McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 9 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and New Zealand Warriors. The game kicks off at 2:00 pm with New Zealand Warriors heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs. New Zealand Warriors game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday May 5, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors Odds
Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors Preview
Plenty has changed for Newcastle Knights and the Warriors since the clubs squared off in Auckland in Round 4.
The Warriors ultimately made hard work of a 20-12 win over the Knights that day after getting off to a flying start, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kalyn Ponga engaged in a thrilling fullback duel.
The Warriors surged in premiership betting after a 30-point rout of Souths six days later but are winless since then, lucky to share in a draw with Manly before putting in arguably their two worst performances of the Webster era back-to-back in losses to the Dragons (30-12) and Titans (27-24).
Scoring early in both games, the Warriors were brought undone by a succession of cheap penalties and a staggering lack of goal-line resistance.
They leaked five unanswered tries in both games, but the manner in which they conceded in front of a sold-out home crowd against the winless Titans was especially jarring.
The Knights slumped to a 2-5 record culminating in a 36-12 loss to Canterbury that resulted in Ponga being ruled out for three months before producing a courageous performance to upset the Dolphins 18-14 in Brisbane.
David Armstrong enjoyed a dream debut in the No.1 jersey, while Dane Gagai made a huge impression returning from injury and Jayden Brailey looks back to his best.
The Knights are unchanged, despite a seemingly serious injury to Jacob Saifiti last Sunday. Tyson Frizell remains sidelined.
Kurt Capewell and Bunty Afoa return from injury for the Warriors, which sees Jacob Laban move back to the bench, and Paul Roache and impressive Anzac Day debutant Zyon Maiuu drop out of the 17.
The clubs last seven encounters have been won by the team playing in their home country, with the Warriors coming up empty in their last four against the Knights in Australia as well as dropping their last three at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Last season a Ponga-less Knights outfit won 34-24 in Round 6 in a result that defied both teams early-season formlines.
The Warriors are, perhaps surprisingly, $1.58 favourites on the road. Their remedy is simple: maintain the outstanding platform laid by Addin Fonua-Blake, Mitch Barnett and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, but tighten up in the effort and attention-to-detail areas. Johnson and Egan will orchestrate the rest.
The Knights are certainly capable of back-to-back wins for the first time in 2024, but it will require another mighty effort.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors Tip
We're tipping New Zealand Warriors to win at $1.55 odds.
Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors Teams
Knights team: 1. David Armstrong 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Brodie Jones 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Thomas Cant 22. Thomas Jenkins
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Jacob Laban 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Adam Pompey 20. Zyon Maiu’u 21. Edward Kosi 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Tanner Stowers-Smith
