Warriors v Knights
Mt Smart Stadium, today, 8pm
Key match-up
He has had an up-and-down season but Roger Tuivasa-Sheck turned on his best form in last week’s upset of the Dragons. Everyone raved about the strength and smarts he displayed in his try-saving tackle on Tim Lafai, but the magic footwork and swerve were all back and he looked dangerous every time he touched the ball. RTS will be relishing his battle with 20-year-old star Kalyn Ponga.
For the Warriors to win
Stephen Kearney’s confidence in his side surely doubles whenever Issac Luke is in the line-up. Luke returned last week after a brief injury layoff and the Warriors’ will to win seems to always be stronger when he plays. The Warriors need to feed off his bursts from dummy-half to keep the Knights on the back foot all night, in addition to an effective kicking game from Shaun Johnson and Blake Green.
For the Knights to win
Nathan Brown will be crossing his fingers Mitchell Pearce doesn’t succumb to the leg injury that forced him from the field in the second half of last week’s loss to the Tigers. Ponga and the rest of the Knights stepped up in Pearce’s absence and went close to a comeback win, but their best chance of winning is to have Pearce calling the shots.
Stat Attack
Issac Luke will play his 250th NRL game against the Knights. Shaun Johnson leads the NRL in field goals (4), while Blake Green is equal leader in 40/20 kicks (2).