Warriors v Knights: Pompey in for Aitken; Best, Mann good to go
With both these sides winning their round one clashes someone is going to end up disappointed this weekend.
The Knights don't look like being the ones after scoring five tries, making seven line breaks and 30 tackle busts in a 16-point win over the Bulldogs.
However the Warriors were no slouches either with 26 tackle breaks in their 13-point victory over the Titans. And Nathan Brown's men remain 'at home' in Gosford, where they have won five of their past nine games and look increasingly comfortable every time they play there.
The last time these sides met was in round 16 last year when the Warriors ran in six tries to record a comprehensive 36-6 win at Scully Park in Tamworth.
If the Warriors can salute it will be just the fourth time in club history that they have started a season 2-0.
Warriors v Knights
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Warriors
7th Position
away Team
Knights
4th Position
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
The rundown
Team news
Warriors: The Warriors are 1-17, with Wayde Egan and Bayley Sironen both cleared to play after picking up head knocks last week.
Centre Euan Aitken had surgery this week for a high-ankle sprain and looks set to be sidelined for 8-10 weeks. His place is taken by Adam Pompey.
Jack Murchie has been named among the reserves as he continues to work his way back from a pectoral injury. The Warriors are hoping to start with back-to-back wins for only the fourth time in their history.
Sean O'Sullivan and Jack Murchie were trimmed from the reserves on game day after Marcelo Montoya and Tom Ale were omitted 24 hours before the match.
Knights: Kurt Mann is out for the Knights, with Phoenix Crossland (No.18) to start at five-eighth.
Connor Watson has overcome an ankle concern but will come off the bench as he did last week, with Sauaso Sue to start at lock.
Mann and Dominic Young were the two players left out on the eve of the match while Pasami Saulo and Gehamat Shibasaki were omitted an hour before kick-off.
Prop David Klemmer has a 70% winning record against the Warriors.
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-SheckFullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 David Fusitu'aWinger for Knights is number 2 Starford To'a
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam PompeyCentre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Peta HikuCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Knights is number 5 Hymel Hunt
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Knights is number 18 Phoenix Crossland
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Chanel Harris-TavitaHalfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Bayley Sironen2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu HarrisLock for Knights is number 14 Sauaso Sue
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Jazz TevagaInterchange for Knights is number 13 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Ben Murdoch-MasilaInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Leeson Ah MauInterchange for Knights is number 16 Josh King
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Addin Fonua-Blake vs David Klemmer: Heavyweight showdown worth the price of admission alone. The pair had a decent feud going between them in the 2019 and 2020 meetings between the Knights and Manly.
The fact Fonua-Blake is wearing a different coloured jersey this time shouldn't alter any of the emotions between the two. Both men ran for more than 200 metres in round one so there will be pride at stake on that statistic as well.
Stat attack
These two clubs were locked on 80% set completions at the end of 2020 - the third best in the League behind the Panthers (82%) and the Dragons (81%).
So it might come down to the kicking games of Mitchell Pearce and Kodi Nikorima on who produces the best end to those sets.
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