Game Summary
The Warriors and Newcastle Knights fought out a 10-all draw at Go Media Stadium in Round 26 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup today, to determine the five teams taking part in the 2026 finals series from next weekend.
One competition point was all the home side needed to lock up the last remaining spot in the top five, while a loss would have seen the Sydney Roosters through to the finals on points difference.
The contest lived up to its Game of the Week status, with both sides finding themselves in an arm-wrestle and unable to break the deadlock. But at the 23rd minute first points came when Warriors halfback Jack Thompson skipped across field from left to right, taking on the line and grubbering for himself to score in the corner for a 4-0 lead.
Despite the early lead the Warriors couldn’t build on the momentum as the Knights worked their way back into a good attacking position. The visitors were eventually rewarded with just under 10 minutes until half-time and a scrum play from 40 metres out, as Matt Hunter shifted to the short side for fullback Jaylan Bishop, who laid on a pass for winger Siteni Taukamo to score untouched squaring the ledger at the break.
The Warriors kept to the task early in the second half of their do-or-die clash, regaining the advantage in the 47th minute. Heading to the right, fullback Geronimo Doyle turned Marata Niukore back against the grain, who offloaded for hooker Makaia Tafua to send bench forward Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea over the line. Young halfback Maui Winitana-Patalesio converted to go ahead 10-4.
With their season on the line the Warriors’ defence held firm for nearly 25 minutes after that, but the Knights had other ideas with an opportunity for a double-chance final at stake. With nine minutes left Mitch Henderson stormed into a gap from 40 metres out and outpaced the fullback before diving for the corner. Matt Hunter landed the sideline conversion to draw level at 10-all.
For the remaining minutes the two sides traded sets until the final whistle, finishing the contest with a point each and confirming their places in the 2026 finals series.
Talking Points
With today’s competition point the Warriors have the chance to defend The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, locking up their spot in the top five and joining the four other teams who had already qualified for this year’s finals series.
The Warriors showed the strength of their depth once again with youngster Jack Thompson and Winitana-Patalesio steering their side to a draw, capped off with the latter offloading for Thompson in the lead-up to the opening try.
The Knights responded well after last week’s upset loss, staying in the fight against a form Warriors outfit and proving why they’ve finished in third position at the end of the regular season.
Key Moment
The Warriors’ early second-half try was an important moment in the context of the match and for the make-up of the top five. With Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea crashing over next to uprights, the Warriors regained the advantage they needed to hold on for one competition point and keep their season alive.
What’s Next?
After today’s draw the Knights claim third spot on the ladder and a Qualifying Final berth against North Sydney Bears next week, while the Warriors are set to face Newtown Jets in the Elimination Final.
