NRL 2025 LIVE: Luai’s Tigers lead Knights; Rabbitohs host Dolphins
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Ponga gets out of jail after Luai grubber
The Tigers are on the attack again with Bradman Best penalised for an escort, taking out a Tigers player while protecting Greg Marzhew as he brings down a bomb. Once again the home side has a full set of six inside the opposition 20 metres. Can Luai and Galvin conjure something?
Almost. Jarome Luai rolls in a pinpoint grubber and Kalyn Ponga collects it well inside the in-goal. But the Knights skipper skips and weaves his way past and somehow gets back inside the field of play, and another relieving penalty gives Newcastle the chance to get inside the Tigers’ half for the first time since the break.
Tigers 8, Knights 0 after 50 minutes
Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga.Credit: Getty Images
Tigers get an early chance
Bad luck for the Knights here – a hand in the ruck from the Tigers knocks the ball of out Dane Gagai’s hands, the referee rules a knock-on and a clearly furious Gagai doesn’t like the call but has no captain’s challenges left. It’s a golden opportunity for Wests Tigers to score again.
Some strong defence in the middle stops Royce Hunt, and Newcastle get away with it when Gagai defuses a Lachlan Galvin grubber.
Tigers 8, Knights 0 after 45 minutes
Jack Bird on report for hair pull
We’re back from half-time and Tigers recruit Jack Bird has been put on report for pulling the hair of Phoenix Crossland in the dying moments of the first term. Rugby league is well and truly back.
The Knights kick off and the Tigers have first use of it. Here’s hoping for a slightly more polished second 40 half from both sides.
Tigers 8, Knights 0 after 41 minutes
The eastern grandstand at Campbelltown Sports StadiumCredit: Getty Images
View from the stands: Tigers on track to break round-one drought
By Billie Eder
First-half stats: Knights dangerous but Tigers controlling the contest
Half-time: Tigers 8, Knights 0
More errors, more penalties, plenty of lip from the rival forward packs and this one gets a bit fiery before half-time. The crowd is getting into it too. And there’s the half-time buzzer, with the Wests Tigers holding a well-earned lead against a ragged-looking Newcastle side at Campbelltown.
Tigers 8, Knights 0 at half-time
Another Best blunder
A rare offside penalty against the team in possession – Tallyn Da Silva is pinged for being in front of the play-the-ball then involved in the play for the Tigers – gives Newcastle what could be one final chance inside the hosts’ 10-metre zone this half.
And they botch it again – Ponga puts Bradman Best in space, but instead of running for the tryline Best sends a wayward pass beyond his winger and over the sideline.
Tigers 8, Knights 0 after 38 minutes
Tigers prop Terrell May.Credit: Getty Images
NO TRY – Best denied for double movement
An Alex Seyfarth error puts Newcastle on the attack, Bradman Best scooping up a loose ball and bursting 40 metres upfield. The Knights sweep to the right and then the left, with Best the man to take on the line – and he reaches out to plant the ball down, but not before his elbow touches the turf. It’s a penalty for double movement and Newcastle are still scoreless.
A dodgy play-the-ball – the NRL are cracking down on them this year – gives Newcastle yet another chance within striking distance, but Kai Pearce-Paul spills the ball in a Tallyn Da Silva tackle
Tigers 8, Knights 0 after 33 minutes
Doueihi goal pushes Tigers further ahead
A series of offloads from the Tigers, started by key signing Terrell May, puts them well within attacking territory – and they look like scoring on the last tackle but Jack Cogger gets his hand on the ball, but knocks on in the process.
Wests have a scrum right in front of the posts, Bradman Best is penalised for being offside, and the hosts add to their lead with a straightforward goal to Adam Doueihi.
Tigers 8, Knights 0 after 30 minutes
Knights botch scoring chance as Tigers hold firm
The Knights force a dropout and look almost certain to finally find some points, but a backline shift to the right fizzles out with Dane Gagai spilling a Kalyn Ponga pass. The Tigers’ defence is holding very steady so far, not something that could have been said for Tigers teams in the recent past. Both attacks have been a little clunky though – Ponga is doing a lot of playmaking, and kicking on the last, but has struggled to find the right option so far.
Tigers 6, Knights 0 after 24 minutes
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