The Stone Age begins with spirited Knights win

Newcastle have engineered a comeback, to register a 24-14 victory over the New Zealand Warriors in front of 16,146 fans at Hunter Stadium.

Newcastle were enterprising early, throwing the ball around and giving the backline including the mohawked Akuila Uate. Uate's charging run kickstarted the Knights try as he linked with centre Dane Gagai for the latter to cross the line, for the opener.

The Warriors took some time to warm into the contest, knocking on and giving away penalties early. Once Chad Townsend took the team by the scruff with his pinpoint 40/20, they were able to get interested in the game. In true Warriors style, it was Suaia Matagi, a front rower who provided the try-assist for Thomas Leuluai to touch down.

The decision after the whistle will be the focus though, as Tyrone Roberts inadvertedly while making the tackle, collected Leuluai with the knee. The referees conferred and gave it as a possible eight point try, which Johnson confirmed as one.

Unexpectedly, after a topsy-turvey half, New Zealand took the lead going into the break. A great break from Manu Vatuvei set up the set and Ryan Hoffman crowned it when he produced a spin and turn move to score, after the video referee decided there wasn't enough evidence to overturn. 

A cagey opening twenty minutes, had some firey moments alongside it. David Fa'alogo was sin-binned in the 50th minute after a succession of penalties gifting the Warriors a chance to increase their lead. Back to back errors from Konrad Hurrell and general directionless play from the visitors meant they squandered the advantage. 

It was the Knights who steeled their resolve, earning a string of penalties to even up the count and run over the Warriors late in the game. Dane Gagai started the comeback when he slipped out of a legs tackle from Simon Mannering secure his brace and bring the Knights within two points. 

They had the mythical momentum, and weren't giving it away easily. Warriors continued to bumble and fumble their way through the sets. Newcastle were methodical with their approach, eating up the metres and forcing the forwards back in the late afternoon heat of the Hunter. 

This pressure built and built before the dam wall cracked in the 67th minute, when Tyler Randell was on-spot after several charges got them close to give Newcastle the lead for the first lead since Gagai's opening try in the 8th minute. Robbie Rochow put the icing on the cake, with his strong effort from a Leilua offload to secure the 24-14 win.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (24)
Tries: Dane Gagai (2), Tyler Randell, Robbie Rochow
Field Goals:
Conversions: Tyler Randell (1/1), Tyrone Roberts (3/3)
Penalty Goals:

WARRIORS (14)
Tries: Thomas Leuluai, Ryan Hoffman
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Shaun Johnson (1/1)

TEAM CHANGES:

NEW: One is the loneliest number, also the number of changes for Newcastle and the position they play. Kurt Gidley has been ruled out, replaced by the 18th man, Sione Mata'utia.

WAR: There are several changes for the visiting side. Sam Tomkins being ruled out, has forced a backline shuffle. Lolohea goes to fullback, Solomone Kata shifts to the wing as Ben Henry takes his centre spot. Lastly Suaia Matagi comes onto the bench.

Welcome to a sparse Hunter Stadium, for the first Super Saturday for the season, with Newcastle hosting New Zealand. Both teams were disappointing last season missing the top eight. Join us for kick-off in moments.

1: Here comes the Warriors, followed by the Knights. Newcastle are lined up to kick-off, Tyrone Roberts puts the boot to the ball.. HERE WE GO!

7: PENALTY Knights! Uate with a massive burst down field set up the last tackle. It was shifted left to Smith who kicked for himself, earning a penalty.

8: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Dane Gagai. Kick to come.
First points of the afternoon to Newcastle! After the shift Uate and Gagai exchange passes, the latter swooping in for the try.

10: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyler Randell successful.
Tyler Randell is taking the goal-kicking duties.. after some troubles with the tee.. slots easily.

13: PENALTY Warriors! Double dipping is bad mmkaay

15: UNFORCED ERROR WARRIORS
Bodene Thompson makes an unforced error.
Good shot from Tyler Randell, stopping Bodene Thompson straight and forcing the error.

17: Some early casualties in this game.. Tyrone Roberts is off for a concussion test, while Konrad Hurrell is limping from the field.

20: SIX MORE.. and knocked on from Beau Scott. No advantage, so Knights scrum.

21: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Adam Clydsdale makes an unforced error.
Knights trying to be too fancy with the ball.. knocked on.

21: PENALTY Warriors! Offside.

22: After deliberation, it was knocked on by Ben Henry.. Knights seven tackle set.

25: 40/20 WARRIORS
Chad Townsend kicks a 40/20.
A well judged 40/20 from Townsend who just snuck it inside the line.

26: PENALTY Warriors! They are building some momentum here..

27: VIDEO REFEREE: Thomas Leuluai crossed after a superb pass from Suaia Matagi.

27: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Thomas Leuluai. Kick to come.
GREEN LIGHTS..TRY! Leuluai got it down, no problems with the challenge. Leuluai has a flesh wound though and has made his way to the bench.

27: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Referee has called it a possible eight point try.. Tyrone Roberts collected him with the knee, ON REPORT. Johnson converts the first.

28: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL WARRIORS
Penalty goal attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
.. and the same for the second one, in the same position.

31: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Akuila Uate makes an unforced error.
Tuimoala Lolohea! He burned down the sideline there and tried position Johnson but Uate intervened.

33: Time off.. Matagi down after a collision. Play on.

35: UNFORCED ERROR WARRIORS
Chad Townsend makes an unforced error.
Townsend was trying to do too much, at the same time. Knock on.

35: Joseph Leilua tries the show and go, he forgot the go portion.. and was dragged over the sideline.

36: PENALTY Warriors! Holding on too long. Count is 5-1 NZ.

37: A little shovel pass from Johnson goes forward..

38: PENALTY Knights! Shoulder charge from Vete, good position to finish the half for the Knights.

40: VIDEO REFEREE: Ryan Hoffman tries the spin and score, checking the grounding..

40: TRY WARRIORS
Scored by Ryan Hoffman. Kick to come.
GREEN LIGHTS..TRY! Hoffman got enough ball on turf, to collect his first Warriors try.

40: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
A tougher conversion this time for Johnson.. a few metres in from the touchline. He steps in and strikes it well.

40: HALFTIME:: Warriors lead 14-6 thanks to tries to Thomas Leuluai and Ryan Hoffman with the Knights opening the scoring through Dane Gagai.

41: Here we go.. second half. Knights to receive.

43: A lovely double play and pick up from Shaun Johnson, forcing McManus to concede the dropout.

44: Another dropout incoming.. Warriors building pressure.

45: UNFORCED ERROR WARRIORS
Shaun Johnson makes an unforced error.
Loose carry from Shaun Johnson there, just a good tackle from Roberts.

47: PENALTY Warriors! Hand in there from Beau Scott.

47: Johnson fails to find touch.. Uate recovered.

48: How generous from Tyrone Roberts.. he gives a pass to the kid in the first row, instead of his winger.

49: PENALTY Warriors! Mata'utia got Bodene Thompson is a dangerous position.

50: PENALTY Warriors! Hand in the ruck.

50: SIN BIN
David Fa'alogo is sent to the sin bin.
.. and a SIN BIN to Fa'alogo.

51: UNFORCED ERROR WARRIORS
Konrad Hurrell makes an unforced error.
Hurrell drops a hard pass.

52: UNFORCED ERROR WARRIORS
Konrad Hurrell makes an unforced error.
It's been all rocks thus far for Konrad.. another drop.

53: PENALTY Knights! Their third of the afternoon.

54: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Joseph Leilua makes an unforced error.
Tyrone Roberts with some bad passing here. Another errant pass.

58: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Dane Gagai. Kick to come.
Some strength and power from Gagai there, he just blew past a good defender in Mannering.

59: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Roberts sneaks it within the upright.

61: PENALTY Warriors! Tyler Randell offside which spoiled a great bomb that Lolohea spilled.

63: SIX MORE for the Warriors after a probing set.. and Lolohea kicks it! Uate gathers and runs.

63: PENALTY Warriors! Sims just stood in the defensive line, obstructing two Warriors.

65: UNFORCED ERROR WARRIORS
Albert Vete makes an unforced error.
Leuluai tries to combine with Vete though, the forward dropped it.

65: PENALTY Knights! Easy piggyback again for the Knights.

66: ..Followed by a second one for a dubious strip. Knights right on the attack now.

67: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Tyler Randell. Kick to come.
Randell goes himself! After a strong charge from a forward, Randell exposed the space and slammed it down.

68: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
A wide attempt for Roberts, to push the lead to four.. converted.

69: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Jarrod Mullen makes an unforced error.
The left side is cursed, Mullen sliced through but his pass goes to no-one!

72: PENALTY Knights! Warriors are running out of puff here.

72: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Korbin Sims makes an unforced error.
Korbin Sims with curls in his eyes, knocks on.

75: INTERCEPT! Warriors were looking for the try-line but Gagai tapped it like an Opal card, and was away.. he took on the challenge of Lolohea who rounded him up.. Knight right on the attack..

76: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Robbie Rochow. Kick to come.
That should seal it! Leilua goes close, pops it up for Rochow to cross.

76: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Tyrone Roberts from fifteen out, to make it ten.. curves it over.

77: PENALTY Knights. They can definitely put it away here.

78: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Jack Stockwell makes an unforced error.
Stockwell tries to reach for the line.. knock on.

79: Hoffman just threw it to a Knight.

79: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Beau Scott makes an unforced error.
Beau Scott drops a face ball.

80: FULLTIME :: Newcastle ride the rollercoaster for a strong 24-14 victory.