Latest news with #RonaldGriffiths
The Advertiser
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Knights overpower Warriors in first home game of season
The Knights have marked their first home game of the NRLW season with a 36-20 win over the New Zealand Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night. It was a night of firsts for the hosts. First time Newcastle's NRLW side matched their male counterparts and donned the iconic hi-vis jerseys in Voice for Mining Round. First time facing their former coach Ronald Griffiths, who guided the Knights to back-to-back premierships in 2022 and 2023. And, they were up for a big night. Newcastle shot out of the blocks and set up the 16-point victory with a dominant first half. The Knights led 24-6 after an almost flawless first 35 minutes, in which they held 68 per cent of possession and completed 15 of their 18 sets compared to the Warriors' seven from 10. "It was good. We just stuck to the game plan and they come up with a few tries, so really good to see them play some football," Knights coach Ben Jeffries said of the first half. Newcastle ran in four tries through four different scorers before the visitors, who were totally outplayed for most part of the first half, struck back through winger Payton Takimoana with three minutes remaining until the break. The second half was a more even affair but never got closer than a 14-point game. "Credit to them, they came out and played the second half, but I thought we had a few lapses," Jeffries said. "Defensively, I didn't think we probably aimed up how we were in the first half, but we had a lot of ball in the first half too, so it equalled out a bit by the end of the game. "By our standards, the girls won't be happy with some of the vision, but, at the end of the day, a win's a win and we'll move forward to Parramatta next week." In all, there were six different tryscorers for the Knights. Newcastle prop Kayla Romaniuk dragged three players across the line to score next to the right upright in the ninth minute. England international Georgia Roche broke the line with a darting run two minutes later before sending her captain, Yasmin Clydsdale, across for a try. Tess Staines, who demanded her first start for the Knights after producing two four-try hauls in two reserve-grade matches and replaced Lilly-Ann White on the wing, scored in the left corner in the 20th minute after a slick, sweeping move across the field from the home side. New Zealand rugby sevens star Tenika Willison extended the advantage when she timed her run to perfection to get onto the end of halfback Jesse Southwell's incisive, angled grubber kick in the 27th minute. Southwell kicked all four conversion attempts in the first half, while Patricia Maliepo was successful with hers for the Warriors. New Zealand closed the gap to 14 points three minutes into the second half after an early penalty for contact on the kicker put them within 20 metres of the try line. The Warriors, back in the competition after a five-season absence, spread the ball quickly and outnumbered the Knights to again put away Takimoana in the left corner. Maliepo missed her conversion and the opportunity to make it a two-converted-try game. Interchange hooker Jules Kirkpatrick gave the Knights a bit more breathing space with a darting run out of dummy-half to score from close range in the 50th minute. Southwell's conversion from directly in front gave Newcastle a 20-point lead. Five minutes later, Southwell then put Evah McEwen into a gap and the teenage second-rower powered to the try line. Southwell's conversion made it 36-10. "We've been working really hard at training on combinations, and it's still really early in the season, but it's good to see six individuals score a try, and Tess making her Knights debut and scoring on debut," Jeffries said. Takimoana made it a treble of tries when the Knights were again outnumbered on their right edge with nine minutes remaining and Maliepo converted from the sideline. The Warriors kept coming, and scored again with four minutes remaining, this time in the right corner through lightning-quick New Zealand rugby sevens star Michaela Brake. The kick was unsuccessful. The Knights were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance to down North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two. Newcastle next face Parramatta on the road next Sunday before returning home for the NRLW's first Magic Round. The match was the second of a Knights double-header and followed Newcastle's dramatic 20-15 loss to the Warriors in the earlier NRL exchange. The Knights have marked their first home game of the NRLW season with a 36-20 win over the New Zealand Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night. It was a night of firsts for the hosts. First time Newcastle's NRLW side matched their male counterparts and donned the iconic hi-vis jerseys in Voice for Mining Round. First time facing their former coach Ronald Griffiths, who guided the Knights to back-to-back premierships in 2022 and 2023. And, they were up for a big night. Newcastle shot out of the blocks and set up the 16-point victory with a dominant first half. The Knights led 24-6 after an almost flawless first 35 minutes, in which they held 68 per cent of possession and completed 15 of their 18 sets compared to the Warriors' seven from 10. "It was good. We just stuck to the game plan and they come up with a few tries, so really good to see them play some football," Knights coach Ben Jeffries said of the first half. Newcastle ran in four tries through four different scorers before the visitors, who were totally outplayed for most part of the first half, struck back through winger Payton Takimoana with three minutes remaining until the break. The second half was a more even affair but never got closer than a 14-point game. "Credit to them, they came out and played the second half, but I thought we had a few lapses," Jeffries said. "Defensively, I didn't think we probably aimed up how we were in the first half, but we had a lot of ball in the first half too, so it equalled out a bit by the end of the game. "By our standards, the girls won't be happy with some of the vision, but, at the end of the day, a win's a win and we'll move forward to Parramatta next week." In all, there were six different tryscorers for the Knights. Newcastle prop Kayla Romaniuk dragged three players across the line to score next to the right upright in the ninth minute. England international Georgia Roche broke the line with a darting run two minutes later before sending her captain, Yasmin Clydsdale, across for a try. Tess Staines, who demanded her first start for the Knights after producing two four-try hauls in two reserve-grade matches and replaced Lilly-Ann White on the wing, scored in the left corner in the 20th minute after a slick, sweeping move across the field from the home side. New Zealand rugby sevens star Tenika Willison extended the advantage when she timed her run to perfection to get onto the end of halfback Jesse Southwell's incisive, angled grubber kick in the 27th minute. Southwell kicked all four conversion attempts in the first half, while Patricia Maliepo was successful with hers for the Warriors. New Zealand closed the gap to 14 points three minutes into the second half after an early penalty for contact on the kicker put them within 20 metres of the try line. The Warriors, back in the competition after a five-season absence, spread the ball quickly and outnumbered the Knights to again put away Takimoana in the left corner. Maliepo missed her conversion and the opportunity to make it a two-converted-try game. Interchange hooker Jules Kirkpatrick gave the Knights a bit more breathing space with a darting run out of dummy-half to score from close range in the 50th minute. Southwell's conversion from directly in front gave Newcastle a 20-point lead. Five minutes later, Southwell then put Evah McEwen into a gap and the teenage second-rower powered to the try line. Southwell's conversion made it 36-10. "We've been working really hard at training on combinations, and it's still really early in the season, but it's good to see six individuals score a try, and Tess making her Knights debut and scoring on debut," Jeffries said. Takimoana made it a treble of tries when the Knights were again outnumbered on their right edge with nine minutes remaining and Maliepo converted from the sideline. The Warriors kept coming, and scored again with four minutes remaining, this time in the right corner through lightning-quick New Zealand rugby sevens star Michaela Brake. The kick was unsuccessful. The Knights were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance to down North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two. Newcastle next face Parramatta on the road next Sunday before returning home for the NRLW's first Magic Round. The match was the second of a Knights double-header and followed Newcastle's dramatic 20-15 loss to the Warriors in the earlier NRL exchange. The Knights have marked their first home game of the NRLW season with a 36-20 win over the New Zealand Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night. It was a night of firsts for the hosts. First time Newcastle's NRLW side matched their male counterparts and donned the iconic hi-vis jerseys in Voice for Mining Round. First time facing their former coach Ronald Griffiths, who guided the Knights to back-to-back premierships in 2022 and 2023. And, they were up for a big night. Newcastle shot out of the blocks and set up the 16-point victory with a dominant first half. The Knights led 24-6 after an almost flawless first 35 minutes, in which they held 68 per cent of possession and completed 15 of their 18 sets compared to the Warriors' seven from 10. "It was good. We just stuck to the game plan and they come up with a few tries, so really good to see them play some football," Knights coach Ben Jeffries said of the first half. Newcastle ran in four tries through four different scorers before the visitors, who were totally outplayed for most part of the first half, struck back through winger Payton Takimoana with three minutes remaining until the break. The second half was a more even affair but never got closer than a 14-point game. "Credit to them, they came out and played the second half, but I thought we had a few lapses," Jeffries said. "Defensively, I didn't think we probably aimed up how we were in the first half, but we had a lot of ball in the first half too, so it equalled out a bit by the end of the game. "By our standards, the girls won't be happy with some of the vision, but, at the end of the day, a win's a win and we'll move forward to Parramatta next week." In all, there were six different tryscorers for the Knights. Newcastle prop Kayla Romaniuk dragged three players across the line to score next to the right upright in the ninth minute. England international Georgia Roche broke the line with a darting run two minutes later before sending her captain, Yasmin Clydsdale, across for a try. Tess Staines, who demanded her first start for the Knights after producing two four-try hauls in two reserve-grade matches and replaced Lilly-Ann White on the wing, scored in the left corner in the 20th minute after a slick, sweeping move across the field from the home side. New Zealand rugby sevens star Tenika Willison extended the advantage when she timed her run to perfection to get onto the end of halfback Jesse Southwell's incisive, angled grubber kick in the 27th minute. Southwell kicked all four conversion attempts in the first half, while Patricia Maliepo was successful with hers for the Warriors. New Zealand closed the gap to 14 points three minutes into the second half after an early penalty for contact on the kicker put them within 20 metres of the try line. The Warriors, back in the competition after a five-season absence, spread the ball quickly and outnumbered the Knights to again put away Takimoana in the left corner. Maliepo missed her conversion and the opportunity to make it a two-converted-try game. Interchange hooker Jules Kirkpatrick gave the Knights a bit more breathing space with a darting run out of dummy-half to score from close range in the 50th minute. Southwell's conversion from directly in front gave Newcastle a 20-point lead. Five minutes later, Southwell then put Evah McEwen into a gap and the teenage second-rower powered to the try line. Southwell's conversion made it 36-10. "We've been working really hard at training on combinations, and it's still really early in the season, but it's good to see six individuals score a try, and Tess making her Knights debut and scoring on debut," Jeffries said. Takimoana made it a treble of tries when the Knights were again outnumbered on their right edge with nine minutes remaining and Maliepo converted from the sideline. The Warriors kept coming, and scored again with four minutes remaining, this time in the right corner through lightning-quick New Zealand rugby sevens star Michaela Brake. The kick was unsuccessful. The Knights were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance to down North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two. Newcastle next face Parramatta on the road next Sunday before returning home for the NRLW's first Magic Round. The match was the second of a Knights double-header and followed Newcastle's dramatic 20-15 loss to the Warriors in the earlier NRL exchange. The Knights have marked their first home game of the NRLW season with a 36-20 win over the New Zealand Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night. It was a night of firsts for the hosts. First time Newcastle's NRLW side matched their male counterparts and donned the iconic hi-vis jerseys in Voice for Mining Round. First time facing their former coach Ronald Griffiths, who guided the Knights to back-to-back premierships in 2022 and 2023. And, they were up for a big night. Newcastle shot out of the blocks and set up the 16-point victory with a dominant first half. The Knights led 24-6 after an almost flawless first 35 minutes, in which they held 68 per cent of possession and completed 15 of their 18 sets compared to the Warriors' seven from 10. "It was good. We just stuck to the game plan and they come up with a few tries, so really good to see them play some football," Knights coach Ben Jeffries said of the first half. Newcastle ran in four tries through four different scorers before the visitors, who were totally outplayed for most part of the first half, struck back through winger Payton Takimoana with three minutes remaining until the break. The second half was a more even affair but never got closer than a 14-point game. "Credit to them, they came out and played the second half, but I thought we had a few lapses," Jeffries said. "Defensively, I didn't think we probably aimed up how we were in the first half, but we had a lot of ball in the first half too, so it equalled out a bit by the end of the game. "By our standards, the girls won't be happy with some of the vision, but, at the end of the day, a win's a win and we'll move forward to Parramatta next week." In all, there were six different tryscorers for the Knights. Newcastle prop Kayla Romaniuk dragged three players across the line to score next to the right upright in the ninth minute. England international Georgia Roche broke the line with a darting run two minutes later before sending her captain, Yasmin Clydsdale, across for a try. Tess Staines, who demanded her first start for the Knights after producing two four-try hauls in two reserve-grade matches and replaced Lilly-Ann White on the wing, scored in the left corner in the 20th minute after a slick, sweeping move across the field from the home side. New Zealand rugby sevens star Tenika Willison extended the advantage when she timed her run to perfection to get onto the end of halfback Jesse Southwell's incisive, angled grubber kick in the 27th minute. Southwell kicked all four conversion attempts in the first half, while Patricia Maliepo was successful with hers for the Warriors. New Zealand closed the gap to 14 points three minutes into the second half after an early penalty for contact on the kicker put them within 20 metres of the try line. The Warriors, back in the competition after a five-season absence, spread the ball quickly and outnumbered the Knights to again put away Takimoana in the left corner. Maliepo missed her conversion and the opportunity to make it a two-converted-try game. Interchange hooker Jules Kirkpatrick gave the Knights a bit more breathing space with a darting run out of dummy-half to score from close range in the 50th minute. Southwell's conversion from directly in front gave Newcastle a 20-point lead. Five minutes later, Southwell then put Evah McEwen into a gap and the teenage second-rower powered to the try line. Southwell's conversion made it 36-10. "We've been working really hard at training on combinations, and it's still really early in the season, but it's good to see six individuals score a try, and Tess making her Knights debut and scoring on debut," Jeffries said. Takimoana made it a treble of tries when the Knights were again outnumbered on their right edge with nine minutes remaining and Maliepo converted from the sideline. The Warriors kept coming, and scored again with four minutes remaining, this time in the right corner through lightning-quick New Zealand rugby sevens star Michaela Brake. The kick was unsuccessful. The Knights were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance to down North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two. Newcastle next face Parramatta on the road next Sunday before returning home for the NRLW's first Magic Round. The match was the second of a Knights double-header and followed Newcastle's dramatic 20-15 loss to the Warriors in the earlier NRL exchange.
The Advertiser
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
His name is etched in Knights folklore. Now, the premiership-winning coach is back
Ronald Griffiths left his mark on the Newcastle Knights, etching his name into club folklore by winning back-to-back NRLW premierships in two years at the helm. Now, as he returns home in opposition colours this weekend, the Novocastrian is aiming to create a legacy for female rugby league players in New Zealand. Griffiths coached the Knights' NRLW side in 2022 and 2023, winning 16 games in 18 outings, then the club's NSW Cup men's team last year before accepting a three-year deal to take the reins as the New Zealand Warriors re-entered NRLW. "It was the opportunity to do something different, in terms of it's a blank canvas or fresh landscape when it comes to rugby league," Griffiths told the Newcastle Herald from New Zealand on Wednesday. "They haven't got great junior systems for females, so an opportunity to leave an indelible impression or imprint on that." Griffiths will be back in Newcastle on Sunday, when the Knights host the Warriors in an NRL-NRLW double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium. The men's match is at 4.05pm and the women kick off at 6.15pm. "I love the town," Griffiths said. "I'm Novocastrian born and bred, although I'm not from there originally, my people, that's where I grew up and I understand what rugby league means to the town, so I'm really looking forward to getting home. "And, they're a formidable outfit. Semi-finals last year, and obviously had some success the two years prior to that. "Last weekend, they showed who they are as a team, so really looking forward to that opportunity as well against an outfit that's extremely strong." Griffiths will have plenty of inside information on the Knights, with a core group of their most experienced players remaining from his time at the club. "I'm not sure it's an out-and-out advantage, but you understand their strengths, and no doubt they've progressed since I've coached them," he said. "I've seen some of their growth, it's been great. But you certainly understand some real key parts of their game that you need to focus on, and it probably goes vice versa. "They understand what me and the assistant coach, Ian Bourke, who was at the Knights, what our strengths are." The Knights, now coached by Ben Jeffries, were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance, led by NSW halfback Jesse Southwell, to beat North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two. "On the weekend, she controlled the whole team," Griffiths said. "She was certainly the maestro, and her Origin series reflects where she's at. She had a wonderful series, and we've seen her growth has been immense ... "They've got some really classy outside backs, but with Jesse driving their forwards, they've always been strong in the middle, and it's similar this year." The Warriors are also 1-1 after succumbing 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend. Fullback Apii Nicholls, a New Zealand international, is the most experienced NRLW player in a Warriors squad that has also drawn on a number of rugby union converts, including Blacks Ferns superstar Michaela Brake. "We don't have expectations around the year in terms of results," Griffiths said. "One thing that we set about doing is, we've got some plans of how we want to change the landscape of female rugby league in New Zealand. "That's the overarching plan of what we're trying to achieve and that's what we're working towards." Warriors lock Laishon Albert-Jones also returns to face her former side. The forward was part of the Knights' 2023 premiership-winning side. Warriors centre Emmanita Paki was in Newcastle's line-up when they won the 2022 title. In the only change to the Knights' squad from round two, Staines replaces Lilly-Ann White on the wing. Ronald Griffiths left his mark on the Newcastle Knights, etching his name into club folklore by winning back-to-back NRLW premierships in two years at the helm. Now, as he returns home in opposition colours this weekend, the Novocastrian is aiming to create a legacy for female rugby league players in New Zealand. Griffiths coached the Knights' NRLW side in 2022 and 2023, winning 16 games in 18 outings, then the club's NSW Cup men's team last year before accepting a three-year deal to take the reins as the New Zealand Warriors re-entered NRLW. "It was the opportunity to do something different, in terms of it's a blank canvas or fresh landscape when it comes to rugby league," Griffiths told the Newcastle Herald from New Zealand on Wednesday. "They haven't got great junior systems for females, so an opportunity to leave an indelible impression or imprint on that." Griffiths will be back in Newcastle on Sunday, when the Knights host the Warriors in an NRL-NRLW double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium. The men's match is at 4.05pm and the women kick off at 6.15pm. "I love the town," Griffiths said. "I'm Novocastrian born and bred, although I'm not from there originally, my people, that's where I grew up and I understand what rugby league means to the town, so I'm really looking forward to getting home. "And, they're a formidable outfit. Semi-finals last year, and obviously had some success the two years prior to that. "Last weekend, they showed who they are as a team, so really looking forward to that opportunity as well against an outfit that's extremely strong." Griffiths will have plenty of inside information on the Knights, with a core group of their most experienced players remaining from his time at the club. "I'm not sure it's an out-and-out advantage, but you understand their strengths, and no doubt they've progressed since I've coached them," he said. "I've seen some of their growth, it's been great. But you certainly understand some real key parts of their game that you need to focus on, and it probably goes vice versa. "They understand what me and the assistant coach, Ian Bourke, who was at the Knights, what our strengths are." The Knights, now coached by Ben Jeffries, were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance, led by NSW halfback Jesse Southwell, to beat North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two. "On the weekend, she controlled the whole team," Griffiths said. "She was certainly the maestro, and her Origin series reflects where she's at. She had a wonderful series, and we've seen her growth has been immense ... "They've got some really classy outside backs, but with Jesse driving their forwards, they've always been strong in the middle, and it's similar this year." The Warriors are also 1-1 after succumbing 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend. Fullback Apii Nicholls, a New Zealand international, is the most experienced NRLW player in a Warriors squad that has also drawn on a number of rugby union converts, including Blacks Ferns superstar Michaela Brake. "We don't have expectations around the year in terms of results," Griffiths said. "One thing that we set about doing is, we've got some plans of how we want to change the landscape of female rugby league in New Zealand. "That's the overarching plan of what we're trying to achieve and that's what we're working towards." Warriors lock Laishon Albert-Jones also returns to face her former side. The forward was part of the Knights' 2023 premiership-winning side. Warriors centre Emmanita Paki was in Newcastle's line-up when they won the 2022 title. In the only change to the Knights' squad from round two, Staines replaces Lilly-Ann White on the wing. Ronald Griffiths left his mark on the Newcastle Knights, etching his name into club folklore by winning back-to-back NRLW premierships in two years at the helm. Now, as he returns home in opposition colours this weekend, the Novocastrian is aiming to create a legacy for female rugby league players in New Zealand. Griffiths coached the Knights' NRLW side in 2022 and 2023, winning 16 games in 18 outings, then the club's NSW Cup men's team last year before accepting a three-year deal to take the reins as the New Zealand Warriors re-entered NRLW. "It was the opportunity to do something different, in terms of it's a blank canvas or fresh landscape when it comes to rugby league," Griffiths told the Newcastle Herald from New Zealand on Wednesday. "They haven't got great junior systems for females, so an opportunity to leave an indelible impression or imprint on that." Griffiths will be back in Newcastle on Sunday, when the Knights host the Warriors in an NRL-NRLW double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium. The men's match is at 4.05pm and the women kick off at 6.15pm. "I love the town," Griffiths said. "I'm Novocastrian born and bred, although I'm not from there originally, my people, that's where I grew up and I understand what rugby league means to the town, so I'm really looking forward to getting home. "And, they're a formidable outfit. Semi-finals last year, and obviously had some success the two years prior to that. "Last weekend, they showed who they are as a team, so really looking forward to that opportunity as well against an outfit that's extremely strong." Griffiths will have plenty of inside information on the Knights, with a core group of their most experienced players remaining from his time at the club. "I'm not sure it's an out-and-out advantage, but you understand their strengths, and no doubt they've progressed since I've coached them," he said. "I've seen some of their growth, it's been great. But you certainly understand some real key parts of their game that you need to focus on, and it probably goes vice versa. "They understand what me and the assistant coach, Ian Bourke, who was at the Knights, what our strengths are." The Knights, now coached by Ben Jeffries, were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance, led by NSW halfback Jesse Southwell, to beat North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two. "On the weekend, she controlled the whole team," Griffiths said. "She was certainly the maestro, and her Origin series reflects where she's at. She had a wonderful series, and we've seen her growth has been immense ... "They've got some really classy outside backs, but with Jesse driving their forwards, they've always been strong in the middle, and it's similar this year." The Warriors are also 1-1 after succumbing 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend. Fullback Apii Nicholls, a New Zealand international, is the most experienced NRLW player in a Warriors squad that has also drawn on a number of rugby union converts, including Blacks Ferns superstar Michaela Brake. "We don't have expectations around the year in terms of results," Griffiths said. "One thing that we set about doing is, we've got some plans of how we want to change the landscape of female rugby league in New Zealand. "That's the overarching plan of what we're trying to achieve and that's what we're working towards." Warriors lock Laishon Albert-Jones also returns to face her former side. The forward was part of the Knights' 2023 premiership-winning side. Warriors centre Emmanita Paki was in Newcastle's line-up when they won the 2022 title. In the only change to the Knights' squad from round two, Staines replaces Lilly-Ann White on the wing. Ronald Griffiths left his mark on the Newcastle Knights, etching his name into club folklore by winning back-to-back NRLW premierships in two years at the helm. Now, as he returns home in opposition colours this weekend, the Novocastrian is aiming to create a legacy for female rugby league players in New Zealand. Griffiths coached the Knights' NRLW side in 2022 and 2023, winning 16 games in 18 outings, then the club's NSW Cup men's team last year before accepting a three-year deal to take the reins as the New Zealand Warriors re-entered NRLW. "It was the opportunity to do something different, in terms of it's a blank canvas or fresh landscape when it comes to rugby league," Griffiths told the Newcastle Herald from New Zealand on Wednesday. "They haven't got great junior systems for females, so an opportunity to leave an indelible impression or imprint on that." Griffiths will be back in Newcastle on Sunday, when the Knights host the Warriors in an NRL-NRLW double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium. The men's match is at 4.05pm and the women kick off at 6.15pm. "I love the town," Griffiths said. "I'm Novocastrian born and bred, although I'm not from there originally, my people, that's where I grew up and I understand what rugby league means to the town, so I'm really looking forward to getting home. "And, they're a formidable outfit. Semi-finals last year, and obviously had some success the two years prior to that. "Last weekend, they showed who they are as a team, so really looking forward to that opportunity as well against an outfit that's extremely strong." Griffiths will have plenty of inside information on the Knights, with a core group of their most experienced players remaining from his time at the club. "I'm not sure it's an out-and-out advantage, but you understand their strengths, and no doubt they've progressed since I've coached them," he said. "I've seen some of their growth, it's been great. But you certainly understand some real key parts of their game that you need to focus on, and it probably goes vice versa. "They understand what me and the assistant coach, Ian Bourke, who was at the Knights, what our strengths are." The Knights, now coached by Ben Jeffries, were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance, led by NSW halfback Jesse Southwell, to beat North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two. "On the weekend, she controlled the whole team," Griffiths said. "She was certainly the maestro, and her Origin series reflects where she's at. She had a wonderful series, and we've seen her growth has been immense ... "They've got some really classy outside backs, but with Jesse driving their forwards, they've always been strong in the middle, and it's similar this year." The Warriors are also 1-1 after succumbing 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend. Fullback Apii Nicholls, a New Zealand international, is the most experienced NRLW player in a Warriors squad that has also drawn on a number of rugby union converts, including Blacks Ferns superstar Michaela Brake. "We don't have expectations around the year in terms of results," Griffiths said. "One thing that we set about doing is, we've got some plans of how we want to change the landscape of female rugby league in New Zealand. "That's the overarching plan of what we're trying to achieve and that's what we're working towards." Warriors lock Laishon Albert-Jones also returns to face her former side. The forward was part of the Knights' 2023 premiership-winning side. Warriors centre Emmanita Paki was in Newcastle's line-up when they won the 2022 title. In the only change to the Knights' squad from round two, Staines replaces Lilly-Ann White on the wing.
