A clash of two unbeaten sides is the perfect way to launch a sensational Saturday with the Knights and Warriors matching motors in Newcastle.

The Knights faithful will be out in force to see whether their boys can overcome the loss of Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown to keep the roll going after wins over the Cowboys and Sea Eagles.

From there we travel to the Sutherland Shire for a clash between the Sharks and Dolphins, both sides sitting 1-1 and looking to make a statement.

The Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers bring down the curtain in Gosford, with a high-scoring contest in prospect as Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker try to outpoint Jarome Luai, Jahream Bula and the scheming Api Koroisau.

Follow all the action from Round 3 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com’s live blog.

Knights v Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium

19th minute: We’re off to the Bunker with James Fisher-Harris looking to crash over from close range. The on-field referee has ruled no try and it is the right call. Tyson Gamble somehow managed to get his arm under the ball before Fisher-Harris grounded it and forced an error. Knights 6 – Warriors 4. 

18th minute: It’s been an entertaining start to this match, with plenty of end-to-end action. Now it’s the Warriors turn to attack, with a break followed by a penalty leading to a fresh set of six in prime field position. Knights 6 – Warriors 4. 

13th minute: The Warriors have turned defence into attack and have their first points of the day. The visitors defended their own line to deny the Knights before earning a couple of penalties to work their way into attacking territory. Tanah Boyd did the rest, delivering a superb pass for Erin Clark to stroll through a gaping hole and score the try. Knights 6 – Warriors 4. 

5th minute: The game has paused temporarily after Morgan Gannon collided with Jacob Saifiti as the Knight returned the kick-off. The Warriors forward was making his NRL debut but has been placed into the head knock protocol and will not return today. Marata Niukore enters the fray for his first action of the year in his return from a calf injury. Knights 6 – Warriors 0.

4th minute: It’s a dream start for the Knights who have rolled down the field and capitalised on their first attacking opportunity of the match. Sandon Smith produced a pinpoint bomb on the fifth tackle, Fletcher Hunt outleapt the Warriors defenders and secured the catch to score the try. Knights 6 – Warriors 0


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Kick-off: We are underway on a bumper super Saturday, with a showdown between two undefeated sides at McDonald Jones Stadium. Newcastle have travelled to Las Vegas and Manly before their first home game of the season, while the Warriors have enjoyed back-to-back victories in Auckland to start their year. Mitch Barnett is in the mix for his first game since June and is on the six-man bench. Knights 0 – Warriors 0.


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Stat Attack

The Knights have won only one of their past five games against the Warriors.
The Warriors have scored the most points in their history after two rounds.
The Knights have lost their last six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Warriors prop Jackson Ford will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has scored 13 tries in 11 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Late Mail

Knights: Just one additional change in Saturday’s final team update, with Mat Croker shifting from the bench to start at lock and Tyson Frizell moving to the interchange. Fletcher Sharpe was originally named to return from a knee injury suffered in Las Vegas but he has dropped out of the side. Tyson Gamble will come into the halves alongside Sandon Smith while Fletcher Hunt is set to start at fullback in place of Kalyn Ponga (hamstring). Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana also came out of the squad on Friday with Cody Hopwood moving onto the six-man bench.

Warriors: Star prop Mitch Barnett will come from the bench as he makes his comeback from an ACL injury suffered last June. Centre Adam Pompey has remained in Auckland for the birth of his first child so Leka Halasima shifts to centre. Marata Niukore was initially named to come into the back row in his return from a calf injury but reverted back to the bench in Saturday’s final team update. Englishman Morgan Gannon will start in the back row instead in his NRL debut. Alofiana Khan-Pereira is the final player in the six-man bench and could make his first appearance for the Warriors if used. Kurt Capewell (calf), Chanel Harris-Tavita and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (both head knocks) have all been ruled out. Taine Tuaupiki is the new fullback and Luke Hanson makes his NRL debut at five-eighth.

Sharks v Dolphins at Ocean Protect Stadium

 

Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers at Polytec Stadium

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