Newcastle reaches first preliminary final in 13 years after Warriors upset
Newcastle beat New Zealand Warriors 12-10 in the NRL semi-final to advance to their first preliminary final since 2013.
The Knights claimed a famous victory in front of a record crowd at Auckland's Eden Park on Sunday, with tries from Fletcher Sharpe and Dominic Young. Newcastle finished the regular season seventh, then knocked out South Sydney and the Warriors to reach the final four.
Coach Justin Holbrook, who took over a squad that finished last in 2025, is now a strong chance to win the Dally M coach of the year award. The Knights will play Penrith at Accor Stadium next Sunday for a spot in the grand final.
Both Ponga and Tuaupiki went off for head injury assessments in the nail-biting final 10 minutes.
- Knights 12 Warriors 10
- Final score
- All Blacks rugby league record
- Record crowd at Eden Park
- 2013
- Newcastle's last preliminary final
- 2025 wooden spoon
- Holbrook's prior finish
Why it mattersNewcastle's remarkable turnaround from last place to one win from the grand final is one of rugby league's best redemption stories this season.
Corroborated byabc.net.au·nrl.com
