Tips: Knights stunner looms unless two stars can make miracle recovery
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The Warriors will exit the NRL finals in straight sets unless both Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Leka Halasima return from injury against Newcastle on Sunday.
That is the opinion of both Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns, with the two league legends outlining serious concerns about the Auckland-based outfit following a shock loss to the Dolphins last week.
Leka Halasima in action against the Broncos. Getty Images
The Warriors, who finished second only to Penrith on the ladder this season, have named both Watene-Zelezniak and Halasima on an extended bench for Sunday’s must-win clash at Eden Park.
“They are two players they need,” Fittler said on Wide World of Sports’ NRL Tips.
“They had Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad over on that right-hand side, but he just missed his assignment a couple of times, whereas Dallin wouldn’t have.
“They need Leka. (Adam) Pompey couldn’t keep up, they will get at him. Unless they do that I will (tip) the Knights.”
It would be a stunning run into an NRL preliminary final for a Newcastle side that many expected to go out in week one.
But an upset victory over South Sydney kept Johns’ old club in the hunt, and now they travel to New Zealand where 50,000 fans will pack the iconic Eden Park for a blockbuster semi final.
Johns says if Watene-Zelezniak and Halasima don’t return, Newcastle’s left side attacking stars of Kalyn Ponga, Francis Manuleleua, Bradman Best, and Greg Marzhew could run riot.
“That’s where the Knights score a lot of their tries – Kalyn, Bradman Best, Marzhew, that is their strength,” Johns said.
“Knights going into this game, confidence and belief is sky-high. On the other side you have to say it would be a bit shaky for the Warriors.
“I think the Knights can deadset win this one.”
In the first semi final on Saturday night, both men are backing the Roosters to get it done over the Sharks in Sydney.
But Fittler is worried his former team may have spent too much energy in a tough loss to Penrith last week.
“Roosters have won both games (against Cronulla) this year,” Fittler said.
“The last one, they were very physical on Cronulla.
“The Roosters beat Penrith four weeks ago, put everything into it. They’ve lost every game since.
“I get nervous that they dumped so much into that game last week, and they didn’t get the result.
“Sharks, who sort of fumbled around for a while, could be coming into form.”
The winner on Saturday night will head to Brisbane next week to face the Dolphins in a preliminary final, while Penrith awaits the winner of Sunday’s game.
