The Warriors have finally started an NRL season with a victory - but it wasn't pretty. They have beaten the Newcastle Knights 26-22 at Mt Smart Stadium.

Centre David Fusitu’a scored a first-half hat-trick to put his side in prime position, only for the Knights’ Jack Stockwell and Nathan Ross to turn the match around in the second half, but with a heroic 73rd minute Ryan Hoffman try proving the match winner and made sure the hapless Knights suffer their 19th straight NRL loss.