Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League Round 8 clash between the New Zealand Warriors and the Newcastle Knights.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
New Zealand Warriors Vs Newcastle Knights
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Date: Friday 25 April, 6:05pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Leka Halasima 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban 18. Te Maire Martin 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Tanner Stowers-Smith 22. Samuel Healey 23. Edward Kosi
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Paul Bryan 20. Jack Cogger 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Logan Aoake
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Bunker: Kasey Badger
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Round 8 continues on Friday night, with the Warriors hosting the Knights for an Anzac Day clash in Christchurch. The Warriors will be full of confidence after taking down the Broncos 20-18 in Golden Point last week, while the Knights suffered a 34-14 loss to the Sharks at home.
For the Warriors, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returns at fullback after missing last week due to concussion. Taine Tuaupiki moves to the wing with Ed Kosi dropping to the reserves. Rocco Berry is also back after missing last week. He takes his place at centre, which moves Kurt Capewell into the second row and Leka Halasima back to the bench. Te Maire Martin drops out of the 17 and takes his place as 18th Man.
Emotions will be high for the Warriors in Christchurch as they represent New Zealand on Anzac Day, so expect a big performance from them. They showed plenty of grit to outlast a tough Broncos side last week, with Luke Metcalf slotting the game-winning penalty goal from halfway. Metcalf has been instrumental in the Warriors’ wins this year – when he plays well his teammates rise to the occasion around him. The return of Nicoll-Klokstad at the back is a huge boost. The work he does out of the backfield and efforts he brings in defence will be key to continuing their winning streak. They’ve also won six of their last eight games played in Christchurch.
For the Knights, Dylan Lucas returns in the second row after missing the past six weeks with a hamstring injury. Thomas Cant moves back to the bench with Jermaine McEwen dropping out of the 17.
It was too little too late last week for the Knights, as they crumbled to another big defeat at home. They’ll have to be much better this week if they’re to overcome a strong Warriors side. Their attacking woes have been well documented over the past month, only managing to score 24 points across their past four games combined. The key to unlocking their attack could well be the return of Lucas, who adds some X-factor on the left edge. Leaning into that, they’d be well suited to focus on moving the ball down their left side to bring strike weapons Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, and Greg Marzhew into the game. In their last 17 games played in New Zealand, the Knights have only managed two wins.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Warriors by 10 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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