New Zealand Warriors host Newcastle Knights in Round 26 of the 2026 NRL season at Go Media Stadium on Sunday, 30th August at 2:00 PM AEST. Read on for our full match preview, betting tips, and best odds.
The Warriors have surged into top spot and are warm favourites to consolidate that position at home against a Knights side coming off a jarring defeat.
FORM: The Warriors have won four straight, overcoming a second-half glitch and injury setbacks to beat Souths 45-26 in Sydney last week.
The Knights’ three-game winning run came to an end via a baffling 44-24 home loss to down-on-form Manly, getting outscored four tries to one in the second half.
INS AND OUTS: Mid-season recruit Luke Laulilii replaces injury Warriors wing star Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, while Ali Leiataua and Te Maire Martin return at the expense of Adam Pompey and Luke Hanson.
Dane Gagai returns from injury, so Fletcher Hunt goes to the wing to replace the suspended Dom Young. Francis Manuleleua returns in time to come in for the suspended Tyson Frizell and Harrison Graham is at hooker with Phoenix Crossland out injured.
KEY MATCH-UP: Ali Leiataua and Bradman Best will have their hands full with one another on Sunday afternoon.
HISTORY: The Warriors have won five of their last six against the Knights, including a 38-12 beatdown in Newcastle in Round 3.
KEY STAT: The Knights have not won in New Zealand since 2019. Adam Pompey has scored nine tries in 11 games against the Knights.
VERDICT: The Warriors appear to be timing their run perfectly, hitting top gear – despite continuing injury blows – while other contenders stumble. They are relentless on both sides of the ball and don’t rely on one or two players dominating consistently.
The Knights are in danger of letting a home elimination final slip, but this daunting trip to Auckland minus Young and Crossland (on top of an already well-patroned casualty ward) is among the most difficult places to turn around last week’s horrid home defeat.
Prediction: Back the Warriors to Win by 13+ @ $2.02
SGM: KNIGHTS UNDER 18.5 POINTS / LEKA HALASIMA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JACOB LABAN ANYTIME TRYSCORER / BRADMAN BEST ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $44.69
New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights Odds & Popular Betting Markets
Here’s a quick look at the current odds and popular betting markets for the New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights matchup.
*odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change
| Team | Odds | |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Knights (11.5) | 1.98 | Bet Now |
| New Zealand Warriors (-11.5) | 1.83 | Bet Now |
NRL odds correct as of 27/08/2026 and subject to change. Event scheduled to start at 30/08/2026 2:00pm AEST.
NRL odds correct as of 27/08/2026 and subject to change. Event scheduled to start at 30/08/2026 2:00pm AEST.