Seasoned  Warriors to stun Knights

There is no question the Knights will prove a superior team to the Warriors this season but there is clear value siding with New Zealand in Round 1.

The Warriors have dominated the Knights for the better part of 15 years with 19 wins in the last 26 meetings. The Knights have covered just 7 of 21. Newcastle have won three of the last five meetings in the Hunter though. High scorers have been the norm with eight of 11 topping 44 points.

Newcastle lost their opening trial to St George Illawarra 38-12 before smashing up on a second-string Sydney Roosters outfit 58-0. The Knights lost in the quarter finals of the NRL Nines. New Zealand lost trials 18-16 to the Storm and 20-6 to the Tigers, the latter a hapless showing. They lost their two Nines matches by a combined 48-8.

The Wolf needs to see something from the Knights before he starts laying down the coin on them. They covered just two of their last 10 to finish out last season and have covered just five of their last 14 home games. The Warriors have covered 7 of 9 road day games getting 4.5 or more and underdogs of six-plus in Round 1 have covered 20 of 30 since 2008.

Newcastle Knights for the win.

If we had to pick a Line

Newcastle Knights -6