NRL 2025 LIVE: Knights strike first as McCarthy and Lucas link-up for points

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Have your say: which team wins?

Newcastle roll up field

Newcastle are winning the field position battle in this match.

The try aside, they’re easily making 60-to-70 metres a set and forcing the Roosters to begin their sets well inside their 20.

The Roosters have had an opportunity for points, but a sloppy error from Benaiah Ioelu handed over the ball.

Knights 6, Roosters 0 after 11 minutes

Lucas and McCarthy link up for points

The Knights are hunting their first back-to-back win of the season, and they’re off to a good start with Kyle McCarthy opening the scoring.

It comes from a Dylan Lucas linebreak after the Knights’ forward slips between Siua Wong and James Tedesco.

Victor Radley makes a great try-saving tackle, but the Knights have the extra number on the outside and McCarthy goes across to score – his first NRL try.

Knights 6, Roosters 0 after five minutes

Kick-off in Newcastle

Play is under way in the Hunter with Daniel Tupou taking the first carry for the Roosters.

Knights 0, Roosters 0 with 80 minutes to go

Still worried about Spencer? Kick it to us then, NSW pair tell Maroons

By Christian Nicolussi

How about some Origin news while we wait for kick-off?

If Queensland are still worried about kicking off to Spencer Leniu and Payne Haas, NSW’s fellow front-rowers Max King and Stefano Utoikamanu are more than happy to run it back at them.

“I’ll be craving it as soon as I get on – I hope they kick to me,” Utoikamanu said. “I’ll probably be swearing, too, if they don’t kick it to me. I’ll be pretty angry.”

Kick it to us: Max King and Stefano UtoikamanuCredit: Sam Mooy

Read the full story here.

Bobby’s view: both teams need the win to stay in touch with top eight

Knights team list: Sharpe out injured

Adam O’Brien has had to shuffle his team around due to an injury to Fletcher Sharpe. Here’s how they line up.

4. Fletcher Hunt, 2. James Schiller, 3. Dane Gagai, 18. Kyle McCarthy, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Jackson Hastings, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Mat Croker, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Brodie Jones, 11. Dylan Lucas, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Phoenix Crossland, 15. Thomas Cant, 16. Jermaine McEwen, 17. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, 21. Brock Greacen

Fletcher Hunt will start at fullback tonight.Credit: Getty Images

Roosters team list: Smith and Savala in the halves

The Roosters had some changes earlier in the week after a broken thumb delayed Sam Walker’s NRL return even further. Here’s what Trent Robinson’s team looks like tonight.

1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Billy Smith, 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 5. Dominic Young, 14. Sandon Smith, 6. Hugo Savala, 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Benaiah Ioelu, 10. Salesi Foketi, 11. Egan Butcher, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Victor Radley, 15. Zach Dockar-Clay, 16. Blake Steep, 19. Makahesi Makatoa, 20. Taylor Losalu

Sandon Smith moves to starting five-eighth with the injury to Sam Walker.Credit: Getty Images

Have your say: which team wins?

Welcome

Good evening footy fans, and welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s match.

It’s the Roosters heading up to the Hunter to take on the Knights, where flyer Dominic Young is set to play his final game for the Tricolours before once again becoming a Knight at full-time.

Billie Eder here to take you through the action, with Robert Dillon on the ground in Newcastle.

Team lists and news to come.