McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 6 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Newcastle Knights 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: Thursday April 11, 2024 at 7:50 pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters Odds
Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters Preview
Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters meet on Thursday night at an intriguing juncture, both 2-3 and eager to stay in touch with the leading pack.
The Knights have won two of their last three, bookending a tough away loss to the Warriors with home wins over the Storm and Dragons.
Kalyn Ponga was superb in the Newcastle downpour as they put the Saints to the sword 30-10.
The Roosters followed up a disappointing performance against under-strength Penrith in Round 4 with a 30-26 defeat to Canterbury inexplicably falling behind 18-0 early before staging a remarkable fightback despite the first-half send-off of Dom Young and late sin-binning of Victor Radley.
Amid the carnage, James Tedesco and Sam Walker failed HIAs and have been ruled out this week. Joey Manu shifts to fullback, Connor Watson comes into the halves, Michael Jennings starts as centre and Junior Pauga comes onto the wing for the suspended Young.
Nat Butcher is also back and Zach Dockar-Clay joins the bench, with Egan Butcher dropping out of the 17.
The Knights have won just three of their last 19 against the Roosters, going down at home in sole clashes in 2022 (42-18) and 2023 (18-16).
Daniel Tupou boasts 11 tries in his last 13 games against Newcastle including eight from his last seven.
The Knights are $1.53 favourites at home, where they have won eight of their last nine, but they’ve been largely unconvincing so far in 2024, while the Roosters insane depth covers more than adequately for their absentees.
This shapes as a tight one if Luke Keary and Brandon Smith step up for the visitors.
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Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters Tip
We're tipping Newcastle Knights to win at $1.53 odds.
Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters Teams
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Brodie Jones 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Will Pryce 22. Greg Marzhew
Roosters team: 1. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 5. Fetalaiga Pauga 6. Connor Watson 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May 18. Egan Butcher 19. Lewis Murphy 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Hugo Savala 22. Siua Wong