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

Match summary 

Jets commence premiership defence in style

By Stewart Moses

The Newtown Jets have overcome the early loss of boom fullback Liam Ison to record an impressive 26-12 win over a Penrith Panthers side at a wet and slippery Parker St Reserve this afternoon.

The defending premiers made plenty of errors early on and one stage trailed 12-10 early in the second half when centre Thomas Jenkins scored the second of his two tries on his return to the Panthers.

Niwhai Puru, Brad Fearnley, Billy Burns and Riley Pollard played key roles in the Jets' comeback victory, each scoring a try except for the latter who nonetheless impressed with a couple of try assists.

After a nervous start from the both sides it would be the Jets who would score first, when from 40m out from the Penrith line, a quick shift left put winger Eli Clark down the eastern flank before finding halfback Niwahi Puru backing inside to score in the south eastern corner. Puru missed the sideline conversion attempt but the Jets lead 4-0 after 23 minutes of play.

Penrith hit back almost immediately when centre Tom Jenkins swooped on an attacking kick from Brad Schneider to score next to the posts and with Schneider’s successful conversion, the home side took a slender 6-4 lead after 25 minutes.

Interchange forward Brad Fearnley put the Jets back in front when he barged his way over from close range to score underneath the posts and with Puru’s easy conversion, the visitors led 10-6 with six minutes remaining to the break.

A penalty to the Jets right on halftime could have seen the visitors extend their lead but Puru's attempt to convert the penalty hit the post, leaving the Jets leading 10-6 at the main break.

An Asu Kepaoa long-range line-break off a Jets error resulted in a second try a few plays later to Jenkins who scored from close range with off a short pass from Schneider, to put the Panthers ahead 12-10.

It proved to the turning point of the game as an ensuring penalty and six again deep in Panthers territory resulted in a try to winger Kristian Dixon who finished off a slick backline movement from the Jets, putting the visitors back in front 14-12 despite Puru again missing a sideline conversion attempt.

The Jets scored again from the next set back when Rajab broke through the line and linked up with his halves partner to score his second try of the afternoon underneath the posts to give the visitors the biggest lead of the game 20-12.

The Jets capitalised moments later on attack when skipper Billy Burns crashed over out wide from close range and with Puru’s conversion, Newtown were finally in firm control of the game leading 26-12.

Penrith continued to throw plenty at the Jets' defence over the closing stages but were unable to reduce the gap, with the Jets running out convincing winners in the end 26-12.

Talking points

• Plenty of fans on hand to see the club debut of key offseason signing Blaize Talagi.
• NRL coach Craig Fitzgibbon was also on hand and would have been impressed to witness their feeder team’s start to the season.
• Plenty of merit in the Jets’ win when considering boom fullback Liam Ison was forced from the field early on with what looked to be a serious left knee injury.
• Newtown Jets forward Jordan Lieu was placed on report in the first half for a high tackle. 

Key moment

Initially there were five lead changes in this game but the Jets took control of the game off the back of tries to Dixon and Puru in consecutive sets turning a 12-10 deficit into a 20-12 lead in the blink of an eye.

A third consecutive try to the Jets through skipper and ex Panther Billy Burns meant the defending premiers would never be headed from there, opening their premiership defence in style with the 26-12 win.

What's next?

Next Saturday Penrith return to Parker Street Reserve when they host the Sydney Roosters while later that afternoon the Newtown Jets will host the Newcastle Knights at Henson Park. 

Canberra Raiders v Warriors

Match summary 

By warriors.kiwi

Centre Moala Graham-Taufa started and iced a terrific second half comeback to earn the One New Zealand Warriors a gritty 18-16 win in their round one New South Wales Cup encounter with Canberra at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney on Saturday.

The Warriors were scratchy in the first half but minimised the damage as they scrambled well to keep the Raiders to a 10-0 advantage to the break.

Centre Moala Graham-Taufa started and iced a terrific second half comeback to earn the One New Zealand Warriors a gritty 18-16 win in their round one New South Wales Cup encounter with Canberra at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney on Saturday.

The Warriors were scratchy in the first half but minimised the damage as they scrambled well to keep the Raiders to a 10-0 advantage to the break.

Then in the second 40 minutes they switched it up, gaining more cohesion in their attack the further the contest went and matching it with resilience and aggression in defence.

Their effort was rewarded in the 49th minute as they mounted pressure on Canberra’s line, working left on the last tackle with halfback Tanah Boyd – in his first match in Warriors colours – threading through a delicate right-footed grubber for Taufa-Graham to race onto to score.

With Boyd’s conversion the Warriors were right in the battle just 6-10 behind.

They faltered on the restart set, losing possession to a one-on-one strip on the third tackle but averted danger.

Two minutes later a Canberra error gave the Warriors a scrum feed 40 metres out from the visitors’ line.

Strong carries from Edward Kosi, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Jacob Laban and Kalani Going had the Warriors just five metres out. Hooker Sam Healey swept left to Te Maire Martin where he held up the defence, fed fullback Geronimo Doyle and he chopped back off his left foot evading three defenders to make it 10-10. Boyd's conversion put his side in the lead for the first time.

It lasted only six minutes as Canberra found attacking rhythm to create space for winger Michael Asomua to score wide out on the left with one-time Warriors squad member Adam Cook converting for a 16-12 lead.

The Warriors weren’t always perfect, coughing up the ball in a great scoring position on Canberra’s line with 10 minutes to go and inviting Canberra back down their end again.

A penalty on halfway with eight minutes to go proved to be the turning point.

Laban and Tom Ale took the Warriors forward on the first two tackles, Martin probed to the left linking with Doyle again before he was stopped. Martin had a dab on the next and then Going carried the ball towards the right-hand post.

On the last tackle the ball went left to Martin again where he went to the line, hitting a charging Graham-Taufa on a run against the grain, the centre leaving multiple defenders on the ground to have the score level at 16-16.

Boyd calmly slotted the conversion for an 18-16 lead with the Warriors then efficiently closed out the contest for a gritty first-up win.

They’re at home next Friday night taking on the Sea Eagles in the early game at Go Media Stadium.  

Western Suburbs Magpies v Newcastle Knights 

Match summary

Knights beat Magpies comfortably in season opener

by George Al-Akiki

The horror 2024 season has followed the Western Suburbs Magpies into their opening campaign of the new year in The Knock On Effect NSW Cup, with the Magpies going down 36-10 by the Newcastle Knights.

The Knights opened the scoring after just seven minutes when a deflected kick from Will Pryce on the last landed perfectly in the path of Connor Votano who crossed over beside the upright, with Pryce converting (6-0). 

However, poor discipline from the Knights saw them fail to complete three consecutive sets directly after points, which allowed the Magpies to pile on the pressure and gain significant field position before Solomone Saukuru found the corner (6-4). 

The Knights continued to stretch the Magpies either side but failed to capitalise on the first half, finishing a tight affair with both teams still in with a chance of taking two points.

But it fell apart for the Magpies just a minute into the second half, as the Knights came out the sheds hard and fast when Pryce broke the right edge of the defence to set up Ayden Hoad (12-4). 

From there the red and blue continued to pile on the pressure as a kick across field from Liam Sutton was dropped cold from Josh Feledy on the tryline, allowing Pryce to scoop up the scraps (18-4).

The now fatigued Magpies were back peddling as the Knights moved up 90m from the kick off with ease, with Thomas Cant getting in on the try scoring action with still more than 24 minutes to play (24-4).

An impressive solo effort from centre Riley Jones saw him weave through the left edge of the Magpies defence and go over untouched, before a smart play from Jacob Davis saw the Knights hooker burrow his way over next to the posts from dummy half to put the icing on the cake for the afternoon (36-4).

The Magpies barely made it out of their own half in the second 40, but a small consolation in the 73rd minute came in the form Max Liles with a deft grubber as the five-eighth collected his own kick and scored (36-10). 

Talking points

•  The Knights errors, particularly in the first half will need to be rectified if they’re to go far this season but have showed they have the attacking capability to move up the pitch fast.
• Will Pryce is the Knights’ main man and will look to orchestrate this side as the season goes on.
• Twin of NRL and Knights star Leo Thompson, Tyrone Thompson had a solid first hit out for his new side.

Key moment

Will Pryce was the star of the show. His early break at the start of the second half opened up the game for Newcastle and his control of the game gave them confidence moving up the field. He assisted two, scored one and completed 6/6 conversions.

What’s next?

The Magpies are set to face Parramatta next Sunday at Ringrose Park while the Knights go up against last year’s premiership winners, the Newtown Jets.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Match summary 

Dragons prove too good for Bulldogs

by Claire Stegbauer

The St George Illawarra Dragons kicked off their 2025 NSW Cup campaign with an at-home win against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. 

The visitors opened the scoring first, with Taniela Otukolo powering over after a strong set, then converted by Taye Cochrane for a 6-0 lead. 

The Dragons struggled to find their rhythm in the red zone, but a moment of brilliance from Tyrell Sloan turned the tide. Spotting a gap, Sloan sliced through the defence and sprinted 80 metres to score, Jonah Glover adding the extras to level at 6-6.

The Bulldogs had an opportunity to extend their lead, with Jordi Mazzone diving over, only for a try-saving tackle to deny him. Moments later, Mazzone got his revenge, crossing off a cut-out pass to push the Bulldogs ahead 10-6 after a missed conversion. 

Under pressure, the Dragons slipped up, allowing Bulldogs debutant Jethro Rinakama to extend the lead to 14-6. The Dragons had a late chance before halftime but couldn’t capitalise, trailing 14-6 at the break. 

The Dragons came out firing in the second half, with Cody Ramsey collecting a high ball on the try line and breaking away. He linked up with Sloan, who finished off the play to cut the deficit to 14-10.

The Bulldogs fumbled the restart, and the Dragons pounced, forcing multiple errors and earning a string of penalties. Corey Allan muscled his way over to level the score at 14-all. 

With unstoppable momentum, halfback Jonah glovers squeezed his way through the defensive pack and over the line, making it three tries in quick succession for the home team. Again off target with an unsuccessful conversion 18-14 

Jacob Halangahu snags a try of his own with the Bulldogs' defence struggling against the Dragons' newfound fiery attack, Cody Ramsey finds the angle, and they finally add the extras, bringing the score to 24-14 

Canterbury refused to go away, and Cassius Tia’s slick hands sent Rinakama over for his second, reducing the margin to 24-20 after a successful conversion. But the moment the crowd had been waiting for arrived soon after—Ramsey backed himself in an aerial stunt and landed for his first try in over two years, sending the stadium into a frenzy. 

In the final moments, Lyhkan King-Togia broke through the line, setting up Finau Latu to score, giving the Dragons a 34-20 lead. The Bulldogs responded with a late push, and Tia crossed for a try, converting it to make it 34-26. However, their last effort fell short, securing a season-opening win for the Dragons. 

Talking points 

• Tyrell Sloan played a pivotal role, scoring two tries and providing a spark in attack throughout the match.
• Jethro Rinakama was a standout for the Bulldogs, scoring a double and keeping his side in the game, but despite his efforts, they couldn’t catch up with the Dragons in the second half.
• Bulldogs forward Jacob Webster was placed on report for a dangerous tackle, and depending on the severity of the charge, he may miss an upcoming game, which would be a blow to the Bulldogs' forward pack. 
   

Key moment  

A key moment in this game was Cody Ramsey remarkable comeback after being sidelined for 896 days due to a battle with chronic bowel disease. In his long-awaited return, he truly shined. Ramsey confidently handled numerous high kicks, gathering them with ease, and delivered an incredible runaway try assist. He also scored a spectacular aerial try and successfully converted, marking a triumphant debut performance and an inspirational story for all NRL fans. 

What's next?

The Dragons will face the Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium in Wollongong next Saturday at 12:40 PM, looking to build on their season-opening victory. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will host the North Sydney Bears at home in Belmore, aiming to bounce back from their narrow defeat.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs 

Match summary

Rabbitohs steal the win over the Sea Eagles

by Ellery Behan

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and South Sydney Rabbitohs have kicked off their respective 2025 NSW Cup campaigns in a hard-fought battle at 4 Pines Park, with the Bunnies coming away with a 22-20 triumph.

The opening exchanges saw plenty of errors, with both sides more than willing to chance their arm out wide in hopes of an early break.

It was the visitors who drew first blood with a spectacular solo effort from Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, fielding a Manly chip kick only to grubber ahead for himself on the zero-tackle from his own 30-metre line, running outside the eastern touch line to beat his opponent to the ball, regathering and going the distance to give his side a 6-0 lead.

Unable to tidy up their sets through the middle, a forward-pass from South Sydney handed possession over to Manly on halfway. The Sea Eagles took full advantage, finding some space on the short side as Jake Arthur sent Max Hayley through a gap to close the deficit to two points.

It wasn’t long before the Rabbitohs reclaimed their six-point lead, working the right edge through Talanoa Penitani who fended off his opposite number and flicked the ball out to winger Dane Towns who stepped inside and found a barnstorming Bentley-Hape for his second try of the afternoon.

A long-range kick return from Clayton Faulolo put Manly in attacking territory five minutes away from half-time, with the fullback himself crossing the stripe a few plays later as he broke South’s defensive line with an explosive right-foot step and dove over. Aaron Schoupp’s conversion clanged against the upright to send the sides into the sheds with a 10-8 score line in favour of the Cardinal red and Myrtle green.

Starting the second period off on the wrong foot, South Sydney handed cheap possession over to Manly on halfway yet again before a determined Caleb Navale charged through two defenders and beat Bentley-Hape for pace to score a brilliant try. Schoupp directed the conversion between the sticks from out wide, notching Manly ahead 14-10.

The Bunnies hit back ten minutes later through a slick backline play, with Bentley-Hape firing a cut-out ball to club debutant Max Lehmann, finding Carson Kaho on the inside who crashed over the line. Bentley-Hape converted from out wide to restore the Rabbitohs’ advantage.

But it was their handling that let South Sydney down yet again, with an error coming out of their own end proving costly as Manly debutant Chris Patolo launched himself through the defensive line and threw the opposing fullback off him to plant it down under the sticks. Schoupp converted from in front to put Manly up 20-16.

With under five minutes left on the clock and the game on the line, the visitors probed around Manly’s try line in search of a match winner. They found exactly that, with 18th man Bear Williams crashing over one-out from the ruck and Bentley-Hape converting from in front to seal a hard-fought 22-20 victory for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Talking points

• Both fullbacks shined as Clayton Faulolo and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape dominate the highlight reel with tries and long-ranged breakaways.
• Young halfback Ashton Ward directed traffic for South Sydney with an impressive game-managing performance off the boot in his club debut.
• South Sydney fought until the final minutes to win their first game of the season with seven club debutants in their line-up.
• Veteran Michael Chee Kam returned to Manly’s NSW Cup side after a decade, putting in a strong 80-minute hit out.

Key moment

The nail-biting contest saw four lead changes in the second half alone, with the final one being Bear Williams’ game-winning try. Williams was named as South Sydney’s replacement player for the evening and was activated early in the second half as a high shot from Jake Arthur on Nazareth Taua saw the 19-year-old’s evening finish early. A penalty awarded to the Rabbitohs late in the game allowed them to advance upfield, and Williams charged onto a short ball from the dummy half, finding both the stripe and the winning play for his side.

What’s next?

Both teams will be on the road in Round Two, with Manly travelling to Auckland to take on the Warriors and South Sydney headed to WIN Stadium as they clash with the Dragons.

Sydney Roosters v North Sydney Bears 

Roosters edge Bears in hard-fought NSW Cup clash

Match summary

By Anthony Eltarraf

The Sydney Roosters have begun their campaign in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup with a gritty 12-10 victory over the North Sydney Bears at Wentworth Park, holding off a late comeback attempt from last year’s grand finalists.

The Bears, eager to build on their 2024 campaign, started strongly and created multiple scoring opportunities in the first half. However, their execution left much to be desired, with only a single try to show for their efforts.

Matt Komolafe capitalised on a fortuitous bounce from a Jesse Marschke bomb to give the visitors a narrow 4-0 lead at halftime.

The second half saw a similar pattern of missed opportunities until the Roosters finally broke through in the 55th minute. A clever offload from Ben Johnson found winger Tom Rodwell, who showed impressive footwork to beat his opposite number before linking with halfback Hugo Savala for the equaliser.

Momentum swung in the Roosters' favour shortly after, as they again exploited the left edge. This time Rodwell backed himself, skipping on the outside of his marker to dive over in the corner. Savala added the extras, pushing the hosts out to a six-point lead (10-4).

A penalty goal extended the Roosters’ advantage to eight, but the Bears refused to go quietly. A well-executed short kick-off saw them regain possession, leading to Ben Talty powering over for a crucial try. Matt Stimson’s conversion reduced the deficit to just two points, setting up a tense finish.

Despite late pressure from the Bears, the Roosters’ defence held firm, securing a confidence-boosting 12-10 victory to start their season on a winning note.

Talking points

• The Roosters' defence held strong for most of the game, withstanding significant pressure in both halves to deny the Bears on numerous occasions.
• Tom Rodwell proved to be the difference-maker, setting up the first try and scoring the second - both times displaying great footwork to get on the outside of his opposing winger.

Key moment

The penalty goal ultimately proved the decisive factor, but it was Tom Rodwell's brilliant footwork following a left-side shift and his dive into the corner that gave the Roosters their first lead of the afternoon—an effort that proved crucial in securing the victory.

What's next?

The Roosters travel to Penrith next weekend to face the Panthers who will be looking to bounce back from their first-round loss, while the Bears seek their first victory of the season in a tough matchup against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground.