Live: Knights threaten NRL finals upset over Warriors as full-time nears
The New Zealand Warriors are in a new home, hosting the Newcastle Knights in an NRL semifinal at Eden Park.
The winner will face the Penrith Panthers in Sydney during next week's preliminary final weekend, while the loser's premiership hopes end.
Pinned
NRL semifinal Warriors vs Knights
Kick-off: 4:05pm AEST, 3:35pm ACST, 2:05pm AWST, 6:05pm NZST
Warriors: 1 Taine Tuaupiki, 2 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 3 Ali Leiataua, 22 Leka Halasima, 23 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Te Maire Martin, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitchell Barnett, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Jacob Laban, 13 Erin Clark; Interchange: 4 Adam Pompey, 5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 14 Sam Healey, 15 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Dominic Young, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Bradman Best, 5 Greg Marzhew, 6 Fletcher Sharpe, 7 Sandon Smith, 8 Tyson Frizell, 9 Phoenix Crossland, 10 Cody Hopwood, 11 Jermaine McEwen, 12 Francis Manuleleua, 13 Mat Croker; Interchange:14 Harrison Graham, 15 Lachlan Crouch, 16 Pasami Saulo, 17 Thomas Cant, 18 Fletcher Hunt, 22 Dylan Lucas
Officials: Referee: Ashley Klein; Touch Judges: Phil Henderson, Tyson Brough; Senior Review Official (Bunker): Chris Butler
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Knights team list
By Michael Doyle
By Michael Doyle
The Knights have been boosted by the return of State of Origin representative Dylan Lucas.
Lucas fractured his ankle in round 21 against the Roosters, but has recovered in time to be on the six-man bench for the Knights this afternoon.
Backs
1 Kalyn Ponga
2 Dominic Young
3 Dane Gagai
4 Bradman Best
5 Greg Marzhew
6 Fletcher Sharpe
7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
8 Tyson Frizell
9 Phoenix Crossland
10 Cody Hopwood
11 Jermaine McEwen
12 Francis Manuleleua
13 Mat Croker
Interchange
14 Harrison Graham
15 Lachlan Crouch
16 Pasami Saulo
17 Thomas Cant
18 Fletcher Hunt
22 Dylan Lucas
Key Event
Warriors team list
By Michael Doyle
By Michael Doyle
The Warriors have made two late changes to their side.
Leka Halasima (22) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (23) have been named in the starting side at centre and wing.
Adam Pompey (4) and Alofiana Khan-Pereira (5) have gone back to the interchange bench.
Jett Cleary misses out, and Jackson Ford is unavailable after sustaining an injury last weekend.
Backs
1 Taine Tuaupiki
2 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
3 Ali Leiataua
22 Leka Halasima
23 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
7 Te Maire Martin
Forwards
8 James Fisher-Harris
9 Wayde Egan
10 Mitchell Barnett
11 Kurt Capewell
12 Jacob Laban
13 Erin Clark
Interchange
4 Adam Pompey
5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
14 Sam Healey
15 Tanner Stowers-Smith
16 Demitric Vaimauga
17 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Key Event
What time is kick-off in the NRL finals today?
By Michael Doyle
By Michael Doyle
Here are the kick-off times for this afternoon's NRL semifinal, in each state and territory.
New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights
- 4:05pm AEST: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, PNG
- 3:35pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory
- 2:05pm AWST: Western Australia
- 6:05pm NZST: New Zealand, Fiji
- 7:05pm: Tonga, Samoa
Key Event
Welcome to the ABC Sport NRL live blog
By Michael Doyle
By Michael Doyle
Good afternoon, Australia.
Welcome back to ABC Sport's live digital coverage of the 2026 NRL premiership season.
This afternoon, Auckland's Eden Park hosts a knockout semifinal between the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights.
The winner will face the Penrith Panthers in Sydney during next week's preliminary final weekend, while the loser's premiership hopes end.
Join the conversation and let us know your thoughts on the NRL finals in the comment section below.
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