Vale: Terry Hill
6 hours ago | National Rugby League
Warriors v Knights preview
Warriors v Newcastle Knights
Mt Smart Stadium - Sunday 2:00pm 
It's been a big fortnight off for the Warriors - and with it brings good news. Sam Tomkins is back in the side and although there's no Konrad Hurrell, the backline looks far more formidable than it has been most of the season. The Knights are coming off a rough loss to Brisbane where they figured in the reckoning for most of the night before the Broncos ran away with it. Their form for most of the season has been dreadful.
This one could easily go either way - the Warriors could put on the points and as a result we'd end up watching the two sides going tit for tat in a high scoring thriller. The alternative is a bit of a slug like the Round 1 clash between the two sides, where Newcastle outlasted a gritty Warriors side. Got to lean toward the former of the above options given the return of Tomkins, though.
For Newcastle though, this game is simply about the two points and playing good footy. They can't afford another loss if they want to keep the pace with the top eight - just short of the halfway mark we're already talking about the Novocastrians running out of chances. Before the plane even boarded they suffered a blow with Jeremy Smith ruled out, while there's talk Gidley may not take the field either. Interesting times in the Steel City...
Last meeting: Round 1 2015 - Newcastle Knights 24 Warriors 14
Lots was expected of the Warriors in round one - and not much was thought about the Knights. The result went the other way and Newcastle went on to record three straight victories... but only one since. The Warriors have been, as always, gloriously inconsistent. Amazingly they sit on the edge of the top eight, but any more losses could see them start to slide.
Who to watch: It goes without saying that Sam Tomkins will garner plenty of attention at Mt Smart Stadium this weekend. He's returning from an injury that's kept him out for most of the season thus far, and only has some 13-plus weeks in the black and silver before heading home to the claret and white of his previous club, the Wigan Warriors. He'll be out to make a good impression before heading back to England - and it all starts with this game.
The Warriors will want to keep an eye on Beau Scott. He's tireless and has an incredible motor but even the best run out of petrol at some point. A standout for NSW on Wednesday night, don't be surprised if the home side runs plenty of traffic at big Beau. It may not work out in their favour early, but if they keep tiring him out, they may just find a way through. Either way - it's guaranteed he'll give 100% and then some for the red and blue.
The favourite: On form it's hard to go past the Warriors, who are at very short odds with those in the know.
My tip: Can't go any which way but with the favourites. Newcastle have been admirable in recent weeks but still lose their way. The Warriors, with Tomkins back in the side and Johnson in a good run of form, should be too good for the Knights in this one. Warriors by 12.
1. Sam Tomkins 2. Jonathan Wright 3. Tuimoala Lolohea 4. Solomone Kata 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Chad Townsend 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Nathan Friend 10. Ben Matulino 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Sebastine Ikahihifo 16. Sam Lisone 17. Albert Vete
1. Dane Gagai 2. James McManus 3. Sione Mata'utia 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Akuila Uate 6. Kurt Gidley 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. David Fa'alogo 11. Beau Scott 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange: 14. Tyler Randell 15. Chris Houston 16. Korbin Sims 17. Jack Stockwell 18. Joseph Tapine
Referees: Ben Cummins, Dave Munro; Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Anthony Elliott; Video Referees: Matt Cecchin, Daniel Irvine;