Live: New-look Knights face Warriors without its two biggest stars

Jackson Ford has scored a try in his 100th NRL match.

Mitch Barnett, in his comeback match, took the ball to the line and gave a brilliant pass to Ford. That was a pass that looked like it came from a halfback, not from a forward.

Ford touches down without a hand laid on him.

Knights 6

Warriors 12

The Warriors believed they had scored a second try.

Centre Ali Leiataua out-jumped Bradman Best, caught a ball on the goal-line, and scored the try.

But the Bunker was immediately called in, as ref Liam Kennedy believed Leiataua was offside from the kick.

Great call, Kennedy. Leiataua was offside, and the Warriors are penalised.

Knights 6

Warriors 6

Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd has kicked a penalty goal from 10 metres in front to level the scores.

The Warriors have spent several minutes attacking the Knights’ goal-line.

Newcastle’s discipline has not been great; referee Liam Kennedy has given so many six-again restarts, I reckon his right arm would be tired.

The Warriors have turned down chances to kick for goal from other full penalties, but this time they have decided to level the game.

Knights 6

Warriors 6

Newcastle’s five-eighth has had a brilliant start to this match.

He has just produced a try-saving tackle. Warriors prop James Fisher-Harris looked certain to score, but as the big man reached for the line, Tyson Gamble stuck out an arm and forced a knock-on.

This is the third wonderful piece of player from Gamble.

His perfect kick for Fletcher Hunt resulted in the first try of the match.

He also forced a goal-line dropout by chasing his own kick and tackling Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki in-goal.

Knights 6

Warriors 4

The Warriors got a chance to attack the Knights’ goal line, and they scored their first try.

Star lock Erin Clark ran through a lovely hole, with halfback Tanah Boyd delivering a perfect short pass.

The Warriors may have been a little fortunate, as they got an extra set at the Newcastle line after winger Greg Marzhew was penalised for a dangerous tackle, as he and Warriors winger  Dallin Watene-Zelezniak jumped for the ball.

Boyd misses the conversion; it hits the post.

Knights 6

Warriors 4

ABC Sport’s Bridget Murphy is on the sideline at Hunter Stadium and has confirmed that Warriors debutant Morgan Gannon has been listed as a category 1 HIA.

That will end his day. He will not be allowed to return.

Marata Niukore has been activated from the Warriors bench.

Knights 6

Warriors 0

NRL debutant Morgan Gannon has just been taken off the field.

He was part of a three-player tackle on Newcastle’s Jacob Saifiti, and the poor Englishman was left prone on the ground.

He has been taken off for a Head Injury Assessment.

Knights 6

Warriors 0

Newcastle fullback Fletcher Hunt has scored the first try of the afternoon.

The Knights were aided by a six-again restart, which allowed them to attack deep into the Warriors’ territory.

Five-eighth Tyson Gamble puts in a kick to the goal line, and Hunt leapt over the pack to catch the footy and landed in-goal for the try.

The conversion is successful.

Knights 6

Warriors 0

Referee Liam Kennedy blows his whistle to begin Saturday’s NRL action.

The Warriors kick off, and they will run to the left of your screen.

Jacob Saifiti takes the first hit-up, and the Warriors’ defence meet him with enthusiasm.

The Knights enjoy a strong set and kick clear from near the halfway.

The Warriors have a good first set as well, with Tanah Boyd being able to put up a bomb-kick, which is well handled by the Knights.

Impressive start from both sides.

The players are out on the field. 

Join the conversation thoughout the afternoon in the comment section.

You can listen to the NRL, wherever you are, with ABC Sport online.

Here is the officiating crew for the first match today.

• Referee: Liam Kennedy
• Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
• Touch Judge: Jon Stone
• Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

There is great news out of the St George Illawarra club.

Loko Pasifiki Tonga is expected to be playing in just a few weeks, after being taken to hospital in an ambulance from training on Thursday.

The club said Pasifiki Tonga was taken as a precaution with an apparent neck injury.

But the great news is this was only precaution, and head coach Shane Flanagan expects the young forward to be playing very soon.

“He’s fine, he’s back doing some rehab running today. He’s a bit sore but he’ll be OK. We’ll just reassess him next week,” Flanagan said, as reported by AAP.

“We’re lucky that there’s no damage and he’ll be right in the next week or two.”

Penrith sent another ominous warning shot to the competition.

Brisbane, finally got kicked started their premiership defence.

Sydney and Melbourne have the rest of the weekend to reflect on what went wrong.

Catch-up on Friday’s NRL action by tapping the link below.

The Newcastle Knights have made the perfect start to 2026, with a pair of wins in the opening two rounds.

It is a far cry from the side that was on a big losing streak to end the 2025 season.

But last week’s win over Manly came at a cost, with captain and fullback Kalyn Ponga, and high-priced recruit Dylan Brown going down injured.

Fletcher Hunt will be fullback for Newcastle today, while Tyson Gamble is going to play five-eighth, joining Sandon Smith in the halves.

Gamble was not the first choice at five-eighth. That was Fletcher Sharpe, but he will not be making his return from a knee injury sustained in the opening round in Las Vegas.

By coincidence, the Warriors also lost a half and their fullback last weekend. Chanel Harris-Tavita (five-eighth) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (fullback) are both out of today’s lineup.

Taine Tuaupiki will play fullback for the Warriors, and Luke Hanson joins Tanah Boyd in the halves.

Want to plan your afternoon around the footy?

Here are the kick-off times for today’s three NRL matches:

• 3pm: Knights vs Warriors
• 5:30pm: Sharks vs Dolphins
• 7:35pm: Rabbitohs vs Tigers

*all times in AEDT

Hello to you.

Welcome back to ABC Sport’s live digital coverage of the 2026 NRL premiership season.

We are about to embark on a good day of footy — three matches are coming our way.

Our day starts in Newcastle as the Knights host the Warriors.

We travel south to Cronulla as the Sharks face the Dolphins.

Then we head back north to Gosford, where the Rabbitohs are the home team against the Tigers.

You can join the conversation and let us know your thoughts on all things footy in the comment section.