McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 19 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters. The game kicks off at 7:55 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs. Sydney Roosters game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday July 22, 2022 at 7:55 pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters Odds
Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters Preview
Newcastle is in an uncomfortable limbo: far enough ahead of the cellar dwellers to not be nervous about the spoon (yet), but well out of the Top 8 picture and in poor form.
The 5-12 Knights slipped to 13th after leaking 40-plus points in consecutive weeks to Souths and Manly, and are only a converted try and a field goal conceded away from having the worst defensive record in the NRL. The gulf in class between Kalyn Ponga and his teammates is a huge concern for the club.
The 8-9 Sydney Roosters remain outside the Top 8 but snapped a four-match losing streak – which was nowhere near as bad as that sounds – with a 54-26 demolition of the Dragons last Saturday. Joey Manu was in mind-blowing touch at five-eighth, while James Tedesco backed up from Origin with a double.
Manu reverts to centre this week with Luke Keary returning from a five-week layoff. Matt Lodge’s recent arrival becomes even more crucial with Siosiua Taukeiaho and Sitili Tupouniua succumbing to injury, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is back from a hamstring complaint.
Brodie Jones and Kurt Mann join the bench for Simi Sasagi and Leo Thompson. In-form Dominic Young is listed in the reserves after picking up an injury last week, with Hymel Hunt named on the flank.
The Knights’ season-opening upset – carving out a stunning 20-6 result at the SCG – was just their third win in their last 17 clashes with the Roosters. But 2022 has completely unravelled for the Novocastrians since that point.
The Tricolours came away from Newcastle with a 38-4 victory last season. This could get ugly for the hosts with the Roosters doing a good job of putting the hurt on also-rans in 2022 and the Knights haemorrhaging points.
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Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Sydney Roosters to win at $1.30 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Joseph Manu at $11.00.
Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters Teams
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Anthony Milford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Mitchell Barnett 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Brodie Jones 18. Leo Thompson 19. Phoenix Crossland 20. Tex Hoy 21. Dominic Young 22. Jake Clifford
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Drew Hutchison 17. Terrell May 18. Lachlan Lam 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Adam Keighran 21. Ben Thomas 22. Kevin Naiqama