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Running It Straight: Tanner Stowers-Smith joins as Warriors start season 2-0
Sport Nation • March 18th, 2026 12:50 pm
Tanner Stowers-Smith | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
It's been a massive, emotionally-charged week in the world of rugby league.
The NZ Warriors, Cameron George and the Mt Smart faithful got their revenge on the Canberra Raiders, delivering a dominant 40-6 win in the rain last Friday. Plus, the incredible scenes of fans storming the field as Alex Johnstone broke the NRL's all time try-scoring record will be remembered forever.
This week on Running It Straight, hosts Sam Hewat and Anthony Gelling are joined by NZ Warriors prop Tanner Stowers-Smith to break down the build-up to the clash and look ahead to Round 3.
Now sitting 2-0 to start a season for the first time since 2018, the Wahs depart home shores with McDonald Jones Stadium the destination to face the Newcastle Knights.
It’s a matchup that looks very different to this time last week - key playmakers Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga are both sidelined for the hosts, leaving the Warriors as $1.60 favourites at the TAB*, with the Knights at $2.35.
The Warriors haven’t escaped injury either - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Chanel Harris-Tavita are out with concussion, while Kurt Capewell is sidelined with a calf issue.
Taine Tuaupiki gets his first start of the year at fullback, with Leka Halasima named in the second row. Marata Niukore is also in line for his first appearance of the season via the interchange.
The youth movement rolls on, with coach Andrew Webster naming Luke Hanson to make his debut at five-eighth, replacing Harris-Tavita.
Join Sport Nation for live commentary of the NZ Warriors vs Newcastle Knights, via SEN League, from 5pm Saturday.
Watch the full show via Sport Nation's YouTube below:
*R18, please gamble responsibly.
