Roosters vs Knights – NRL Pre-Season Thriller Unfolds in Gosford
What a game we’ve had in the NRL pre-season trials! The Sydney Roosters faced off against the Newcastle Knights in what turned out to be a dramatic and intense clash at Industree Group Stadium. The match had everything – big hits, controversial calls, and some brilliant tries.
Right from the kickoff, the Knights set the tempo, with Jacob Saifiti crashing over early to put Newcastle on the board. Phoenix Crossland played a key role, setting up Saifiti with a slick pass from dummy-half, and just like that, the Knights were up 6-0. The Roosters, meanwhile, were struggling to find their rhythm, and things got worse when Spencer Leniu was sent to the sin bin for a high shot. Not only was he binned, but he also had to go off for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA), leaving his team a man down.
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With the Roosters scrambling in the heat, Newcastle took full advantage. A long-range effort from Sharpe saw the Knights extend their lead, and then came a crucial moment – a penalty try awarded to Newcastle after Nat Butcher was ruled to have illegally taken out Saifiti during a grubber chase. The Bunker didn’t hesitate, and suddenly, the Knights were up 18-0.
Just when it looked like Newcastle were running away with it, the Roosters started to fight back. Spencer Leniu, fresh from his sin-bin stint, made an immediate impact. A quick play-the-ball near the posts led to some smooth hands from Mark Nawaqanitawase, who offloaded beautifully to Daniel Tupou, sending him over in the corner. It was a glimpse of the Roosters’ attacking firepower, but they still had a lot of ground to make up.
Adding to the drama, Angus Crichton took a heavy hit but managed to stay on the field, despite concerns about a possible head knock. The Roosters, though, couldn’t quite break through the Knights' defense again, and Newcastle held firm to take a solid win in this pre-season trial.
This game gave us plenty to talk about, from Spencer Leniu’s confusing sin-bin to the Knights’ sharp attacking plays. And with the NRL season fast approaching, both teams will take plenty of lessons from this fiery encounter. If this is what pre-season footy looks like, bring on the regular season!
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