Newcastle Knights

Warriors win season opener over Newcastle Knights

The Warriors beat the Newcastle Knights 20-12 to continue the Knights hoodoo in New Zealand and start a new era of their own under coach Andrew Webster strongly.

RNZ reports the Knights have now only won two of their past 15 games in New Zealand and for the first time in six seasons they lost in round one.

The Knights were on the scoreboard less than two minutes into their season opener, scoring an easy try to Lachlan Fitzgibbon converted by new recruit Jackson Hastings.

Newcastle star Mitchell Pearce's wedding cancelled amid flirty text allegations

Pearce was due to be married on Tuesday to partner Kristin Scott in Byron Bay, but a report in the Daily Telegraph, which has been confirmed by the Sydney Morning Herald, revealed the wedding has now been called off.

The matter has been reported to Knights management, but no complaints have come from inside the club.

Some of the guests on the list of 150 were informed as late as Christmas Eve that the wedding had been cancelled. A number of big-name players, including Kieran Foran, had been invited to the wedding.

Saifiti shows up Broncos pack in big Knights win

Saifiti tore through some insipid first contact from the Broncos pack at every opportunity, helping himself to 226 metres and a try in two power-packed spells while for Brisbane, Payne Haas played a lone hand with Tevita Pangai jr producing a deeply forgettable return from a long suspension.

Some lovely touches from Mitch Pearce and Kalyn Ponga and yet another excellent game from Kurt Mann provided the points but it was Saifiti, his brother Jacob and David Klemmer that provided the platform, dominating the Broncos pack throughout.

Dragons, Knights to meet in Kogarah trial

All three senior grades will feature throughout the afternoon of Saturday, February 23, with first grade to commence at 6.30pm.

"This weekend is a fantastic opportunity for the Club to feature three grades at the one venue," Director of Football, Brian Canavan said.

"This match is a great chance for the team to see where it is positioned ahead of the 2019 season."

     

Pearce set for long stint on sidelines

Pearce left the field inside the final five minutes, with Jamie Buhrer filling in at halfback and placing a kick that resulted in the match-winning try to winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

Brown indicated post-game scans were set to confirm the extent of the injury but said it didn't look good.

The Knights coach also cleared any confusion during the game by confirming Pearce was replaced by Luke Yates as a free interchange - with Yates able to return to the field after passing a HIA examination.

Brown takes swipe at Bennett after Knights win

Bennett was coach of the Knights for three seasons from 2012-14, before Brown took over in 2016, and was given the task of rebuilding virtually from scratch. 

The former Dragon did not hold back in letting Bennett know that he holds him responsible for leaving the club in such a bad state, ending his post-match press conference after landing the blow.

"The reality is, when Wayne came to town, if he thought with his big head rather than his little head I wouldn’t have had to rebuild the joint," Brown said.

Nathan Ross humbled to join Knights leadership group

The 29-year old larrikin has made many headlines since his Telstra Premiership debut in 2015 for his fun-loving persona, quickly developing a cult following.

Despite being a footballer who is cheeky on and off the field, the winger's performances speak volumes and have led Knights coach Nathan Brown to award 'The Rossdog' the honour of being part of the club's leadership group this season.

Ross was elevated to the group along with high-profile teammates Jamie Buhrer, Sione Mata'utia, Mitchell Pearce, Aidan Guerra, Mitch Barnett and Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

Kostjasyn forced to retire

Kostjasyn sustained a complex throat injury during a routine pre-season training session in January. He has undergone a number of surgeries to repair the injury, however his airways have been significantly narrowed.

Mata'utia charged with tripping

Mata'utia faces a fine of $1100 if he enters an early guilty plea but risks a $1500 fine if he unsuccessfully fights the charge at the NRL judiciary.

There were no other charges from the weekend's Round 18 matches.

 

Photo by: Gregg Porteous: NRL Photos (Peter Mata'utia in action against the Bulldogs on Sunday). 

Gagai to leave Newcastle

Gagai joined the Knights in 2012 and has played 116 of his 122 NRL matches for Newcastle.

Gagai informed his teammates before joining the Queensland Maroons side in camp on Monday.

"We are obviously disappointed that Dane has decided to leave the Club, but we respect the decision he has made with his family," CEO Matt Gidley said.

"Dane has been a wonderful player and ambassador for our club over the six years he has been with us.

"He will leave at season's end with our best wishes for the future."