SCG will play host to Saturday's Round 1 NRL game between Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Sydney Roosters vs. Newcastle Knights game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday March 12, 2022 at 3:00 pm

Where: SCG

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights Odds

Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights Preview

Sydney Roosters emerged from the injury-ravaged ordeal of 2021 with their heads held high, winning 16 games to finish fifth. Despite the retirement of Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend and Brett and Josh Morris (who only made 28 appearances between them last year), Trent Robinson’s perennial contenders look in tremendous shape.

Luke Keary returns to partner Sam Walker in the halves for the first time, while Lindsay Collins is back in a mouth-watering forward pack. Ex-Knights utility Connor Watson starts in the No.9 with Sam Verrills suspended and Billy Smith is named at centre with Joseph Suaalii injured.

Despite back-to-back seventh-place finishes, it’s shaping as a make-or-break campaign for coach Adam O’Brien and Newcastle. Adam Clune fills the halfback crater left by Mitchell Pearce and Dane Gagai’s return to the club should pay dividends, but a long-term injury to super-reliable hooker and captain Jayden Brailey has compounded Watson’s exit.

Kurt Mann has been picked as a lightweight lock and Chris Randall is the hooker in an otherwise solid pack reputation-wise that needs to lift on its 2021 performances. Kalyn Ponga is their obvious go-to player, but getting him into the game most effectively looms as a challenge for an unfamiliar spine combination – particularly if their underwhelming trial showings are an indication.

The Roosters have won 14 of their last 16 against the Knights, including the last four encounters by margins of 20-plus points. Meanwhile, the Novocastrians haven’t toppled the Tricolours in Sydney since 2009.

A smoky for the spoon, the Knights are the biggest outsiders of Round 1 – and for myriad good reasons. The James Tedesco-led Chooks should coast to victory at the SCG.

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