NZ Warriors 2023 Finals Week 2 Review: Finals Charge continues as Warriors Dominate Knights

After losing to the Panthers in Finals Week 1, the Warriors returned to Go Media Stadium for the final time in 2023 to host a Knights team on a ten-game winning streak in their first home finals match since 2008.

An amazing sell-out crowd that created a goosebumps-inducing environment got to witness the dominant display that they had been begging to see for the past six weeks as the Warriors made a statement with a 40-10 victory, setting up a clash against the Broncos in the Preliminary Finals.

What Went Down

A mistake by Knights winger Greg Marzhew in the game's opening set opened the door for Shaun Johnson to lay on a try for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who left Bradman Best in his wake to make it 4-0.

Johnson then earned his team a repeat set with a pinpoint grubber, and the Knights cracked for a second time when Addin Fonua-Blake powered over from close range, and the lead was 10 for the home side.

Left winger Marcelo Montoya was next to hit the scoresheet when he finished off some slick passing from Te Maire Martin and Adam Pompey to dot down for his 10th try of the season. Pompey's conversion made it 16-0.

The Knights then steadied and worked their way upfield, where mistakes by Johnson and Montoya gave the visitors a chance to click into gear, and Marzhew crossed in the 26th minute for a much-needed try in what was the last scoring play of the first half with the Warriors holding a commanding 16-4 lead as the sides entered the sheds.

The Knights needed only three minutes to strike first in the second term when Adam Clune put Dylan Lucas over, and the margin was back to six points.

It took the Warriors just four minutes to answer the challenge when Wayde Egan schemed out of dummy half and found a surging Dylan Walker for the home side's fourth try. Pompey added the extras from close range to make it 22-10.

The Warriors extended their lead on the hour mark when Dallin Watene-Zelezniak produced a miracle pass to find Rocco Berry, and the centre carried three defenders over the line to grab a try that brought the house down in Auckland.

With 15 minutes to play, the Warriors officially stamped their ticket to a preliminary final when Egan, Johnson and Nicoll-Klokstad combined perfectly to send Watene-Zelezniak over for his 22nd try of the season.

A late try to Bayley Sironen out of dummy half put the finishing touches on the emphatic 40-10 win.

My Thoughts

That was the perfect way to end the Warrior's campaign on this side of the Tasman. The crowd was electric, and the team rode that atmosphere all the way to an emphatic victory. I predicted a close win for the Warriors and was well off the mark, and I couldn't be happier about it.

The Knights have been on a hell of a roll the past few months, and were a team I was worried about the Warriors facing, but I think their energy-sapping win last week may have taken its toll.

This game was almost an exact copy of the Warriors Panthers match last week, with the Knights playing the part of the Warriors in this game. They were missing their regular halfback, made too many errors and couldn't get their way into the match due to the enormous pressure the Warriors put them under. It was just the bounceback the Warriors needed and should be a welcome confidence booster before what will be a tough match against the Broncos.

The Warriors started quick, punishing the Knight's mistakes with a much improved attacking structure. Newcastle did look like they would make this a contest after scoring tries on either side of the halftime break, but the Warriors defended well, shutting down Kalyn Ponga before putting their foot down and blowing them off the park. It is right up there for me as one of the better performances from the Warriors this season, and if they can stay at this level, then they have a decent shot at scoring an upset in Brisbane.

I've been saying this team is special all season, and they have exceeded my expectations. And there are still more chapters to write (at least one, but I'm hoping for two). Do we dare to dream?

There were plenty of things from this match to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

After criticising the Warriors for getting rolled up the middle last week, they more than delivered this here. Four of the forwards crossed my triple-digit target, led by Tohu Harris (228m), followed by Jackson Ford (188m), Mitchell Barnett (151m) and Addin Fonua-Blake (117m).  With SJ out there with a dodgy calf, it was up to the big boys to make his life easier, and it worked a treat. It helped that the Knights were without Daniel Saifiti, but the result would have been the same even if he was out there. The pack will need another big night against a formidable Broncos pack this week.

Speaking of SJ, he had a tremendous night out, setting up the night's first try and playing a big part in several more. Like many others, I spent the week checking the social media outlets to see if he would play, and I sighed in relief when I saw him jog out for the warm-up. And to be honest, he didn't look that hampered by his injury, with his kicking game adding a much-needed boost to the Warrior's play. He will be integral to the Warriors Grand Final hopes, so it was good to see him make it through the match with no issues. And the reaction he got when he left the field early and walked around the stadium gave me goosebumps. It's been a great year for him, and fingers crossed, a Dally M medal is heading his way.

It was great to see the Warriors successfully build pressure; those SJ kicks to the corners forced the Knights to start most sets deep in their own half, and almost every hit-up was driven back. It was an incredible sight to see, and more of that will be needed big time this week.

And lastly, that crowd, I have been privileged to go to pretty much every Mt Smart game for the last 18 years as a member and many more before then, and whenever I'm asked about which game had the best atmosphere, I always say the same one, the 2008 blackout vs the Roosters. 

Well, that is gone now as this match and the crowd were the best I have ever seen; being there live was electric and watching the game again when I got home got me emotional hearing the roar of the crowd, the singing and chanting were all things we haven't experienced that much in our little old stadium in Penrose but man I hope it sticks around.

Also, it was great catching up again or meeting people for the first time with so many people that I watch or listen to that deliver content about this team we all love.

Will from This Warriors Life, The Warriorholic, Levon from Wahs Up podcast, Dan from Warriors Anoynomous and the lads from Warriors Fan TV. I love chatting Footy and this club, and with so many of my friends and family not interested, it's great to have you guys to chat with, so I appreciate the meetup and have my fingers crossed for more in the future.

However, I did have a concern, which brings me to my negative from the game.

Match Negative

I still thought the Warriors made too many errors for finals football, ending the match with 10. There is an asterisk on that figure, though, as some of those errors were from attempted intercepts and things like that. So it isn't all doom and gloom; however, as the errors have come down, it just needs to come down a smidge more, as the Broncos will punish them if they get a case of the dropsies. Brisbane has a similar error issue, so the Warriors could turn the tide and punish them back.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

This was one of CNK's best performances; he led the match with a massive 299 run metres, including 103 post-contact metres. Scored the first try, set up another and was a constant threat with the ball in hand, breaking 8 tackles. He was safe under the high ball and defensively sound; this is just another chapter in his story since returning to this club. He may not be a player full of flash and flair, but he is dependable, plays with heart, and always gives his all, and I wouldn't trade him for anyone.

Warrior to Improve

I didn't pick a Warrior to improve this week. They all did a great job out there, and I couldn't pinpoint anyone who let the side down, so instead, I want to highlight Tohu Harris.

The Skipper Put in another stellar display, leading the pack with 228 run metres, including a nice run into open space. He was near the top of defenders, making 39 tackles, and had a hand in several key moments in this match. He has been battling injuries since the start of the season but never lets anyone down. He is a true leader who commands respect from friends and foes alike, and he will go down in Warriors history as one of their greats and deservedly so.

Finals Week 3 Thoughts and Prediction

Finals Week 3 sees the Warriors make the trip to Suncorp Stadium to face the Brisbane Broncos, who got to sit out Week 2 of the finals due to their 26-0 win over the Storm in Week 1.

Regarding the team I would pick, I would stick with the same 17 the Warriors used against the Knights, there were a few niggles suffered by Wayde Egan, Josh Curran and Marata Niukore, but they should all be good to go this week. Johnson always appears to have got through the match unscathed, so I expect him to be ready to go, too.

A big battle here, facing a red-hot Broncos outfit at home, is a massive task. It is also the first time they will meet their former young superstar, Reece Walsh, who has been fantastic this season. He will be one of many threats the Warriors will need to shut down as this Brisbane outfit has talent left, right and centre, but if any team knows how to keep Walsh quiet, it will be the one he used to play for, so I'm sure they have some tricks at their sleeve for him. 

However, just like last week, the same approach needs to come into play here: reduce those errors, get those forwards rolling up the middle and open up the Broncos defensive line with some short balls before getting the ball out to the edges.

The crowd in Suncorp will be crazy, and I know there will be plenty of Warriors fans there, and they will make sure their voices are heard.

I think the Warriors can go across the ditch and score the upset; however, I am going to go with my head and not my heart and say the Broncos get the job done at home in a close match by 8. I really hope I am wrong, though, as I want to see the Warriors in the Grand Final.

So that was an amazing Finals Week 2, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

What did you think of the Stadiums Atmosphere?

Would you make any changes to the gameday 17?

Did you have a player to improve?

What is your score prediction against the Broncos?