NRL: NZ Warriors v Newcastle KnightsKickoff 4pm Sunday, 30 AugustGo Media Stadium, AucklandLive blog updates on RNZJett Cleary will make his long-awaited Warriors debut against the Knights on Sunday.Cleary will make his debut paired with Luke Hanson. On Saturday afternoon, the team said it was the least experienced halves combination in Warriors history.They take the place of the halves pairing of Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita."It has been decided not to risk the established halves this week," the Warriors said."Martin was named on Tuesday to return from a hamstring complaint which kept him out of the last three matches against Penrith, Brisbane and South Sydney."However, he has been omitted tomorrow as has Harris-Tavita who has a minor hamstring issue. Both will train fully next week to line up in the final regular season match against Manly Warringah on Saturday (September 5).It had been looking highly unlikely Jett - the son of former Warrior Ivan Cleary, and younger brother of of four-time premiership winner Nathan - would ever make his first grade debut with the Warriors after being granted an early release from his contract on compassionate grounds.It allows him to return to Australia at the end of the 2026 season.Quiet force behind Warriors' riseWhile Leka Halasima will happily charge headfirst into an NRL defence line, when it comes to fronting the cameras, he is quick to turn the other way.The NZ Warriors superstar has been notorious for avoiding media since exploding onto the rugby league scene, admitting as much during his one and only appearance in front of journalists this season."I've been hiding," he said with a smile.Though uncomfortable with the spotlight, Halasima plays a big role behind the scenes at the club.Teammate Demitric Vaimauga said 'Leka the Wrecker' was equally impressive off the pitch."There's way more to Leka than his special plays and his quietness, his shyness," the Warriors second-rower said. "He's a real intelligent guy."After a mid-season slump, Vaimauga said Halasima took it upon himself to inspire his fellow rookies and get things back on track."We have a little group chat, Leka started it. We weren't going so well in the middle of the season, we had a little rough patch, so Leka brought us all together, fired us up and just reminded us how how special it is to be on the the big stage all together."It was, like, just remember why we're here, what got us here, go back to our superpowers, our strengths and just play footy."Vaimauga said the pep talk was the catalyst for the younger members in the squad rediscovering their form."There was a stretch there where Jakey [Jacob Laban] was playing probably the best footy for us. Ali [Leiataua] found his groove again, and I just felt most of us young boys stepped up and were playing some good footy, which has taken us to where we are now."Warriors superstar Leka Halasima is making his voice heard behind the scenes.Andrew Cornaga/PhotosportSitting prettyDare to dream, Warriors fans.The club is sitting high up on the NRL ladder and have a maiden championship in their sights, but with two rounds remaining in the regular season, the race for the minor premiership looms as a dramatic one.The penultimate assignment for the Warriors before playoffs sees them host the Knights in Auckland on Sunday afternoon.HistoryThe Warriors have played the Knights 52 times since 1998 and hold a 28-23 head-to-head advantage, with one draw.The Warriors have won their past three against the Newcastle side - their last loss came in 2024, when they went down 14-8.The biggest win for the Warriors came back in 2007, when Wade McKinnon, Jerome Ropati and Grant Roveli all bagged try doubles in a 52-10 rout.The sole draw occurred in 2000, when the sides could not be separated and shared the spoils in an 18-18 deadlock.FormThe Warriors are coming off a strong 45-26 victory over South Sydney, ending an eight-match winning streak at Allianz for the Bunnies and marking a fourth successive win for the New Zealand club.This sent them to No.1 in the competition on points differential, one clear of Penrith Panthers.Meanwhile, the Knights lost 44-24 at home to the Sea Eagles, but kept their sixth spot on the points table.The Warriors will be without prolific tryscorer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak for the rest of the regular season, after the star winger broke his collarbone in the weekend's win over the Rabbitohs.PhotosportTeamsThe Warriors have made three changes for Sunday's match, including the addition of right winger Luke Laulilii, who comes in for [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/1084351/injury-blow-to-warriors-as-star-winger-dallin-watene-zelezniak-sidelined-with-broken-collarbone Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who broke his collarbone in last weekend's win over the Rabbitohs.Laulilii will become the Warriors' 300th NRL player, after signing from Wests Tigers in June. The 20-year-old scored 10 tries in 17 NRL appearances for his former club.Halfback Te Maire Martin comes back from injury to partner Chanel Harris-Tavita, after missing the last three matches with a hamstring injury.For the Knights, both Dane Gagai and Francis Manuleleua have been named to return, after missing last week's clash with Manly, but both Dominic Young and Tyson Frizell are sidelined due to suspension. Kiwi Phoenix Crossland has also been ruled out, after undergoing knee surgery.Team listsWarriors: 1.Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Luke Laulilii, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Leka Halasima, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Luke Hanson, 7.Jett Cleary, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitchell Barnett, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin ClarkInterchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 18. Adam Pompey, 19.Morgan Gannon.Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Fletcher Hunt, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Fletcher Sharpe, 7. Sandon Smith, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Harrison Graham, 10. Trey Mooney, 11. Jermaine McEwen, 12. Francis Manuleleua, 13. Mat CrokerInterchange: 14. Thomas Cant, 15. Cody Hopwood, 16. Lachlan Crouch, 17. Pasami Saulo, 18. Toby Winter, 19. Diesel Hagan.What will happenThere is far too much on the line for the Warriors and coach Andrew Webster has them playing far too cohesively for them to drop this one. With the added motivation of a minor premiership in sight, the home side should put on another dominant display in front of the faithful.A frenetic final fortnightWith the Roosters, Panthers and Warriors all on 38 points, the fight for first will be fierce. The Warriors edge Penrith by just one in the points differential, although they enjoy a decent run home with games in Auckland against the Knights and Sea Eagles.Buckle up.