Pick Your Team NZ Warriors v Newcastle Knights - [Round 3, 2026]

[ShaunJohnson7]

I noticed this wasn't up so thought I'd take the honour this week.

Don't think we need to change much obviously....if CHT is out I guess you have to put CNK there and that allows Taine to play at FB again.

Only other question really is if Barnett is ready who makes way? No one deserves to make way, certainly not TSS in my view. Maybe no one has to if Capes is out again, not sure how bad the calf is?

As they say, good problems to have.

 

[John Nick]

I noticed this wasn't up so thought I'd take the honour this week.

Don't think we need to change much obviously....if CHT is out I guess you have to put CNK there and that allows Taine to play at FB again.

Only other question really is if Barnett is ready who makes way? No one deserves to make way, certainly not TSS in my view. Maybe no one has to if Capes is out again, not sure how bad the calf is?

As they say, good problems to have.

I thought TSS was huge last night. Really stood up in the big time.

 

[NZWarriors.com]

NZ Warriors v Newcastle Knights - [Round 3, 2026]
PICK YOUR TEAM
Saturday 21st March 5:00pm NZST
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle​

Here's your chance to select your dream team for the next rounds match so don your coaches cap on and lets hear it.

This thread will be closed without notice once the TEAM LIST thread opens for this game...

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

1- Taine
2- DWZ
3- Ali
4- Pompey
5- RTS

6- CNK
7- Boyd
8- JFH
9- Egan
10- Ford

11- Laban
12- Halasima
13- Clark

14- Healey
15- Demi
16- TSS
17- Niukore

 

[Dannevegas]

Gannon in for Capewell

 

[sup42]

1. Taine
2. Dallin
3. CNK
4. Pompey
5. Roger
6. Gannon/Cassius Tia/Cleary
7. Boyd
8. James
9. Wade
10. Jackson
11. Halasima
12. Laban
13. Clark


14. Niukore
15. Vaimauga
16. Tanner Stowers Smith
17. Healy.

 

[Playdaball]

Any word around CNK - can he play against the Knights next week, after his head knock?

 

[CWC]

1- Taine
2- DWZ
3- Ali
4- Pompey
5- RTS

6- CNK
7- Boyd
8- JFH
9- Egan
10- Ford

11- Laban
12- Halasima
13- Clark

14- Healey
15- Demi
16- Barney/TSS
17- Niukore/EIT
18- Hansen
19- Niukore/EIT

Picked Hansen cuz if Boyd goes down we’re f’ed. TSS outstanding but if Barney returns we need a second rower to share minutes with the 2 Ls

 

[WAH MAN]

EIT

Mr Fixit for bench middle edge or centre.

Sounds whacky but Leiataua has experience at 6. Dunno if he was any good but.

Otherwise put Roger at the back and give AKP or Mellars a debut outside Pompey.

I'd actually consider putting Cassius in the 19 role. He might have the temperament and kahunas to step up if needed.

 

[roguei]

1- Taine
2- DWZ
3- Ali
4- Pompey
5- RTS

6- CNK
7- Boyd
8- JFH
9- Egan
10- Ford

11- Laban
12- Halasima
13- Clark

14- Healey
15- Demi
16- Barney/TSS
17- Niukore/EIT
18- Hansen
19- Niukore/EIT

Picked Hansen cuz if Boyd goes down we’re f’ed. TSS outstanding but if Barney returns we need a second rower to share minutes with the 2 Ls

Just shift clark back to 7. As we saw last night, he's still knows how to kick. But you bring up a good point, boyd goes down and we would be fucked on end of set kicking. Put on hanson and then we're pretty much 1 to 1 with the NSW cup winning spine once healey subs with egan.

 

[CWC]

Just shift clark back to 7. As we saw last night, he's still knows how to kick. But you bring up a good point, boyd goes down and we would be fucked on end of set kicking. Put on hanson and then we're pretty much 1 to 1 with the NSW cup winning spine once healey subs with egan.

Erinaldo Clark, should be at the other world cup this year

 

[The Undertaker]

1. CNK / TT if Pompey out
2. DWZ
3. Ali
4. Pompey / CNK if Pompey out
5, RTS
6. Hanson (debut)
7. Boyd
8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Ford
11. Halasima
12. Laban
13. Clarke

14. Healey
15. Demetric
16. Barnett (Assuming is fit)
17. Gannon
18. TSS
20. TT / AKP if Pompey out

21. Niukore
22. AKP

 

[Tragic]

Gannon looked good this week in reserves, seems to have a sense of where to be and where to run. I wouldn't be afraid of putting him in as a running 6 instead of CNK but Taine also played well enough that he should be in the team. Good times.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

1 T Tuaupiki
2 D W Zelezniak
3 A Leiataua
4 A Pompey
5 R T Sheck
6 L Hanson
7 T Boyd
8 J F Harris c
9 W Egan
10 J Ford
11 L Halasima
12 J Laban
13 E Ckark

14 S Healey
15 M Barnett
16 D Vaimauga
17 M Gannon
18 A K Pereira
19 T S Smith

I think Hanson has earned a Debut, and also I like the idea of giving a debut when the team is playing well.

 

[John Nick]

1 T Tuaupiki
2 D W Zelezniak
3 A Leiataua
4 A Pompey
5 R T Sheck
6 L Hanson
7 T Boyd
8 J F Harris c
9 W Egan
10 J Ford
11 L Halasima
12 J Laban
13 E Ckark

14 S Healey
15 M Barnett
16 D Vaimauga
17 M Gannon
18 A K Pereira
19 T S Smith

I think Hanson has earned a Debut, and also I like the idea of giving a debut when the team is playing well.

Yes .The less disruption the better.

 

[sup42]

Gannon looked good this week in reserves, seems to have a sense of where to be and where to run. I wouldn't be afraid of putting him in as a running 6 instead of CNK but Taine also played well enough that he should be in the team. Good times.

Yeah I picked Gannon at stand off in my line up.

He has played there almost his whole Footballing life so it only makes sense compared to using the usual cock killing options the Warriors go with.

I want a passer of the ball, is that too much to ask? Pass on CNK running and dying with the ball or any of the others.

Otherwise I picked Cassius Tia, because he is probably tough enough to handle the contact compared to the younger Cleary who is still very young.

 

[WAH MAN]

Yeah I picked Gannon at stand off in my line up.

He has played there almost his whole Footballing life so it only makes sense compared to using the usual cock killing options the Warriors go with.

I want a passer of the ball, is that too much to ask? Pass on CNK running and dying with the ball or any of the others.

Otherwise I picked Cassius Tia, because he is probably tough enough to handle the contact compared to the younger Cleary who is still very young.

With you on Cassius

 

[John Nick]

Yeah I picked Gannon at stand off in my line up.

He has played there almost his whole Footballing life so it only makes sense compared to using the usual cock killing options the Warriors go with.

I want a passer of the ball, is that too much to ask? Pass on CNK running and dying with the ball or any of the others.

Otherwise I picked Cassius Tia, because he is probably tough enough to handle the contact compared to the younger Cleary who is still very young.

I am going with the least possible changes to the winning team

 

[Completion Rate]

I think we've seen some strategic genius by Webby with the squad list.
Taine is the perfect fullback in wet conditions. His agility and acceleration puts forwards on their heels and gives him that late pass sweep play option.
On a dry track he gets collared and ragdolled and Chanze is better suited at fullback for the mahi runs that build ruck speed.
With the new interchange changes we might see some cool horses for courses decisions able to be made.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

I think we've seen some strategic genius by Webby with the squad list.
Taine is the perfect fullback in wet conditions. His agility and acceleration puts forwards on their heels and gives him that late pass sweep play option.
On a dry track he gets collared and ragdolled and Chanze is better suited at fullback for the mahi runs that build ruck speed.
With the new interchange changes we might see some cool horses for courses decisions able to be made.

basically Taine's the man for every home game and CNK for every game in Aussie? haha. Not sure I like the idea of changing combinations every time the big fella upstairs decides to mess with the natural climate.

I think when it comes to TT vs CNK, it is either or I'm afraid. CNK goes missing at center and TT is too short to be much of an aerial threat as a winger/center. Webby probably understands this and is leaning towards Taine as our longer term FB. Probably why TT re-signed: he's been given some sort of assurance that he is indeed part of this long term thinking.