NRL Round 22 Preview and Prediction - Newcastle Knights v New Zealand Warriors @ McDonald Jones Stadium
Newcastle Knights (16th) v New Zealand Warriors (11th) @ McDonald Jones Stadium
Preview - The Knights will be aiming for back-to-back victories for the first time under Nathan Brown when they host the reeling Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday afternoon. The Knights finally got some reward for their improved performances this year with a 21-14 victory over the Dragons last week at home. The Knights looked like they were going to suffer another familiar heartbreaking loss having given up an early 12-point lead, however they battled back to secure just their 3rd win of the season. The Warriors season is in quicksand having suffered a listless 26-12 loss to the Sharks at home last Friday night. The Warriors are now certain to miss the finals for the 6th straight season after making the Grand Final in 2011.
History - The Warriors have been on a good recent run against the Knights having won the past 4 encounters. These sides last met back in Round with the Warriors coming from behind to secure a close 26-22 victory at Mount Smart Stadium. The Knights have a better record against the Warriors overall in Newcastle having won 9 from 16.
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - The Knights have named an unchanged 17 after just their 3rd victory of the season over the Dragons last week. Veteran winger Shaun Kenny Dowall has now got a couple of games under his belt and has done a solid job on the wing so far. Nathan Ross needs a strong end to the season at fullback with both Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson joining the Knights in 2018.
New Zealand Warriors’ Scouting Report - Fresh off losing Shaun Johnson a couple of weeks ago for the season, the Warriors have now lost Bodene Thompson for the season with a pec injury. Isaiah Pappali comes into the starting back row, with Ryan Hoffman still at least one week away from returning from injury.
Verdict - Newcastle by 6-14 in a high scoring game
I'm pretty confident the Knights can win this game and win it pretty well. The Warriors have only won once on the road all season and they were dismal in their execution against the Sharks last week. Without Shaun Johnson, the Warriors really struggle to put points on the board, and their defence is as shaky as ever. There is big incentive here for Newcastle to make it back-to-back wins for the first time under Nathan Brown and really keep the pressure on the Tigers down the bottom of the ladder. The Knights seem to be playing more consistently this year and have some young talent emerging and a style of play that can really worry a poor away side like the Warriors. Given this is an afternoon game, I am expecting another high scoring affair, however the Knights to win by at least 10 points.