The changes come as the Warriors set out to retain top spot on the NRL ladder heading into the final round of the season.
Their 45-26 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs last week moved them to the top of the standings, but Penrith’s 24-10 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs on Friday has put the pressure back on.
The Warriors must now beat the Knights by at least 14 points to reclaim top spot and go into the last round as the competition’s No 1 side.
However, it won’t be easy against the Knights, who will have plenty to play for in their final regular-season match after being allocated the bye next week. A win would go a long way towards securing a home elimination final.
They also possess one of the NRL’s most dangerous attacking weapons in Kalyn Ponga, who can break a game open in an instant.
Should the Warriors finish on top, it would be the second time in the club’s history they have claimed the J.J. Giltinan Shield, joining the 2002 side as the only Warriors teams to finish the regular season as minor premiers.
But despite the opportunity to make a bit of club history, coach Andrew Webster insists finishing top of the ladder is not occupying the Warriors’ minds.
“We’ve never mentioned it once,” Webster said.
“We’ve just got to worry about chasing our best game. If we chase our best game the next two weeks, that guarantees us top two. If it doesn’t, then we’ll just deal with whatever situation comes.
“But chasing minor premierships isn’t the top of our list at the moment. It has not been mentioned.”
Luke Laulilii will become the 300th player to represent the Warriors in an NRL match. Photo / Photosport
Warriors v Knights line-ups
Cleary and Hanson make for a new halves combination as late changes for Martin – who was expected to return from injury in the contest – and Harris-Tavita.
Meanwhile, mid-season recruit Luke Laulilii will become the 300th player to represent the Warriors after being named on the wing in place of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who is sidelined after surgery on his broken collarbone.
Ali Leiataua also returns to the starting side at centre, pushing Adam Pompey back to the bench, while Morgan Gannon has been named among the reserves.
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Luke Laulilii, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Leka Halasima, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 22. Luke Hanson, 23. Jett Cleary, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark.
Interchange (from): 14. Sam Healey, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 18. Adam Pompey, 20. Morgan Gannon, 21. Makaia Tafua.
For the Knights, centre Dane Gagai’s return from a hamstring injury means Fletcher Hunt moves out to the wing to replace the suspended Dom Young.
Forward Tyson Frizell is also missing through suspension, while Kiwis hooker Phoenix Crossland is out after undergoing knee surgery. They have been replaced in the starting side by Francis Manuleleua and Harrison Graham respectively.
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Fletcher Hunt, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Fletcher Sharpe, 7. Sandon Smith, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Harrison Graham, 10. Trey Mooney, 11. Jermaine McEwen, 12. Francis Manuleleua, 13. Mathew Croker.
Interchange (from): 14. Thomas Cant, 15. Cody Hopwood, 16. Lachlan Crouch, 17. Pasami Saulo, 18. Toby Winter, 19. Diesel Hagan, 20. Kyle McCarthy.
Kalyn Ponga is in the Knights’ starting line-up. Photo / Photosport
Where will the match be won?
For the Warriors, shutting down Ponga will be a priority. The Knights fullback is the focal point of their attack and, particularly in broken play, has the ability to turn a game on its head in an instant.
They will also need to keep a close eye on centre Bradman Best, who provides enormous power on Newcastle’s left edge. Expect the Knights to target that side of the field, particularly given the Warriors have shown vulnerability there at times this season.
One of the Warriors’ biggest strengths in recent weeks has been their ability to lay the platform for victory early.
They have set the physical tone from the opening exchanges, forcing opponents on to the back foot and, more often than not, leaving them unable to respond.
Newcastle’s forward pack will therefore need to meet the Warriors’ physicality and prevent them from establishing that early dominance.
With a home elimination final potentially on the line, expect the Knights to take their chances with the ball, using second-phase play and shifting it wide to create space for their dangerous outside backs.
Warriors v Knights history and recent matches
The two sides have enjoyed a fairly even rivalry throughout their years, with the Warriors holding a 28-25 advantage, while the teams played out an 18-18 draw in 2000.
At Mt Smart Stadium, the Warriors have had the upper hand, winning 15 of their 25 meetings with Newcastle. The Knights have claimed nine victories, with the other encounter ending in a draw.
The Warriors have also outscored Newcastle 622-479 across those matches.
The Warriors’ biggest victory over the Knights came in 2007, when they won 52-10. Newcastle’s biggest win came much earlier, with the Knights recording a 48-6 triumph in 1995.
Recent history is in the Warriors’ favour as they have won five of the last six games against Newcastle, while the Knights have not tasted victory in New Zealand since 2019.
Back in round three, the Warriors beat the Knights 38-12.
The early 2000s were the highlights of this rivalry with many high-class battles between halfback Stacey Jones and Andrew Johns.
A host of players have also represented both clubs including current Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett, Cooper Vuna, cousins Evarn and Carlos Tuimavave and Blake Green, while Nathan Brown coached both teams.
Warriors players after their loss to the Knights in 2020. Photo / Photosport
Three memorable matches
The two sides have played out many thrilling battles over the years – here are three that spring to mind.
Warriors 30-26 Knights, April 17, 2005
The Warriors produced the biggest comeback in club history when they stormed home to beat the Knights in Newcastle.
Trailing by 20 points in the first half, the Warriors launched a remarkable fightback and took advantage of the Knights losing Johns in the second half to level the scores.
With the match seemingly destined for extra time with both teams missing field goals, Francis Meli crossed for the match-winning try in the final minute to complete one of the most famous comebacks in Warriors history.
Warriors 0-20 Knights, March 14, 2020
While this game won’t be remembered for what happened on the field, it remains one of the more memorable fixtures because of what unfolded off it.
During the match, then-New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern announced anyone travelling to New Zealand would be required to self-isolate for 14 days as the Covid-19 pandemic began to spread around the world.
A number of Warriors squad members returned home, but the club ultimately elected to remain in Australia. They played one more match before the NRL season was suspended, bringing an unprecedented period of uncertainty to the competition.
Warriors 20-15 Knights – July 20, 2025
This game produced one of the most iconic moments in recent Warriors memory when Leka Halasima pounced on a charged-down field goal attempt to race 40m and score the match-winning try after the siren.
The Warriors had a chance to win moments earlier, but Tanah Boyd’s penalty goal attempt went wide with 30 seconds remaining.
Boyd then opted to take a two-point field goal, only for his attempt to be deflected into the hands of Halasima.
The young back-rower spotted a gap and raced towards the line, carrying three defenders with him before slamming the ball down to seal a famous victory.
The Warriors are on a four-match win streak. Photo / Photosport
Form guide (past five matches)
The Warriors head into the contest having won four of their last five outings, including four straight.
In those four wins against the Gold Coast Titans Panthers, Brisbane Broncos and Rabbitohs, the Warriors have scored 155 points while only conceding 50.
The lone loss came against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
During the same period, the Knights have won three of their last five, and are coming off a shock 44-24 defeat to the Manly Sea Eagles.
Warriors v Knights TAB odds
Warriors $1.38 Knights $3.05
Warriors v Knights – how to follow the action
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreamed on Sky Sport Now. Coverage starts at 3.30pm.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.