Live stream: Tarsha Gale Cup semi-final, Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels

Newcastle hit back with late tries to edge out Parramatta and secure passage to next weekend’s Tarsha Gale Cup decider. Relive all the action from our LIVE STREAM.

The Knights are through to their third Tarsha Gale Cup grand final after a gutsy victory against the Eels under the Netstrata Jubilee Oval lights.

Newcastle were without gun half Jesse Southwell, but it didn’t matter with centre Mia Middleton scoring the first try of the evening in the second minute.

Parramatta fought back with tries through no.4 Petesa Lio and back rower Tahleisha Maeva to lead 8-6 at half time.

The Knights celebrate an impressive comeback win over the Eels.

The Eels extended their lead midway through the second half when captain and powerhouse prop forward Ruby-Jean Kennard crashed over.

The Novocastrians rallied in the final stages as their pack started to get the upper hand. They scored back-to-back tries through hooker Sophie Clancy and Middleton.

The Eels couldn’t find a way to retake the lead in the last few minutes with the Knights holding on for a memorable 16-14 win.

The @NRLKnights are into the Tarsha Gale grand final after beating the Eels 16-14.

“When the game was in the balance the girls went up a gear and Parramatta couldn’t go with us.” 🗣 Knights coach Andrew Johnson

Knights v Roosters in the big one. pic.twitter.com/FzBM0v6c1r

— Dylan Arvela (@dylanarvela) April 23, 2022

Newcastle’s semi-final triumph came on the back of a two-point win against St George and their coach, Andrew Johnson, lauded his side’s courageous efforts.

“It’s two weeks in a row now,” he said.

“To come from behind and win there last week, we had the lead and surrendered it and today we had to come from behind against a quality Parramatta outfit.

“I am really proud of the girls, they dug deep when the game was in the balance and they went up a gear and Parramatta couldn’t go with us.”

The Knights will face the Roosters Indigenous Academy in the decider at Parramatta’s Commbank Stadium after the Tricolours shook off a slow start to down the West Tigers 22-8.

Parramatta skipped away before the Knights fought back.

A dejected Parramatta team at the end of the game.

GAME PREVIEW

- Kelsey Hogan

It is do or die for the Newcastle Knights girls, as they prepare to take on Parramatta in week two of the Tarsha Gale Cup finals.

The Knights, who knocked off the reigning-premier Dragons by two points in a thrilling first round of finals last Friday, will look to Tarsha Gale Cup veteran Matilda Jones for inspiration when they clash with the Eels under the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium lights in match exclusively live-streamed by News Corp from 5pm.

“Last year we made it to the week before the grand final as well and I remember the older girls really stepping up and leading the team in finals. Hopefully, I can carry that on and be a good encouragement for the girls,” Jones said. “The nerves haven’t kicked in quite yet but they will on Saturday.

The Knights were impressive against the Dragons.

Matilda Jones will lead from the front. Picture: Bryden Sharp

“Finals footy is just so different, the standard of footy steps up so much. You can’t go into a game thinking you are going to win it because you have to play for the whole 60 minutes and it’s definitely a lot tougher.”

The star halfback has built a strong combination with No.6 Jesse Southwell and they’ll look to link up and create ample opportunities for Newcastle on Saturday.

“Jesse and I have worked well together this year. She’s a really talented player and it’s been great to learn off how she plays and just play alongside such a strong player,” Jones said.

“Our fullback, Kyah Watters, and Sophie Clancy, our hooker, have also been really strong this year but every player from one to 18, everyone offers something different and I think that’s why we’ve got so far.

“We also played against the NRLW girls on Wednesday, so that was really beneficial for game day, we ran through some of our moves and just being able to verse a team of such a high standard was a good opportunity.”

After beating the Dragons 32-10 in Round 8, the Knights were hot favourites heading into last week’s final but Newcastle head of pathways Garth Brennan said the Under-19 girls got a could taste of the magic of finals footy.

Eels player Ruby-Jean Kennard is a player to watch.

“The girls had a bit of a scare on the weekend. I think they went in there last week thinking they’d just go through the motions, but semi-finals are very different games,” Brennan said.

“So, they’ll have had a bit of a wakeup call and should be ready to go this weekend.

“The one time we were supposed to play Parramatta, it was a washout round and we didn’t play, so we haven’t had a chance to cross paths with them yet. But they obviously finished second for a reason and are a quality team, so our girls are going to have to be on their game this weekend, that’s for sure.”

Originally published as Live stream: Tarsha Gale Cup semi-final, Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels