Moreton Daily Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 12 NRL game between New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm with New Zealand Warriors heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the New Zealand Warriors vs. Newcastle Knights game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday May 28, 2022 at 3:00 pm
Where: Moreton Daily Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights Odds
New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights Preview
Both sides are coming into this make-or-break showdown in Redcliffe at a low ebb.
The 4-7 Warriors have won just one of their last six and have been little short of diabolical, despite narrow losses to Souths (32-30) and St George Illawarra (24-18) in the past fortnight. Shocking edge defence and lack of cohesive attack have emphatically overshadowed any individual positives.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have lost elite front-row pair Matt Lodge (released) and Addin Fonua-Blake (injury) in a matter of days. Jazz Tevaga is the surprise prop replacement, though mid-season pick-up Dunamis Lui is in the extended squad and could be a late addition.
Freddy Lussick is named to start at hooker while Chanel Harris-Tavita returns at five-eighth despite announcing his rugby league hiatus from the end of 2022. Expect under-pressure Nathan Brown to bring Jesse Arthars and/or Daejarn Asi from the reserves into a battling backline.
Newcastle have lost eight of their last nine, copping some terrible Bunker calls but nevertheless crumbling in disappointing style 36-12 to a Reynolds-less Brisbane outfit at home in Round 11. Kalyn Ponga’s form resurgence continued, while Anthony Milford’s inclusion provided genuine improvement in the halves.
Jake Clifford comes in at halfback for Adam Clune, while Enari Tuala replaces injured centre Bradman Best.
The Knights grabbed a pair of late wins over the Warriors in 2021. Best set up a go-ahead try Hymel Hunt with five minutes left in a 20-16 victory in Gosford in Round 2, while Brodie Jones scored a deadlock-breaking try with four minutes left for a 10-6 win in horrendous Newcastle conditions in Round 15.
Expect the loser of this match to duke it out with the Bulldogs for the wooden spoon. It’s a lottery with the NRL’s two worst defences on display – and there’s a sense whoever wins the fullback duel/Origin selection audition between Ponga and Reece Walsh will get the result. The underdog Knights look better head-to-head value.
Content provided by l
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping New Zealand Warriors to win at $1.75 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Marcelo Montoya at $9.25.
New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights Teams
Warriors team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Ben Murdoch-Masila 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Jazz Tevaga 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jack Murchie 14. Taniela Otukolo 15. Aaron Pene 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Eliesa Katoa 18. Jesse Arthars 20. Rocco Berry 21. Dunamis Lui 22. Daejarn Asi 23. Pride Petterson-Robati 24. Ronald Volkman 25. Jackson Frei
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Jake Clifford 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Mitchell Barnett 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Leo Thompson 17. Mathew Croker 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Brodie Jones 20. Tex Hoy 21. Sauaso Sue 22. Pasami Saulo 23. Krystian Mapapalangi 24. Brayden Musgrove