In a rematch of last year’s semi-final, the New Zealand Warriors will play host to the Newcastle Knights at Go Media Stadium.
The Warriors clinched a spot in the preliminary final as well as ended Newcastle’s 11-game winning streak when thrashing the Knights 40-10 in the second week of the 2023 finals series.
The Knights will no doubt be looking for retribution here, and they should fancy their chances on the back of a gutsy win over the Storm last week.
MATCH CENTRE: Warriors vs Knights scores, stats, highlights
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Leo Thompson (suspension) and Dane Gagai (medical condition) are the two players missing from the line up, with Daniel Saifiti and Dylan Lucas to take their places in the starting side.
Jack Hetherington comes back into the side after missing a week through injury.
For the Warriors, easily the biggest line up-related news is favourite son Roger Tuivasa-Sheck set to wear the No. 1 jersey for the club for the first time since 2021.
Tuivasa-Sheck is arguably the greatest Warriors fullback of all time. Since returning from a two-year stint in rugby union this season, he has been playing in the centres.
But injuries to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and young gun Taine Tuaupiki have forced coach Andrew Webster to put RTS to the back.
Hooker Wayde Egan returns to the side, as does Marata Niukore while Jazz Tevaga is a late swap for Dylan Walker, who will miss his second straight game (ankle).
TEAMS
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Marata Niukore 16. Bunty Afoa 20. Jazz Tevaga 21. Chanel Harris-Tavita 23. Ali Leiataua
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Thomas Jenkins 18. Dylan Lucas 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones 19. Jed Cartwright 21. Will Pryce
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