The Warriors take on the Newcastle Knights in Auckland on Sunday and given that the first game of the season was against the Knights, I reckon this game is a nice barometer of how the Warriors are traveling. I had a look at the bigger picture for the Warriors this week but a game against the Knights this weekend is the perfect opportunity to see how much progress has been made in the 10 rounds since that first up loss.

We welcome back Sam Tomkins, see Tui Lolohea move to the centres while Sebastine Ikahihifo comes on to the bench along with Saliva Havili. You could make a case that this is one of the best 17's we've put on the field so far this season but the proof will be in the pudding.

The Knights are a brutal footy side. Richie Barnett in all his wisdom, writing for a terrible publication that should remain nameless pointed to Jeremy Smith and Beau Scott as an example of the Knights forward pack. Dumb.

According to the NRL, Smith won't even be playing. Shot Richie.

There's much more to this Knights side and there was about 30 minutes last week in their loss to the Broncos where they simply steamrolled through the middle. The Sims brothers are dangerous with Tariq on the left edge up against Bodene Thompson while Korbin will come off the bench and he's a big lump of a lad.

Kade Snowden is near career best form which has evaded him in his Newcastle career while Jack Stockwell and Chris Houston are dangerous big men who get around the park.

Point being, the Warriors are going to be in for one hell of a battle through the middle of the field. Ben Matulino will be all good but how will Jacob Lillyman go backing up from Origin?

We're going to need plenty of oomph from Sam Lisone and Albert Vete which they've offered all season. I also like the inclusion of Ikahihifo who can hold his own in the middle but offers a bit more as well, he's athletic and works hard, giving the Warriors three forwards to add some impact off the bench.

Our backline is going to be in for a tough test as well. Only Manu Vatuvei has a big size advantage and the centre pairing of Lolohea and Solomone Kata have to ask questions of Joey Leilua and Sione Mata'utia with footwork and speed.

Tomkins should be a big boost. It's going to be very interesting to see how he helps out Shaun Johnson and Chad Townsend; does he make them better? He should and I think there will be less pressure on the halves in attack because they know that there's a bloke there waiting to add the polish.

I'm picking Havili to be the man to spark the Warriors into gear. I've been asking for his inclusion for weeks and it's taken an injury for him to get a chance, which is fair enough but you need a dummy half who can run the ball. Hopefully Havili isn't shy and has a go as often as possible, then the forwards can role forward and Johnson will have bit more time on the front foot.

I'm pretty bloody excited to be honest because the Knights offer a nice test. They aren't the best team but if you're off your game, they'll make you pay and the Warriors need to get a nice buffer inside the top eight, desperately.

Be grateful folks, it was fantastic to see two Warriors going against each other in Origin. Every time I saw Hoffman getting a face massage or a whack or when he was in that scuffle, I hated whoever dared to mess with Hoff. When Lillyman was about to get on the field I let out a "BULL!" and got excited. When he hit the ball up, I crept to the edge of the couch. It was great and long may it continue.

Sunday, 2pm, revenge will be served.