New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights Preview & Prediction | 2026 NRL | Semi-Final
by Alex Sarwar ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
New Zealand Warriors lost to lower-ranked opposition in the elimination finals, forcing them into a showdown with Newcastle Knights for a place in the semi-finals.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Channel 9 / USA – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – 9Now / USA – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
New Zealand Warriors team news
No sooner after having returned, Jackson Ford is back on the New Zealand Warriors injured list after hurting his ankle. Meanwhile, Leka Halasima and Dalin Watene-Zelezniak are each named in the squad but both are serious doubts.
Squad: Taine Tuaupiki, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Ali Leiataua, Adam Pompey, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitchell Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Sam Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Jett Cleary, Morgan Gannon, Makaia Tafua, Leka Halasima, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Newcastle Knights team news
Dylan Lucas faces a race against time to prove his fitness, in what is the big story surrounding the Newcastle Knights squad heading into this game.
Squad: Kalyn Ponga, Dominic Young, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Sandon Smith, Tyson Frizell, Phoenix Crossland, Cody Hopwood, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Manuleleua, Mat Croker, Harrison Graham, Lachlan Crouch, Pasami Saulo, Thomas Cant, Fletcher Hunt, Toby Winter, Kyle McCarthy, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Dylan Lucas
New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights prediction
New Zealand Warriors were one of two teams to lose their elimination final against a lower-seeded opponent. But unlike South Sydney Rabbitohs, the Warriors get a second chance due to their second-place finish in the regular season. A fired-up Eden Park will be right behind the Warriors as they take on Newcastle Knights, winners over the Rabbitohs by twenty points to ten, keeping their season alive for now.
After being excellent across the regular season and finishing level on points with table toppers Penrith Panthers, New Zealand Warriors perhaps suffered a hangover from not grabbing that top spot which extended into the elimination finals. With ample time to recover from that result and performance, we should see a far superior Warriors group on this occasion.
The offense of the Warriors has absolutely destroyed Newcastle Knights so far this year, with New Zealand accumulating 38 and 46 point-games respectively against this fragile Knights backline, winning on each occasion. The same outcome has to be favoured this time around as the home side pile consistent pressure onto Newcastle which eventually sees them overwhelmed from an attacking standpoint.
New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights tip: New Zealand Warriors to win
