Finals dream over for Newcastle Knights
The Warriors have booked their spot in a preliminary final after dominating the Knights at Mt Smart Stadium.
A complete team performance with seven tryscorers, and Shaun Johnson’s two try assists, sealed the 40-10 win with a grand final qualifier against Brisbane in Brisbane the next fixture.
The victory is a remarkable turnaround for Andrew Webster’s side who finished 15th last year.
The Warriors were out of the blocks quick, running in three unanswered tries through Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Addin Fonua-Blake and Marcelo Montoya.
Newcastle eventually hit back in the 24th minute with prolific tryscorer Greg Marzhew going over to make it 16-4. The score remained the same at half-time.
The Knights struck first after the break with Dylan Lucas going over, however the dubious pass from Adam Clune brought boos from the crowd. But moments later the Warriors hit back with Dylan Walker slicing the Knights’ middle defence.
Centre Rocco Berry extended the lead in the 59th minute, using his power to overcome three Knights defenders and make it 28-10.
Moments later, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak made the victory a certainty when he crossed for his 22nd try of the season before Bayley Sironen put the icing on the cake right before full-time.
“The Warriors deserve this day and they needed this day,” NRL icon Phil Gould said on Nine’s coverage.
“Rugby league needed this day. They needed this day in New Zealand. New Zealand needed this day. What a wonderful, wonderful achievement by this side.”
