The Newcastle Knights’ 10-game winning streak and 2023 season is officially over after suffering a devastating 40-10 loss to the New Zealand Warriors at Go Media Stadium.
Playing their first home final in 15 years, the Warriors looked eager to reward their loyal fans in the semi-final clash.
Running out in front of 25,000 passionate Warriors fans, the hosts came out of the blocks firing with one of the most impressive starts of the 2023 season.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad opened the scoring in the 3rd minute as a bit of magic from Johnson allowed the fullback to dive over untouched.
The Warriors continued to dominate the game's opening exchanges, forcing the Knights into their own half whilst constantly pressing the opposing defence close the line.
New Zealand’s red-hot start progressed even more when Addin Fonua-Blake crossed in a similar fashion to his fullback, putting the hosts up by 10.
The dominant start to the game was capped off in the 11th minute as Marcelo Montoya found space in the corner and showcased his elite finishing skills to put the Warriors up by 14 points.
With the Knights being passengers for the better part of 15 minutes, New Zealand were threatening to run away with the game.
After making it into the Warriors’ half for the first time in the 17th minute, Newcastle started showing signs of life and was eventually rewarded in the 24th minute as Greg Marzhew crossed over.
Both sides engaged in an arm wrestle for the remainder of the half, but the Warriors looked likelier to get on the scoreboard as the game progressed.
Newcastle showed plenty of desperation in defence which denied the hosts of any more points in the first half, leaving the Warriors with a 12-point lead going into the halftime break.
Pleading with his men to stop making stupid mistakes in the second half, Adam O’Brien’s words made an impact in the second half as the Knights got on the board first.
After Montoya fumbled a long-range kick, Dom Young capitalised and regained possession before Dylan Lucas burrowed his way through the Warriors’ defence.
The second try for the Knights was the only moment worth celebrating in the second half as the Warriors dominated the remainder of the game.
A quick answer back from Dylan Walker put the lead back out to 12 but it was Rocco Berry’s try in the 59th minute that all but sealed the result.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak put the cherry on top in the 63rd minute as the ‘Wahs’ faithful partied for the remainder of the game.
The roar from the New Zealand fans spurred the home side onto a stellar second half showing, leaving the Knights reeling in the final stages of the game.
A final try from Bailey Sironen got the celebrations officially underway as Andrew Webster took precaution and gave Shaun Johnson an early mark.
New Zealand will now head to Brisbane for a prelim final clash next Saturday night.