The Roosters have thumped the Knights 38-0 here at Allianz Stadium, after leading 14-0 at half-time. They looked a different team tonight, now that they are back at full strength.
REPORT: PEARCE RETURNS TO GUIDE ROOSTERS TO WIN
Blake Ferguson had a good night out for the Roosters, being on hand to finish off three of the Roosters’ six tries.
Mitchell Pearce had a strong return from suspension, and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves looked as intimidating as ever off the bench. Skipper Jake Friend led the way for the Roosters, topping the tackle count and coming up with three try assists.
The Knights were disappointing. Missed tackles, ill discipline and largely unimaginative attack cost them dearly. It looks like it will be a long season for them.
Final score
Sydney Roosters 38
Newcastle Knights 0
The Sydney Roosters host the Newcastle Knights at Allianz Stadium in a battle of the cellar dwellers. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Sydney Roosters welcome back big guns Mitchell Pearce (suspension) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ACL injury) this week, and will be hoping this will be the turning point in their season. The minor premiers for the past three years have won just one game in the first eight rounds in 2016, and are sitting last on the ladder.
Newcastle haven’t fared much better, currently in second-last place with one win and a draw to show for their efforts. Coach Nathan Brown has made a couple of changes to the Knights’ starting line-up from the team that faced Manly last week.
The major change was forced by a hamstring injury to five-eighth Jarrod Mullen. Will Pearsall will take his place, while Pat Mata’utia replaces his brother Peter in the centres in the other backline change.
Roosters’ coach Trent Robinson is coming off a $40,000 fine from the NRL, after criticising referee Ben Cummins both in the tunnel and at the press conference after last week’s 20-18 loss to St George Illawarra on Anzac Day.
To accommodate the inclusion of Pearce, Robinson has moved Jackson Hastings from halfback to five-eighth and last week’s number six, Ryan Matterson, drops back to join Waerea-Hargreaves on the interchange bench.
The Roosters forward pack has also been reshuffled, with the versatile Mitchell Aubusson moving out to the centres this week in place of Brendan Elliot. Isaac Liu takes Aubusson’s place in the back row.
Both teams will be desperate for the win. The Knights will need to improve their defence to be competitive. They have the worst defensive record of any team in the NRL this season, conceding an average of 31 points a game. The Roosters will test that defence further this week now that they are back at full strength.
Prediction:
With the inclusions of Pearce and Warea-Hargreaves, the Roosters will be too strong for the Knights.
Join The Roar at 5.30pm AEST for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
jacksyd
Guest
I was being sarcastic.
Wolly
Roar Guru
Beware? That was their second win of the season against the second last team. Definitely some good signs though, I'm particularly happy with their defence and unusually low error rate.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me on tonight’s coverage, hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to leave your comments and make sure you switch over now to the live blog of the Manly/Cowboys clash at Brookvale.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Roar MVP Points 3 – Jake Friend: Led the way for the Roosters, topping the tackle count and coming up with 3 try assists. 2 – Mitchell Pearce: The Roosters looked a different team tonight, with Pearce back controlling their attack. He scored a try and had 1 try assist, and his kicking game was effective. 1 – Jackson Hastings: Looked more comfortable back at five-eighth and with the Roosters back at full strength. Had 1 try assist and his goal kicking radar was spot on with 7/7.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Absolutely, a long season ahead.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Match summary The Roosters have thumped the Knights 38-0 here at Allianz Stadium, after leading 14-0 at half-time. They looked a different team tonight, now that they are back at full strength. Blake Ferguson had a good night out for the Roosters, being on hand to finish off 3 of the Roosters 6 tries. Mitchell Pearce had a strong return from suspension, and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves looked as intimidating as ever off the bench. Skipper Jake Friend led the way for the Roosters, topping the tackle count and coming up with 3 try assists. The Knights were disappointing. Missed tackles, ill discipline and largely unimaginative attack cost them dearly. It looks like it will be a long season for them. Try scorers (Roosters): Blake Ferguson 3, Mitchell Pearce, Isaac Liu, Mitch Aubusson Top metres gained (Roosters): Latrell Mitchell (165), Sam Moa (161), Shaun Kenny Dowall (158) Top tacklers (Roosters): Jake Friend (47), Dylan Napa (39), Boyd Cordner (33) Top metres gained (Newcastle): Nathan Ross (107), Akuila Uate (107) Top tacklers (Newcastle): Tariq Sims (37), Korbin Sims (36), Jack Stockwell (33)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Newcastle really are in all sorts.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Full-time The hooter sounds to put the Knights out of their misery. It's victory for the Roosters. Roosters 38 Newcastle 0
John Coomer
Roar Guru
79’ The Roosters almost over again but called back for a forward pass. Roosters 38 Newcastle 0
John Coomer
Roar Guru
78’ Nice grubber from Jake Friend for Aubusson to score. Hastings converts. 7 out of 7 from him tonight. Roosters 38 Newcastle 0
John Coomer
Roar Guru
77’ Try !! Roosters (Mitch Aubusson) Roosters 36 Newcastle 0 Kick to come.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
76’ Repeat set for the Roosters after Gagai knocks on a Pearce grubber in goal. Roosters 32 Newcastle 0
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Good to see them back at full strength.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
73’ 20 metre tap for the Knights after a Pearce last tackle kick goes dead. Roosters 32 Newcastle 0
John Coomer
Roar Guru
68’ Good run from SKD in the restart set to set the platform for that try. The Roosters are running away with this. The missed tackle count is 36 to Newcastle and just 9 for the Roosters. Ferguson ended up scoring his third try off a Pearce chip kick that the Knights let bounce. Hastings converts. Roosters 32 Newcastle 0
John Coomer
Roar Guru
68' Try!! Blake Ferguson. Roosters 30 Newcastle 0 Kick to come.
Jacksyd
Guest
The Roosters are scintilating. Cowboys, Broncos, Eels, Sharks and Panthers beware.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
66’ Newcastle paid a heavy price for losing the ball early in the set, with Matterson picking up the scraps and putting Ferguson in the clear to race away and score in the corner. Conversion successful by Hastings from the sideline. Roosters 26 Newcastle 0
John Coomer
Roar Guru
65’ Try Roosters!! (Blake Ferguson) Roosters 24 Newcastle 0
John Coomer
Roar Guru
62’ Roosters line defence holds and they clean up a last tackle grubber. They are back in possession, working it out from their own line. Roosters 20 Newcastle 0