2026 R3 Sat - Newcastle 12-38 Warriors @ McDonald Jones

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2026 - Round 3
Newcastle Knights v Warriors
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal (TICKETS)

Saturday 21 March 2026
Kickoff 3:00pm AEDT
Live on Fox League, Kayo Sports, Sky Sport NZ

1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Thomas Cant 15. Mathew Croker 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Francis Manuleleua 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Harrison Graham 20. Elijah Leaumoana 21. Cody Hopwood 22. James Schiller

Changes from last match:
Out: Kalyn Ponga (fullback), Dylan Brown (halfback)
In: Fletcher Sharpe (five-eighth), Thomas Cant (bench), Francis Manuleleua (bench), Tyson Gamble (bench)
Changes: Sandon Smith (five-eighth to halfback), Mat Croker (lock to bench), Tyson Frizell (bench to lock), Fletcher Hunt (bench to fullback)

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Luke Hanson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Demitric Vaimauga 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith 17. Marata Niukore 18. Morgan Gannon 20. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 21. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 22. Jett Cleary 23. Mitchell Barnett

Changes from last match:
Out: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (fullback), Chanel Harris-Tavita (five-eighth)
In: Luke Hanson (five-eighth), Marata Niukore (bench), Morgan Gannon (bench), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (bench)
Changes: Taine Tuaupiki (bench to fullback)

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Sideline Officials: Belinda Sharpe, Jon Stone
Video Referee: Adam Gee

HEAD TO HEAD - 1995 - 2025​

	TOTAL	NEWCASTLE	WARRIORS	DRAWN
ALL MATCHES	53	25	27	1
MCD. JONES	23	14	9	0

LAST FIVE MEETINGS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2023	Semi Final	WARRIORS 40-10	Go Media	26083
2024	Round 4	WARRIORS 20-12	Go Media	24112
2024	Round 9	NEWCASTLE 14-8	McD. Jones	16094
2025	Round 8	WARRIORS 26-12	Apollo	17095
2025	Round 20	WARRIORS 20-15	McD. Jones	21117

BIGGEST WINS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
1995	Round 9	NEWCASTLE 48-6	Marathon	22136
1999	Round 25	WARRIORS 42-0	Ericsson	15385
2007	Round 20	WARRIORS 52-10	Mt Smart	11301

NEXT FOUR MATCHES​

	Round 4	Round 5	Round 6	Round 7
NEWCASTLE	CANTERBURY (A)	CANBERRA (H)	WESTS TIGERS (A)	SYDNEY (A)
WARRIORS	WESTS TIGERS (H)	CRONULLA (A)	MELBOURNE (A)	GOLD COAST (H)

LAST THREE MATCHES​

	Round 1		Round 2
NEWCASTLE	NORTH QLD	W 28-18	MANLY	W 36-16
WARRIORS	SYDNEY	W 42-18	CANBERRA	W 40-6

STATE OF PLAY: 2026 SEASON​

	POSITION	PLAYED	BYES	W-L-D	FOR	AGAINST
NEWCASTLE	4th	2	0	2-0-0	64	34
WARRIORS	2nd	2	0	2-0-0	82	24

 

[mozza91]

Game of the Round? I think we’ll aim up even with our stars missing. Don’t know if it’ll be enough to win but surely the boys want payback after the heartbreaking loss last year.

 

[Fangs]

Newy have key player injuries but so do the Warriors. And its also the Warriors first time on the road in 2026.

I don't think anyone had this one marked down on their calendar as must watch. But both teams are in fighting form. Should be a fun contest. Leaning to NZ but upset to Newy has potential.

 

[mozza91]

Ponga out for 2 months and Brown a month. If we were the Roosters/Rabbitohs you’d almost say we have injuries.

 

[SLRBRONCOS]

Ponga out for 2 months and Brown a month. If we were the Roosters/Rabbitohs you’d almost say we have injuries.

Pretty sad for your mob, your attack was looking so good.

 

[mozza91]

Pretty sad for your mob, your attack was looking so good.

God hates us for sure. The blokes who come in will have a dig and I give us a chance of an upset this week. The following month is gonna be f**king grim though.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Good test for our boys, Newy are in good form despite their outs and we’re missing a big chunk of salary cap as well. Should be a great contest.

 

[Valheru]

Newcastle have played cowboys and Manly, both of whom coaches won't see out the season so not sure we can say they are in good form

Warriors by 16

 

[Diesel]

Definately a game of the round but it’ll get no airtime due to 2 non-Sydney teams playing.

Both teams with plenty of injuries but the Wahs have the advantage of knowing this pre-season.

Wahs by 6

 

[mozza91]

I think we’ve got the slightly better backline but they’ve got us covered in the forwards. Hoping Boyd won’t have 3 good games on the trot and the new kid will struggle.

 

[Someone2]

Warriors by 16

 

[Evil_Mush]

Warriors are a chance to go three in a row to start the season for only the second time in our history (after 2018 5-win streak).

So a little bit nervous for this one 🫣

 

[Diesel]

Sharpe not making it through training. gotta feel for the Knights and their fans

 

[Woody90]

Sharpe not making it through training. gotta feel for the Knights and their fans

Nah, having 3 best players and 3/4 of the spine out is only noteworthy if you’re Souths or the Roosters.

 

[Valheru]

Nah, having 3 best players and 3/4 of the spine out is only noteworthy if you’re Souths or the Roosters.

Garbage

Ponga, Brown and Sharpe being out is f**king brutal and well worth mentioning.

Only sooks would not recognise when other teams have a severe injury list.

 

[Exsilium]

Garbage

Ponga, Brown and Sharpe being out is f**king brutal and well worth mentioning.

Only sooks would not recognise when other teams have a severe injury list.

I cant see the Knights winning this one but they played bloody well without their spine

 

[Vic Mackey]

Certainly not glossing over the Knights losses, however barely been mentioned that the Wahs are also missing their 1/6/7, a centre, an origin back rower and an origin prop. So much adversity on show this Sunday.

Have loved what both teams have done to start the year and is great that one will be 3-0 to start the year. I believe that team will be NZ.

 

[Exsilium]

Certainly not glossing over the Knights losses, however barely been mentioned that the Wahs are also missing their 1/6/7, a centre, an origin back rower and an origin prop. So much adversity on show this Sunday.

Have loved what both teams have done to start the year and is great that one will be 3-0 to start the year. I believe that team will be NZ.

We love adversity here on LU

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

Should be an easy win for the Wazns today. Knights with all of their best players out.

 

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