2021 NRL – Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors taking place? Saturday 19th June, 2021 – 06:00 (UK)
Where is Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors taking place? McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Where can I get tickets for Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
THE TEAM NEWS
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Starting 13: Hoy, Young, Mann, Tuala, Hunt, Clifford, Pearce, J. Saifiti, Brailey, D. Saifiti, Fitzgibbon, Jones, Barnett – Interchanges: Watson, Klemmer, Sue, Johns – Reserves: King, Musgrove
Unavailable: Edrick Lee (Injured), Chris Randall (Injured), Pasami Saulo (Injured), Kalyn Ponga (Injured), Tyson Frizell (Injured), Bradman Best (Injured)
- Newcastle Knights were competitive but lacked the quality when it mattered as they were unable to overcome South Sydney Rabbitohs last week with that loss leaving them with just one win in their last five outings.
- The Knights have struggled for consistency for the majority of the season and have suffered a blow here with Kalyn Ponga once again ruled out, although Mitchell Pearce is slated to make his return from injury along with Hymel Hunt.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Starting 13: Walsh, Montoya, Aitken, Pompey, Tuivasa-Sheck, Nikorima, O’Sullivan, Fonua-Blake, Tevaga, Murdoch-Masila, Sironen, Harris, Curran – Interchanges: Katoa, Ah Mau, Afoa, Evans – Reserves: Kosi, Otukolo
Unavailable: Peta Hiku (Injured), David Fusitu’a (Injured), Tom Ale (Injured), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Injured), Wayde Egan (Injured)
- New Zealand Warriors were poor as they were comfortably beaten by Melbourne Storm last week with two late consolation tries making the scoreline look a little more respectable than their performance warranted.
- The Warriors have now lost four of their last five matches which has seen their challenge for a top eight spot falter and this is now a very important contest against another side with hopes of competing for the finals.
THE PREDICTION
Newcastle Knights and New Zealand Warriors both come into this clash
outside of the top eight and they will need to produce an improved run
of form if they are to stay in touch with those sides above them. The
pair have each lost four of their last five matches so this could be a
nervy affair with both teams desperate for a much-needed win. The
Knights have been forced into further changes in their backline but they
are boosted by the return of Mitchell Pearce in the halves and his
inclusion could be enough for the hosts to get the job done in this one.
