NRL.com Wrap | Knights pipped by Sharks in Friday night thriller

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Full-time: It was ugly, but the Roosters did enough in the end to hold on against a gallant Storm to secure a 14-6 victory. The Roosters should have had a bigger lead in the first half, given they had the Storm on the back foot for the majority, but were forced to battle to the end, with Daniel Tupou doing what he does best and scoring a match-sealing try. 

75th min: After being off their game in the second half, the Roosters have finally converted one of their chances with the ball, with Daniel Tupou scoring on the left wing in game 301. The home side had absorbed the pressure from Melbourne and forced an error to give them attacking impetus. Sam Walker slots his first goal of the night for a 14-6 lead. 

71st min: The Storm's captain's challenge on Josh King losing the ball in the play-the-ball is unsuccessful, with Connor Watson deemed not to have interrupted his attempt. Score remains 8-6.

58th min: The Storm are finally on the board with the defence opening up in front of the posts to let Stefano Utoikamanu stroll through, with the Roosters defence too caught up with what Harry Grant was doing at dummy half. Nick Meaney converts from in front and the Storm are still in this game, trailing 8-6. 

50th min: No change to the score of 8-0, with both sides making errors at inopportune times. The Storm are defending gamely, but the Roosters just can't find the polish to finish off their changes. 

Half-time: The Storm have done well to keep the Roosters to a relatively slender 8-0 lead, with Sam Walker unable to convert their two tries. He also tried to slot a field goal in the final four seconds of the match off a scrum, but that missed as well. Coming into the match without their international halves Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, Storm were dealt a further injury blow midway through the half, with Warriors-bound winger Will Warbrick helped from the field with an Achilles injury. 

38th min: Further disruption for the Storm, with Alec MacDonald off for a HIA.

29th min: Injury alert - Storm winger Will Warbrick is visibly upset as he is helped from the side of the field by a medicab. He was seen clutching at his lower left leg in what's been reported as a ruptured Achilles tendon.  

26th min: The Roosters go further ahead with Billy Smith going over on the left side after DCE nails a 40/20 - his 43rd of his career - to give the Roosters the ball in attacking position. Sam Walker's attempt swings wide again so the score remains 8-0 to the Roosters. 

20th min:  No change to the score, with both sides making errors but also showing signs of good play. Jack Howarth has enjoyed a high moment, taking a one-on-one strip on Naufahu Whyte. Score remains 4-0 to the Roosters. 

6th min: The Roosters are the first on the board after a well-executed play. Daly Cherry-Evans kicks for Mark Nawaqanitawase, who bats it down into the waiting arms of Siua Wong to touch the ball down. Sam Walker's conversion attempt from the right sideline is waved away. Score remains 4-0. 

Kick off: Storm kick off and Roosters have first use of the ball. 

Match preview

Late Mail

Roosters: The Roosters are 1-19 with no late changes. Skipper James Tedesco remains in the HIA protocols after his Origin Three head knock so Cody Ramsey again wears the No.1. Halfback Sam Walker and hooker Reece Robson return after a post-Origin rest so Connor Watson moves to the bench and Hugo Savala is listed in the centres with Rob Toia to be rested following a heavy schedule. "Rob has had a big campaign and at his age it is good to get some recovery out of him," coach Trent Robinson said on Thursday. Prop Lindsay Collins (concussion) remains sidelined, with a decision to be made early next week on whether he faces the Knights in Round 21. 

Storm: Winger Moses Leo is a late withdrawal due to illness, replaced by Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown in jersey No.19. Davvy Moale has been added to the six-man bench. Tyran Wishart and Trent Toelau team up in the halves for the first time with superstars Cameron Munster (knee cartilage) and Jahrome Hughes (hamstring soreness) both sidelined. Maroons gun Harry Grant is back in the starting line-up while former Dolphin Oryn Keeley will also start in his second game with the Storm, taking over from Joe Chan (back strain). The Storm have won eight of their last nine games against the Roosters.

Numbers Game

• The Roosters have won six from seven at Allianz Stadium this season.
• The Storm have won eight of their last nine games against the Roosters.
• Roosters right winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored 10 tries in his last eight games at Allianz Stadium.
• Storm winger Will Warbrick has scored seven tries in his last five games.
• Roosters left winger Daniel Tupou has scored six tries in his last six games against the Storm.

Sharks v Knights at Ocean Protect Stadium

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Sharks

Knights 

Full-time: A late rally from the Knights can't bring down the Sharks, with the boot of Nicho Hynes making all the difference in the end in the 20-18 victory. The Knights scored more tries with four, but Kalyn Ponga was only about to convert one of them, while Hynes kicked three from three, plus a penalty goal. 

79th min: The Knights weren't denied a second time however, pouncing on a kick that proved too hard to handle for the Sharks. Greg Marzhew has his second after Bradman Best soccered the loose ball ahead, with the winger sliding over. Ponga converts his first try of the night and the scores narrow to 20-18 in favour of the home side. 

71st min: The Knights are denied what would have been an impressive try to Francis Manuleleua, after he sprinted away to get the ball down over the try line after Dane Gagai brought down a kick uncontested and flung it in field to his support. Unfortunately for the youngster however, he knocked the ball on thanks to the attention of the defenders, with the Bunker denying him his first four-pointer. Scores remain 20-12 to the Sharks. 

67th min: Another successful challenge for the Knights.

62nd min: They have been on the back foot for most of this second half, but some joy for the Knight with a successful captain's challenge on a knock on call. 

49th min: While both sides were guilty of a messy start to the half, it's the Sharks that are able to get back on track first, opening the second half scoring with a nice looping pass by Trindall out to Ronaldo Mulitalo finding his man who runs in next to the left touchline untouched. Hynes has brought his kicking boots again and slots the conversion to push Cronulla out to a 20-12 lead. 

41st min: The Knights get off to the worst possible start, giving up a penalty in the first set. 

Half-time: The Sharks head to the sheds up 14-12, with goal kicking from Nicho Hynes the difference so far. Knights have score three tries, but Ponga has been unable to convert any. However, Hynes has aced his two attempts, plus a penalty goal for the lead. 

39th min: And there we go again - the latest team to score a try is the Knights, thanks to a good run from Dylan Lucas straight through and to the line. Newcastle got their opportunity after some smart play from Ponga, who made up for some earlier errors, by guiding a Brayton Trindall kick out on the full. However, he can't convert - his third miss of the night - and the Sharks are ahead 14-12. 

36th min: The Sharks push out their lead - not by a try, as no side has gone back-to-back as yet - but via a penalty goal. Hynes slots the relatively easy conversion for a 14-8 lead. 

27th min: It seems no team is wanting to build presser and after a knock on at the back by Ponga, the Sharks get a scrum and get to work scoring another try. Sione Katoa proves too hard to bring down and runs through to add to his side's tally. Hynes converts again for a 12-8 lead. 

22nd min - Injury alert: Addin Fonua-Blake comes from the field and straight up the tunnel. 

20th min: This game is proving to be a seesawing one so far, with the Knights edging back in front with Greg Marzhew charging over for the third try of the match. Off the back of an error from the Sharks where they gave the Knights the ball back, Newcastle didn't take long to go on the attack, before eventually getting the ball out to their powerful winger to score out to the left. Ponga again can't convert and it's 8-6 to the Knights. 

15th min: The Sharks don't take long to respond however, with fullback Will Kennedy over for their first of the night. A high kick from Braydon Trindall proves too hard for the Knights to handle, with Ronaldo Mulitalo able to back it back for his team to feast on the scraps. Nicho Hynes - who broke a Sharks scoring record last week against the Dolphins - slots the conversion. Sharks now lead 6-4. 

9th min: Newcastle skipper Kalyn Ponga gets the scoring started, with the visitors capitalising on some healthy possession following a procession of Sharks errors. The fullback scores a relatively easy try, getting on the outside of two defenders to score out to the right. He misses the conversion and the score is 4-0 to Newcastle. 

Kick off: Sharks kick off and give the visiting Knights the first use of the ball.

Match preview

Late Mail

Sharks: Centre Jesse Ramien has been ruled out on game day after coming down with an illness. His place is taken by Mawene Hiroti, while Sam Stonestreet joins the six-man bench. The loss of Ramien came on top of Siosifa Talakai dropping out on Thursday with an elbow injury, which brought Jayden Berrell onto the bench. Briton Nikora is back on a deck after a post-Origin rest and Addin Fonua-Blake returns to the stating side after coming off the bench against the Dolphins. Billy Burns and Oregon Kaufusi slide to the bench. 

Knights: The Knights are 1-19 with no late changes. Winger Greg Marzhew will play despite suffering a corked glute and coming off early against Souths. Back-rower Jermaine McEwen (hamstring) and prop Cody Hopwood (calf) will miss the game. Blues centre Bradman Best returns so Fletcher Sharpe is back at five-eighth and Sandon Smith goes to the bench. Brodie Jones is the new face on the bench as he chases his first appearance of 2026. 

Numbers Game

• The Sharks have won six of their last seven games against the Knights.
• The Knights have not won at Ocean Protect Stadium since 2014.
• Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo requires one try for 50 tries at Ocean Protect Stadium.
• Knights lock Mat Croker will make his 100th NRL appearance.
• Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has won seven from seven against the Knights.