Warriors vs Knights NRL Round 2 betting tips – 19/3/2021

Warriors vs Knights betting preview

Nathan Brown was effectively sacked at the end of 2019 NRL season by the Knights, and he gets a chance to take on his old club this Friday night after falling into the New Zealand Warriors job. They Kiwis showed last week against the Gold Coast that they will be a handful in 2021, and their big forward pack is their bread and butter.

The Newcastle Knights will still be without the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Blake Green and now Kurt Mann as playmaking options, but youngster Phoenix Crossland may fill the void after serving a one-game suspension. Bradman Best also comes into the game under an injury cloud with an ankle issue, while the Knights have a strangely unhappy record on the Central Coast given it is effectively a second home venue for them.

Key matchup: Daniel Saifiti vs Addin Fonua-Blake

Both prop rotations starred in round one, and it will be no different in this game. Daniel Saifiti and David Klemmer were immense for the Knights, while Addin Fonua-Blake’s debut with the Warriors caught the attention of everyone. Newcastle were able to generate more second-phase football, which cost Canterbury dearly, and if the Warriors don’t lock up the football at the ruck, their big forwards will tire quickly. Newcastle were also one of the better teams in 2020 and round one of 2021 when it came to conceding ‘six again’ calls, which is another area the Warriors can’t afford to lose.

New Zealand Warriors betting info

Ken Maumalo will no doubt get a chance to cross on the left edge in this game, as he is faced with two considerably smaller and less experienced players in Starford To’a and Enari Tuala. The Knights’ edges looked the most vulnerable to letting in points against Canterbury, and the Warriors will look to challenge them there once again and ensure they have to make a lot of good decisions. Maumalo needs next to no space, so the Warriors should love that match up.

New Zealand Warriors

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. David Fusitu’a
3. Euan Aitken
4. Peta Hiku
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Chanel Harris-Tavita
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Wayde Egan
10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
11. Eliesa Katoa
12. Bayley Sironen
13. Tohu Harris
14. Jazz Tevaga
15. Ben Murdoch-Masila
16. Leeson Ah Mau
17. Bunty Afoa

Newcastle Knights betting info

Connor Watson proved a handful when he came on against the Bulldogs, and he will no doubt do the same against the Warriors. We can’t be sure that he will score this week, but he showed he can set up for others at the back end of halves like he did for Mitch Barnett. If the Knights start winning the middle, it brings Tex Hoy in as a great option to score at any time with his sniffing around the ruck.

Newcastle Knights

1. Tex Hoy
2. Starford To’a
3. Enari Tuala
4. Bradman Best
5. Gehamat Shibasaki
6. Kurt Mann
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. David Klemmer
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Mitchell Barnett
13. Connor Watson
14. Sauaso Sue
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Josh King
17. Brodie Jones

Knights vs Warriors betting predictions

The Warriors are slight outsiders at the moment, but by Friday evening it could be a 50/50 proposition. The 1.5 line is a dangerous option, but we like the Knights by 1-12 points at $3.10 for this clash.

Knights vs Warriors NRL same game multi

If you take the Knights at the small margin and gamble on Tex Hoy and Elisea Katoa to cross the line at any time, you can get a very tasty payout of $46.75 at Sportsbet.com.au.