Uate hat-trick helps Knights slay Roosters

The Newcastle Knights have turned on the razzle-dazzle to overcome the Sydney Roosters 34-18 at Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium.

Wingers Akuila Uate and Cooper Vuna were too hot to handle, nabbing five tries between them against a Roosters outfit that made too many errors at crucial times.

However, the win came at a cost for the Knights, Evarn Tuimavave, Isaac de Gois and Shannon McDonnell all left the field with injuries at various stages of the match. Tuimavave ruptured his Achilles tendon and is more than likely out for the season.

Newcastle lost centre Junior Sau to injury only moments before kick off but it didn't seem to have any effect as they posted the first two tries through Uate and fullback Shannon McDonnell.

The Roosters hit back, with two tries of their own to level at 12-all, before a piece of Uate brilliance tilted the ledger in favour of the Knights on the stroke of halftime. The Fijian flyer regathered his side's short kick off and then barged his way over the line.

Uate grabbed his third four-pointer in the early stages of the second half following the sin-binning of Jason Ryles for back chat.

But the Roosters reduced the deficit to 22-18 when Anthony Minichiello capitalised on a stunning offload from Queenslander Nate Myles. From then on in it was all red and blue though, as five-eighth Ben Rogers set up Vuna twice with two well placed kicks.

Sydney have the chance to regroup with the bye next week, while Newcastle take on Wests Tigers at home on Friday night.

Match Details
Sydney Roosters 18 were defeated by Newcastle Knights 34
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 10 - Saturday May 15, 2010 7:30pm
Venue: Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Referee: Gavin Badger and Adam Devcich
Video Referee: Russell Smith
Touch Judges: Adam Reid and Dave Munro
Crowd: 10,018
Halftime: Sydney Roosters 12 Newcastle Knights 18

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Akuila Uate (3 Tries)
2 Points - Ben Rogers
1 Point - Cooper Vuna (2 Tries)

Sydney Roosters (18)
Tries: Anthony Minichiello, Braith Anasta, Mitchell Aubusson
Conversions: Todd Carney (3/3)

Newcastle Knights (34)
Tries: Cooper Vuna (2), Akuila Uate (3), Shannon McDonnell
Conversions: Kurt Gidley (5/6)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good evening and welcome to Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium for the heritage round clash between Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters.
It is, of course, the last chance for players to make a statement before the Origin teams are named on Monday night. In particular, Knights' fullback Kurt Gidley will be looking for a big performance to confirm his status as NSW skipper.
Newcastle claimed the U20s with a convincing 34-4 win.
Some changes for both teams..
Roosters: Aiden Guerra replaces Nick Kouparitsas on the bench.
Knights: Kurt Gidley moves to halfback, Shannon McDonnell is the new fullback. Constantine Mika replaces Cameron Ciraldo on the bench.
1 min: Knights kick off!
1 min: Drama already for Newcastle, Junior Sau suffered an injury in the warm up, Wes Naiqama is the new centre.
3 min: Akuila Uate makes a half break down the right flank but it's snuffed out by the cover defence.
5 min: Cooper Vuna charges into the defence, knocking Kenny-Dowall into next week - Knights get a penalty as well.
8 min: Gidley finds touch. It's early days but the Knights look up for this contest tonight.
9 min: Roosters throw a poor offload, Gidley picks up the scraps and Newcastle is on the attack.
12 min: TRY
The Knights get repeat sets on the Roosters' line and a simple catch and pass movement finds an overlap for Akuila Uate to score in the corner. Gidley converts from the sideline.
Newcastle Knights 6-0
15 min: Sydney have barely touched the ball in the opening exchanges.
16 min: TRY
What a stunning try! Dan Tolar throws a nice offload to Gidley, who comes up with an equally as impressive flick pass for Shannon McDonnell to score under the posts. Gidley converts.
Newcastle Knights 12-0
20 min: Lopini Paea is in all sorts of trouble for the Roosters, it looks like a dislocated shoulder.
21 min: The Knights get six again on the Roosters line but a Simpson error relieves the pressure.
23 min: Sydney lose about 40 metres trying to get a kick away on the last tackle - they eventually suceed.
24 min: Uate flies down the touchline but is ankle tapped by Anthony Minichiello.
26 min: TRY
Sydney finally get some field position and a brilliantly timed pass from Todd Carney sends Mitch Aubusson through a gaping hole in the Knights defence. Carney converts.
Newcastle Knights 12-6
29 min: Paterson goes for an intercept but fumbles - Roosters scrum feed on their 40 metre line.
31 min: Roosters starting to work themselves into the match as possession begins to even out.
32 min: I may have just jinxed Sydney as Carney comes up with an error - apologies to any Roosters fans out there.
36 min: Ben Rogers tries a chip kick but the two Knights chasers both overrun the ball.
37 min: TRY Dewsbury Rams (NL1)
Todd Carney hoists it high on the last tackle and a flying Braith Anasta comes from nowhere to claim the ball and dive over under the posts. Carney converts.
12 all
39 min: TRY
Well where did that come from?! Newcastle go for a short kick off, Uate takes the catch and barges over to score! Freaky, freaky stuff from Akuila Uate. Gidley converts.
Newcastle Knights 18-12
Halftime: As the scoreline suggests, it's pretty even at Gosford so far. A piece of Akuila Uate magic left the Roosters shell-shocked just before the break but it's still anyone's game.
There have been some thrilling tries tonight, make sure you catch a highlights package over the next few days.
41 min: We're underway in the second half! Knights get the ball.
42 min: Newcastle making some early inroads thanks to two penalties in a row.
42 min: Jason Ryles is sent to the bin! Apparently his language wasn't too friendly with the referees.
43 min: TRY
Newcastle spin the ball wide and the Roosters haven't adjusted in Ryles' absence, Uate finds himself unmarked on the wing and claims his hat-trick. Gidley's conversion falls short.
Newcastle Knights 22-12
45 min: A frantic start to the second half, just from where we left off in the first.
48 min: Sydney on the offensive now following a Paterson knock on - Todd Carney grubbers ahead and forces a goal line dropout.
49 min: Time is called off as Isaac de Gois stays down with what looks like a pretty serious rib injury - he's carried off on a stretcher.
50 min: Keith Lulia goes into touch off the scrum, well we've seen some of the best and some of the worst of rugby league tonight.
52 min: TRY
And there's the brilliance! Nate Myles dummies, steps and gets a wonderful offload out under pressure to Anthony Minichiello in support. Carney converts.
Newcastle Knights 22-18
54 min: Todd Carney makes an error as the Roosters try to spread the ball in their own half.
58 min: Evarn Tuimavave is helped off the field with an injury.
58 min: Newcastle have forced consecutive dropouts - can the Roosters hold on for a third straight set?
58 min: Video referee - possible Newcastle try..
58 min: TRY
Ben Rogers puts in a deft grubber and Cooper Vuna slides in for a try in the corner. Gidley converts.
Newcastle Knights 28-18
61 min: Shannon McDonnell has now left the field for Newcastle, they're down to just one fit man on the bench.
62 min: Ben Cross is very cross after making a basic error - Roosters get the scrum inside the Knights' half.
65 min: Todd Carney chips back towards the posts and big Frank-Paul Nuuausala dives over for what looks like a try - but he's ruled offside.
68 min: Kenny-Dowall breaks the line but throws the pass to Friend, who is wrapped up by the cover defence.
70 min: News just in.. apparently Tuimavave has ruptured his achilles tendon and is gone for the season.
71 min: Sydney make yet another error, giving the Knights a chance to put this game out of reach.
75 min: In an act of desperation, Anasta bombs high but Gidley takes it comfortably.
76 min: Con Mika absolutely smashes Friend, biggest hit I've seen so far this year.
77 min: TRY
It's Ben Rogers for Cooper Vuna again, this time through a chip to the corner which sits up perfectly for Vuna, who claims his double. Gidley converts.
Newcastle Knights 34-18
78 min: Vuna and Uate have been sensational for the Knights tonight, they've looks dangerous with every run.
Fulltime: Make sure you check out a highlights package from tonight, we've seen some fantastic tries - especially from the Knights, who had too much in attack for their opposition.