Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 25

Warriors suffer heaviest defeat of the season 

Richard Becht

The One New Zealand Warriors’ hold on second spot in the New South Wales Cup is shaky following their heaviest defeat of the season in tonight’s 25th-round clash against the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at Daniel Anderson Stadium.

The home side entered the contest on 31 points on the back of three straight wins with just a point back to South Sydney in third spot.

Facing a seventh-placed Sea Eagles side desperate to make a late push for a spot in the top five, they put on a disappointing display to slide to a 12-32 loss.

By half-time the Sea Eagles were 18-0 ahead with the Warriors failing to impose themselves on the match.

The start of the second spell was no better as the Sea Eagles posted another two tries to leap out to a 26-0 advantage with 30 minutes still to play.

Not until the 56th minute did the Warriors make an impression on the scoreboard when Jacob Laban scored.

It was brief reprieve as centre Clayton Faulalo scored his third try to take his side out to a commanding 32-6 lead before halfback Ronald Volkman reduced the damage with a last-minute try.

The One New Zealand Warriors are away to St George Illawarra in their final regular season match next weekend.

Parramatta Eels v Sydney Roosters

Eels down Roosters as Brown binned twice

Sam Kosack

Game summary

Parramatta Eels have scored a 22-12 win over the Sydney Roosters in Round 25 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at CommBank Stadium in a match which saw Roosters forward Nathan Brown sin-binned twice for foul play.

Both teams were hoping to finish the season on a high with the finals already out of reach and the Roosters having already secured the wooden spoon. 

Winger Waqa Blake scored the opening try for the Eels after crossing in the left corner five minutes into the contest. Five-eighth Joshua Lynn put a perfectly placed kick over the top for a flying Blake to collect on the bounce and cross in the corner. Jordan Rankin missed the conversion for a 4-0 lead.

The Roosters responded in emphatic fashion, scoring one of the tries of the season in the 21st minute.

Having sustained multiple sets on their own try line, Roosters fullback and captain Ethan King recovered a grubber kick in his own in-goal and beat multiple defenders to run 50m downfield. From the next play, the ball shifted out to centre Jaxson Paulo who threw a miraculous, soaring pass 35m across field to winger Tavita Henare-Schuster to go over untouched. Paulo converted for a 6-4 lead. 

The Roosters finished the half a player down after Brown was sin binned for a high tackle. It was the first time Brown had played his old club since leaving the Eels midway through the season. 

Both teams soon found themselves a man short after Rankin was sin binned for a professional foul just before half-time. Corey Allan broke through some weak Eels defence, and with an impending 2-on-1 against his fullback, Rankin illegally Paulo back off the ball to deny him a certain try. 

The Eels locked the scores up at 6-all on the back of a penalty before Haze Dunster scored to retake the lead. Having marched the length of the field over the course of the set, Dunster duped the Roosters markers before muscling over to extending the lead to four. 

Tensions erupted with 25 minutes to go with Brown finding himself in the bin again, only 15 minutes after returning to the field. The Roosters forward struck out at a player on halfway, throwing multiple punches to leave his team with 12 players once again.

It would took less than a minute for the Eels to make the Roosters pay, with a strong run from Makahesi Makatoa giving the home side a 10-point lead; their largest of the match so far. Already having to defend a player down for 10 minutes, the tired Roosters defence had no answers for Makatoa’s barnstorming run.

Rankin sealed the result for his side, scoring off the back of a break from hooker Jayden Yates. Yates ducked under some tired Roosters defence, scooting 30m down field before being caught. On the last tackle, an Eels kick to the corner saw Jack Murchie tap the ball down, before a shift of hands allowed Rankin to run through space to score. He converted to extend the lead to 22-6. 

The Roosters scored a consolation try three minutes before full-time through centre Noel Aukafolau. A shift down the right gave Aukafolau the space to score in the corner, before Paulo converted from the sideline to reduce the margin to 10. 

Talking points

• The prop combo of Ofahiki Ogden and Makatoa was impressive for the Eels, providing a strong platform for the likes of Rankin, hooker Jayden Yates, and Lynn to work off, while Makatoa also crossed for a try of his own. 
• Brown is facing a possible suspension after being placed on report twice for a high tackle and punch respectively. Having only returned from a one-game suspension this week, it’s possible Brown could face a longer stint on the sidelines this time around. 

Ogden also faces a nervous wait at the judiciary after being placed on report 15 minutes into the contest.

Key moment

Brown’s second sin binning with 25 minutes was too big a hurdle for the Roosters to overcome. The Eels scored while he was off the field for the second time, ultimately putting the score beyond the Roosters reach. Forced to defend a player down for 20 minutes of the game, the Roosters struggled to rebound with points, even after his return, leaving any potential comeback too late to pose a threat to the Eels. 

What's next?

Both sides will look to finish their seasons on a high note against tough oppositions in the final round of the regular season. Parramatta take on Penrith away on Saturday, while the Roosters play the Western Suburbs Magpies at home on Sunday.

Newcastle Knights v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Rabbitohs secure a top 2 finish with comeback win

Mason Cernoy

Game summary

Working with a 12-point deficit at the break, the South Sydney Rabbitohs clawed their way back to win 26-16 against the Newcastle Knights in Round 25 of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

A strong start on both sides of the ball allowed South Sydney to apply some early pressure when Dean Hawkins forced a dropout off the back of a Knights’ error. Souths would waste no time opening things up, when Blake Taaffe swept across to the right and put Tyrone Munro over in the 6th minute to make the score 4-nil.

With the Rabbitohs having all the momentum in the opening exchanges of the match, it would take a repeat set from a regathered charge down to get the Knights down the field. After regathering his own grubber for a second repeat set, Liam Sutton made sure his side took advantage of their first attacking opportunity when he put Dylan Lucas through a hole in the 15th minute and added the extras to take a 6-4 lead.

A few minutes later, Knights winger Keanu Wainohu-Kemp slipped and was collected high, leading to a penalty. Finding themselves back in attacking territory, Newcastle shifted the ball out to the right, where fullback David Armstrong sliced through the left edge South Sydney. Armstrong sprinted 30 metres to score Newcastle’s second, extending their lead to 12-4 in the 21st minute, before Laitia Moceidreke found the line just 5 minutes after.

The Knights headed into the sheds with a 12 point lead and all the momentum, and South Sydney, who were playing for a home final knew they had a lot of work to do in the second half.

Thanks to back-to-back penalties in the opening set of the half, South Sydney marched downfield and put Newcastle under some early pressure. However, it would take 18 minutes of trading blows before the Rabbitohs began closing the gap, when Taaffe combined with Munro once again to make the score 16-8.

The arm-wrestle continued, with South Sydney coming up with errors in their own half twice after points. Newcastle failed to be as clinical in attack as they were in the first half and were unable to extend their lead.

After an obstruction penalty went against the Knights on halfway, the Rabbitohs were back on the attack. It was Davvy Moale who crashed through 3 defenders under the posts to bring his side back within 2 points, before making it a double just 4 minutes later when a Moceidreke error handed Souths another attacking chance. After being behind since the 15th minute of the contest, the South Sydney Rabbitohs now led 20-16 with only 10 minutes to play.

A high shot on Taaffe in the 77th minute gave the Rabbitohs another penalty, where they proceeded to roll down the field through a Jaxson Rahme line break. On the following play, Daniel Suluka-Fifita crashed over under the goalposts for a third Souths’ try in the final 15 minutes, all but putting the contest to bed. The full time scoreline was Newcastle Knights 16, South Sydney Rabbitohs 26.

Talking points

• Liam Sutton had an excellent game for the Knights, creating plenty of opportunities through his short kicking game as well as his ball playing.
• The Blake Taaffe and Tyrone Munro combination was an extremely valuable one, creating two tries on the right edge together for South Sydney. This will be the edge to watch come finals time.
• The South Sydney front row dominated the middle in the final 15 minutes, with Moale and Suluka-Fifita combining for three tries under the posts in this period.

Key moment

Davvy Moale’s double saw the Rabbitohs jump from an 8-point deficit to a 4 point lead in the span of just 4 minutes, which they would hold for the rest of the match.

What’s next?

With the bye next week, South Sydney have locked in 2nd position and a home final for Week 1. Meanwhile Newcastle - who are out of finals contention - will take on the Newtown Jets and try to end their season with a win.

Canberra Raiders v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Canberra Raiders keep their finals hopes alive

Tahlie Gavin

The Canberra Raiders have come out with a huge 40-12 victory over the 5th-placed Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the nation’s capital, keeping their finals hopes alive.

The Bulldogs came out strong early in the first half, adding the first four points of the game just 10 minutes in. A simple catch and pass down the short side saw the Raiders' defensive line hesitate and winger Ethan Quai-Ward managed to go over to score. A failed conversion from Paul Alamoti left the Bulldogs with an early four-point lead.

The Bulldogs were on an attacking raid right before the efforts of Raiders’ five-eighth Ethan Strange were paid off. Strange fended off defenders before tapping a grubber kick through to inside runner Xavier Savage who scored under the posts. Savage found himself another four-pointer just minutes later, this time off an Adrian Trevilyan grubber kick which saw the winger come up with the ball to score.

Ethan Strange’s efforts were rewarded again in the 30th minute as he got a simple off-the-hip pass away to Luke Webley who got over the tryline. Chevy Stewart successfully converted once again.

The Bulldogs managed to add another four points to their scoreline before the halftime siren sounded. Off the back of a Raiders error, Jeral Skelton received a pass straight through the backline to score in the corner. A failed conversion from Alamoti saw the halftime score 18-8 to the Canberra Raiders.

It didn’t take long for the Canberra Raiders to begin their second half domination, as Joshua James stepped around defenders before finding a defensive gap to run through and score five minutes into the second half. The Raiders were in again just minutes later, with a simple catch-and-pass sequence to the right ending with a Brad Morkos try.

Xavier Savage came up with his third try of the afternoon through his own efforts in the 59th minute. Savage danced around the Bulldogs' defence, before running back towards midfield where he put in a grubber kick for himself, regathered and scored. Just 2 minutes later, Pasami Saulo added the final points to the Raiders scoreline with a fortunate try.

The Bulldogs managed to get another try in before fulltime through Quai-Ward scoring in the corner, but it was too late for a comeback as the Canberra Raiders came away with a 40-12 victory.

Talking points

• The Canberra Raiders are now on a four game winning streak as they prepare to face the North Sydney Bears next weekend in a must-win game. A win would see the Raiders guaranteed a place in the finals, whereas a loss could see them potentially drop out, pending other results.

Key moment

Xavier Savage made an awesome return from a long injury lay-off with 3 incredible tries, the third of which essentially secured a Raiders' victory. Savage showed off his moves as he danced around defenders. He then made a move to the middle of the field, where he kicked for himself to score a spectacular solo try.

What’s next?

The Canberra Raiders head to North Sydney Oval to take on the 1st-placed North Sydney Bears on Sunday August 27th. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs take on the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium the same day.

North Sydney Bears v Penrith Panthers

Panthers steal win at North Sydney

Lachlan Jeffrey

The Penrith Panthers remain alive in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, coming from 18-8 behind at halftime to claim a thrilling 26-18 win over the North Sydney Bears.

The Panthers spent much of the second half camped down the Bears' end, however it took two brilliant plays from halfback Trent Toelau in the final 10 minutes to snatch victory over the Minor Premiers.

The result now means the Panthers must beat the Eels in the final round and hope that either the Warriors or Raiders lose, or Sea Eagles win by four or less points than Panthers, to make the finals.

Neither side gave an inch for the first 15 minutes, however it was the Bears who opened the scoring when Isaiah Iongi couldn’t handle a floating Sam Walker bomb, allowing Ben Stevanovic to touch down. Walker converted to give the Bears a 6-0 lead.

In a double blow, Matt Stimson succumbed to a injury to his left shoulder, forcing a reshuffle that saw Jack Cole move to centre and Kurt Falls into the halves.

Strong Panthers defence gave them multiple attacking chances, finally capitalising in the 23rd minute when Trent Toelau and Jaeman Salmon combined with Jesse McLean for a try in the right-hand corner.

The joy was short-lived though, as the Panthers let the ball bounce dead from the kick-off. A Walker grubber in the following set resulted in a try to Reuben Porter, with Walker again converting to make the score 12-4.

The Panthers hit back in the 34th minute when McLean took a cross-field kick and stayed alive finding Iongi, who dummied and crashed over in the corner, reducing the deficit to four.

A penalty late in the half gave the Bears an easy passage downfield where Daeon Amituanai put down a Walker kick, presenting a try for Alfred Smalley. Walker converted from the sideline, making the Bears lead 18-8 at half time.

After multiple errors the Panthers finally managed to get it right in the 58th minute when they kept the ball alive with a string of offloads, resulting in a try to Falls. Cole converted from adjacent to the uprights to reduce the deficit back to four.

An out-on-the-full kick-off put the Panthers straight back onto the attack, however another error down the Bears' end saw them turn the ball over.

A piece of brilliance from Trent Toelau brought the scores level with 10 minutes remaining, running the ball through a gap on the last before putting in a banana kick for McLean to score his second. Cole landed the conversion from the sideline, putting the Panthers ahead for the first time in the afternoon, 20-18.

Toelau once again turned creator, running the ball on the last with 90 seconds left to set Eddie Blacker up for the match-winner. Cole converted on the siren, wrapping up the upset win, 26-18.

Western Suburbs Magpies v Newtown Jets

Jets soar past Magpies in dominant win

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

The Newtown Jets secured a commanding victory on Sunday, defeating the Western Suburbs Magpies 56-20 at Lidcombe Oval.

A fast start for the Magpies saw Sione Hopoate go over on the right side to give the hosts a four-point lead.

The Jets responded eight minutes later when centre Kayal Iro broke through the opposition line before offloading to winger Tom Rodwell to dive over in the left corner.

The visitors went back-to-back when lock forward Jesse Colquhoun powered his way over to extend his side’s lead to 12-4.

Magpies hooker James Valevatu brought his side back within two points through a dummy-half scoot, planting the ball down for his third try of the season.

Momentum swung back to the Jets when a late offload found Tom Rodwell, who dived over for his second try of the afternoon.

The away side dominated the remainder of the second half scoring through Kayal Iro, who loomed up in support following a line-break from Kyle Pickering before a set play off the scrum found winger Jenson Taumoepeau. He stepped back inside to score and take the Jets into halftime leading the Magpies 28-10.

The Magpies squandered a chance with an error in the left corner, before the Jets extended their already convincing lead through a try to Addison Demetriou.

The visitors punished the home side’s defence through another try directly from a scrum, this time by Mawene Hiroti, who raced away untouched after a brilliant offload from Manaia Waitere.

The Jets extended the margin to 30 when Rodwell secured his hat-trick through a left-side shift, before Tuku Hau Tapuha added his name to the scoresheet to give his side a 44-10 lead.

Newtown continued their onslaught through Samuel Healey, who crashed his way over after coming off the bench to help his side reach the half-century.

The Magpies finally scored their first try of the second half with 10 minutes remaining, through a show and go from Aitasi James near the line before diving over.

The Jets weren’t finished, however, as Caleb Uele powered his way over for Newtown’s 11th try of the afternoon and increased their lead to 56-16.

Josh Feledy scored a consolation try off a Zane Camroux line-break and offload to finish the game, with the Newtown Jets securing a dominant 56-20 victory over the Western Suburbs Magpies.

Talking points

• The Jets’ left-edge attack was clinical, scoring four of their 11 tries in the left corner.
• Newtown dominated the majority of the game, breaking the opposition line in all areas of the field.

Key moment

Tom Rodwell’s second try which really kicked things off for the Jets. With the score 12-10 in favour of the visitors, a clever offload found the Jets’ winger who finished off in the corner. He scored the first of eight unanswered tries.

What’s next?

The Magpies finish off their season away from home next week against the Sydney Roosters, while the Jets travel to Newcastle to play the Knights Round 26.