The Newcastle Knights opened their 2026 Knock-On Effect NSW Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, overpowering South Sydney 52-10 at the Cessnock Sportsground at the weekend.
While the final scoreline suggests a one-sided affair, the opening period was far more competitive.
The Knights held just a narrow 12-6 advantage at the break before completely blowing the contest apart after half-time, piling on seven tries to leave the Rabbitohs in their wake.
Newcastle struck first through lock forward Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, who finished off a chaotic passage of play close to the line after several phases had broken down.
Connor Votano added the extras to give the Knights an early 6-0 lead.
South Sydney responded with plenty of resilience throughout the first half.
Despite defending extended periods under heavy pressure, the Rabbitohs eventually found a way through when centre William Afualo crossed out wide.
Bayleigh Bentley-Hape’s conversion levelled the scores at 6–all and briefly shifted the momentum.
Just as it looked like the visitors might head to the sheds with the game square, the Knights struck a crucial blow.
Francis Manuleleua crashed over right on half-time to restore Newcastle’s advantage, giving the home side a 12-6 lead at the interval.
From that point on, it was one-way traffic.
The Knights came out of the break with renewed intent and immediately stretched the margin when Kane Graham crossed early in the second half.
Moments later, Votano produced a classy individual effort to extend the lead further and the game began to open up.
Manuleleua soon had his second try of the afternoon, finishing off another sharp attacking movement as Newcastle’s combinations started to click.
Salesa-Leaumoana followed with his own double soon after, capitalising on strong go-forward and quick ball movement that had the Rabbitohs retreating.
South Sydney managed a late consolation through Te Wehi Waitere.
But, by that stage, the result had long since been decided.
The Knights continued to press, with Jacob Davis darting over from dummy half after spotting a gap in the defensive line, before Wilson De Courcey sealed the dominant victory in the dying moments following a perfectly weighted kick from Salesa-Leaumoana.
Votano capped off an impressive afternoon with the boot, landing all seven conversion attempts to finish with a flawless kicking display.
After a competitive opening 40 minutes, Newcastle’s ability to lift the tempo and execute in the second half ultimately proved the difference, turning a tight contest into a commanding season-opening win.
JERSEY FLEGG
The Newcastle Knights Jersey Flegg side went down 26-14 to the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the curtain-raiser to the NSW Cup clash at the Cessnock Sportsground on Sunday.
A try to Xavier Lynch was the Knights’ only points of the opening half, with the Rabbitohs controlling both field position and possession for large periods.
The visitors held a 16-4 advantage at the main break after capitalising on their territorial dominance.
The Knights came out with renewed energy in the second half and quickly closed the gap.
Tries to Aiden Gow and Sosaia Latu brought Newcastle back to within two points at 16-14 and briefly shifted the momentum the home side’s way.
However, just as the Knights appeared poised to take control of the contest, the Rabbitohs responded with two quick tries of their own to wrestle the momentum back and close out the match 26–14 in a result that will leave Newcastle ruing what might have been.
SG BALL CUP
The Newcastle Knights remain inside the top eight following a hard-fought 26–18 victory over the Central Coast Roosters at Woy Woy on Saturday.
In what was always shaping as a tight contest, the Knights eventually came away with a five tries to four win, with the goal-kicking of Diesel Hagan proving a key factor in the final margin.
Newcastle assistant coach Darren Taylor said the side remains firmly in the development phase of its season.
“We still have a fair way to go with our education to get these young men playing to their capability, but it’s a process and we really are starting from the foundation up,” he explained.
“They (the Roosters) are always tough at home and we’re happy to escape with the two points and now turn our attention to Penrith.”
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP
The second-placed Knights extended their unbeaten run to five matches with an impressive 18-4 victory over the Central Coast Roosters on Saturday.
Newcastle controlled the key metrics throughout the contest, producing a disciplined and composed performance that now sets up a blockbuster clash against competition leaders Penrith at St Marys this weekend.
Riley Rostron was among the Knights’ best, while Benji Thompson also produced a strong performance. In the halves, Ty Ennis partnered Rostron well and played with measured control to guide Newcastle around the park.
WOMEN’S
TARSHA GALE CUP
Brandy Simpson grabbed a double as the Newcastle Knights recorded a convincing 28–8 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Redfern Oval on Saturday.
The Knights looked the more polished side throughout the contest and could easily have pushed the scoreline further, leaving several opportunities unfinished despite controlling large portions of the match.
The win lifts Newcastle into sixth position on the ladder with a 3-2 record, though greater consistency will be required as the finals approach if the Knights are to match it with competition heavyweights Sydney Roosters and Canterbury-Bankstown.
The undefeated Knights continued their strong campaign with a dominant 50-6 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday.
Arliah Morris, Grace Langdon, Sienna Brumby, Jarrah Young, Mia Jones, Emme Porter, Ellazae Elers, Keira Callaghan and Holly Winter all crossed for tries in what proved to be a one-sided contest.
Newcastle looked both the fitter and better organised side from the outset, dominating possession, field position and ruck speed from the opening whistle.
The victory sees the Knights sitting third on the ladder behind Canterbury and Parramatta as the competition begins to move towards the business end of the season.
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