The Sydney Roosters faced heavy criticism after suffering a staggering 48-10 defeat against the Newcastle Knights during their pre-season trial match at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford on February 23, 2025. This loss not only highlights the Roosters' defensive frailties but also raises concerns about the potential suspension of prop Spencer Leniu, who found himself caught up in controversy during the game.
From the off, the Knights demonstrated why they should not be underestimated this season. Under the influential leadership of captain Kalyn Ponga, the Knights wasted no time establishing dominance, scoring early and often against the Roosters’ defense. They cruised to an impressive eight-try performance, which came as quite the shock considering the expectation of the Roosters entering the match.
Fletcher Sharpe, who has been making waves since stepping up to five-eighth, was particularly impressive, scoring two tries and showcasing his speed and agility. His first was a sensational 70-meter run where he capitalized on a loose ball, leaving the Roosters' defense scrambling to match his pace. Sharpe's second try came as the Knights continued to capitalize on errors, effectively taking control of the game.
All this unfolded under the watchful eyes of Knights fans who were eager to see their team not just compete, but demolish the opposition. "It was a pretty complete performance," Ponga said after the match, acknowledging both the scoreline and the cohesive effort displayed by his teammates.
On the opposing side, the Roosters struggled with their defense throughout the game, continuously falling victim to the Knights' tactical prowess. Coach Trent Robinson, fielding what was expected to be his strongest lineup, was left to grapple with his team's apparent inability to close gaps and tackle effectively. They were misreading plays, leading to multiple scoring opportunities for the Knights.
One incident, pivotal to the Roosters’ woes, was the sin-binning of Spencer Leniu, who received the yellow card for making high contact with Knights player Phoenix Crossland. This incident unfolded early and caused immediate disruption as Leniu's absence on the field left the Roosters’ forward pack vulnerable. Although he seemed shocked by the call and had to undergo a head injury assessment, Leniu’s reckless tackle could have larger repercussions, as he now faces scrutiny from the match review committee which may lead to suspension for the opening rounds of the regular season.
After the early drama of Leniu's exit, the Knights quickly capitalized on the Roosters' disarray, with Jacob Saifiti crossing the try line just moments later, cementing the Knights' lead. Saifiti's opening try set the tone for what would be a one-sided affair. The Knights scored six tries just within the first half, leading to both excitement and concern among the Roosters supporters.
Despite Daniel Tupou managing to score one of the Roosters' only tries, it did little to stem the tide of momentum the Knights had built. With the Knights' defense easily shutting down Roosters’ attempts to break through, it became abundantly clear who the superior team was on the day.
By halftime, the Knights were leading 36-4. Their second-half performance reflected their commitment to dominating the match as they added additional points to their tally. Knocking down another try through Tom Cant within minutes of the restart, the Knights proclaimed their title as the team to beat this coming season.
The Roosters’ late consolation try by Sandon Smith, which came after the Newcastle Knights had relaxed their defense slightly, felt hollow as the match ended with the Knights firmly secured at 48-10.
With less than two weeks until the start of the NRL season, the Roosters must now analyze not just their game strategy but also whether they can recover key players such as Leniu from suspension. They are set to face the Brisbane Broncos, who will undoubtedly be licking their lips at the prospect of facing such disarrayed competition.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien, on the other hand, will aim to build upon this victory. Confidence is high following such a strong performance, but O'Brien will be cautious not to allow his team to get too carried away, recognizing the inherent challenges of the long NRL season, since they themselves have had their share of disruption with injuries leading to some key players missing this trial.
With the regular season kicking off on March 7 against the Wests Tigers, both teams have plenty to work on. For the Knights, the objective is clear: build upon this momentum and carry it forth as they aim to stake their claim early on. For the Roosters, the burning question remains—can they recover and learn from these alarming signs to turn their season around before it even starts?