NRL: Warriors outmuscle Knights in Christchurch

The New Zealand Warriors have made it back-to-back wins in the 2025 NRL season, grinding their way to a 26-12 victory over a struggling Newcastle Knights side in front of a packed house at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.

In a scrappy but committed ANZAC Day clash, the Warriors held firm under early pressure before capitalising on Newcastle’s mounting errors to build a commanding first-half lead. Winger Adam Pompey crossed early before Jackson Ford scored a double — the first of his career — as the hosts took a 16-0 lead into the break.

It was another frustrating outing for the Newcastle Knights, who have now lost five straight. Their attack again failed to fire, with just two tries across 80 minutes and 15 handling errors halting any momentum. Despite spells of pressure, Newcastle’s execution let them down at crucial moments, including two tries denied by the Bunker and a series of unforced mistakes.

The second half brought brief hope when Dane Gagai sliced through the line to set up James Schiller, cutting the deficit to 10 points. But just minutes later, a Luke Metcalf intercept flipped the momentum again, with the halfback sprinting 70 metres to set up Wayde Egan for a crucial reply.

Metcalf was superb in game management from there, pinning the Knights in their own half and setting the tone for a composed finish. He was ably supported by a relentless New Zealand Warriors pack, while Pompey added a second try in the 73rd minute to shut the door on any Newcastle comeback.

Brodie Jones added a late consolation for the Knights, but it was too little, too late.

Earlier, both teams were down to 12 men within the opening 10 minutes after sin bins for high shots — Marata Niukore for the Warriors and Leo Thompson for the Knights. The stop-start nature of the early exchanges eventually gave way to more fluent play from the hosts, who consistently found space through clever kicks and support play.

The Warriors’ ability to turn defence into attack — exemplified by Metcalf’s intercept and Ford’s awareness — proved the difference in a match where effort outweighed execution.

With the win, the Warriors head into next week’s Magic Round clash against the Cowboys with renewed confidence, while the Knights are left searching for answers as their season continues to unravel.

Their attacking woes — just 36 points across the last five matches — will be a major concern for coach Adam O’Brien, who needs a spark before the season slips away completely.

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