Jett Cleary Stars but Knights Brave After Send-Off

By the Editorial Team · Monday, August 31, 2026

Jett Cleary starred in his NRL debut as the New Zealand Warriors defeated the Newcastle Knights 46-32, capitalizing on an early red card to Newcastle's Jacob Saifiti. The win propels the Warriors to the top of the NRL ladder and strengthens their position as title contenders heading into the final rounds.

Jett Cleary delivered an impressive NRL debut as the New Zealand Warriors overcame a spirited Newcastle Knights side 46-32 on Sunday afternoon at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. The Warriors played most of the match with a one-player advantage after Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti was sent off early in the game, an incident that significantly influenced the contest.

The turning point came in the 13th minute when the Knights led 10-0. Saifiti was shown a red card by referee Adam Gee for a forceful shoulder charge to the head of Warriors winger Luke Lauliliu. Lauliliu sustained a category 1 head injury and is expected to miss the Warriors’ upcoming clash against Manly next Saturday.

Before the send-off, Newcastle had controlled the opening exchanges. They opened the scoring with a try from Fletcher Hunt and extended their lead to 10-0 after Francis Manuleleua crossed following a clever run from Fletcher Sharpe. Despite going down to 12 men, the Knights showed resilience, with Jermaine McEwen scoring shortly after Saifiti’s dismissal. However, the reduced squad eventually struggled to contain the Warriors’ attacking pressure.

With a numerical advantage, the Warriors capitalized through tries from Jacob Laban, Wayde Egan, and Erin Clark within an eight-minute spell. By halftime, New Zealand held a narrow 24-22 lead. The second half saw early tries from Ali Leiataua and Adam Pompey, who helped the Warriors pull away. Although Greg Marzhew scored twice for Newcastle to keep them in touch, the Warriors ultimately secured a 14-point victory.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster praised Cleary’s performance, noting the 21-year-old’s composure and skill in managing the game despite the Knights’ defensive focus on him. The young halfback contributed three try assists and executed strategic kicking throughout the match. Cleary partnered with fellow emerging player Luke Hanson in the halves after the team was forced to adjust due to injuries to Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin. This pairing marked the seventh halves combination the Warriors have fielded this season.

Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook acknowledged the difficulty his team faced after losing Saifiti so early and expressed pride in his side’s effort under challenging circumstances. Holbrook pointed out the impact of last-minute tries conceded and noted that the upcoming bye week would be beneficial as his squad prepares for the finals. Saifiti’s early send-off casts doubt on his participation for the remainder of the season unless Newcastle advances deep into the finals series.

The win lifts the Warriors back to the top of the NRL ladder, edging out Penrith by a narrow points differential. Their recent form has been strong, with 201 points scored over their last five matches, positioning them as serious contenders in the competition’s closing stages. Meanwhile, the Knights face a week off before the final round, needing other results to secure a favourable finals position.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.