Knights v Roosters preview

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Newcastle Knights v Sydney Roosters Saturday 5:30pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Time to make a mid-year move 

The Newcastle Knights will be looking to post back-to-back wins for the first time since the opening fortnight of the season when they host the Sydney Roosters on Saturday evening.

Riding high after a stirring come-from-behind victory last Thursday, the Newcastle Knights will be aiming to build on that performance and repay the faith shown by their passionate home supporters.

Overcoming a 16-0 halftime deficit to record a 26-22 victory over the Sea Eagles in golden point, coach Adam O'Brien has named maligned playmaker Jackson Hastings for the first time in 2025, while Phoenix Crossland will shift to lock in a move that allows Matt Arthur to join the bench.

Set to be without Kalyn Ponga after the golden point hero was selected for Queensland, the Knights have underperformed without their representative stars historically with three wins from 12 pre-Origin fixtures over the past decade.

Holding a poor record against the Roosters with one win from seven meetings during O'Brien's tenure, the Knights last win over the tricolours on home soil occurred back in 2019.

Travelling to the Hunter rejuvenated following a bye over the King's Birthday long weekend, the Sydney Roosters will be aiming to continue an emphatic record over the Novocastrians.

Winning 16 out of 19 matches against the Knights during Trent Robinson's tenure as coach, including eight of ten contested in Newcastle, the Roosters have scored more than twice as many points during that period (549-250).

Lining up without five State of Origin representatives for the second time this season, the Roosters have named Sam Walker for the first time since tearing his ACL on the eve of the finals last year, while Dominic Young has been named for what is likely to be his final appearance for the club before rejoining Newcastle.

The Roosters have won eight of their past 13 matches without Origin players, including a narrow 18-16 win over the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium two years ago.

Winning five matches apiece yet sitting in 15th and 10th on the ladder due to points differential and an additional bye for the Roosters, the two sides will be treating Saturday night as a must-win in order to stay in touch with the top eight.

Last meeting: Round 6 2024 - Knights 20 Roosters 22

Who to watch: Showcasing passing skills last week that have rarely been sighted during his time in the NRL, Kai Pearce-Paul will be looking to make the most of his attacking abilities as his time at the Knights draws to a close. Announcing a move to the Wests Tigers in the aftermath of last week's come-from-behind victory at home, the 24-year-old English international showed signs of the talent that led him to make the move down under. Remaining solid in defence with 41 tackles on average each week, look for the Knights to lean into Pearce-Paul's attacking abilities over the second half of the season.

When Billy Smith plays his eighth game of the season on Saturday evening, it will be only the second time the injury-plagued centre has achieved the feat in his career. Touted as the long-term replacement for Latrell Mitchell while still a teenager, the 25-year-old has begun to realise that potential with 100 running metres on average this season. Marking up against Dane Gagai, one of the most experienced outside backs in the league, Smith will need to be at his best to shut down one of the Knights' key attacking threats.

Favourite: Having shown how potent they can be without their representative stars already this season, the Roosters are favoured to get the job done in Newcastle.

My tip: For as underwhelming as the Knights have been for much of 2025 to date, the resolve shown to win last week may be the catalyst needed for a much-improved second half of the year. Knights by 4.

1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Fletcher Hunt 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Mathew Croker 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Tyrone Thompson 20. Mason Teague 21. Brock Greacen 22. Wilson De Courcey

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Salesi Foketi 11. Egan Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Sandon Smith 15. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 17. Nat Butcher 18. Ethan King 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Taylor Losalu 21. Tom Rodwell 23. Delasalle Vaa

Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Kasey Badger, Jon Stone; Video Referees: Adam Gee;