one is ensuring that it’s not about stuff that coaches talk about – structures and tactics.
“It’s about what you’re prepared to do as an individual inside those structures and what you are prepared to do for your teammates.”
Questioned about halfback Shaun Johnson’s reaction at being substituted with half an hour still to go, Elliott said he would be disappointed if anyone was happy with being taken off.
He also said any changes he made was with the team in mind.
“If we want to make things personal, we miss the point,” he said.
“No one likes coming off the park. I replace Russell Packer and he whinges and moans the whole time. He wants to get back on the field, which is a good thing.”
