Rampant Manu inspires Roosters to hold off fast-finishing Knights

KEY POINTS

RUNNING ROOSTER: Joey Manu had nearly 30 runs for over 300m. This bloke never disappoints when he slots into fullback for James Tedesco. Tedesco was out with concussion, but should be sweet to return next Thursday for the Storm clash. Expect the old water-cooler debate about why the Roosters should move Manu to the No.1 jersey. If you do, what do you do with King Ted?

BRAVE PONGA: Kalyn Ponga was tough for the Knights. The fullback was obviously troubled by a hip injury midway through the first half, but toughed it out. His charge downfield late in the game put the home side on the attack. Dally M judges will probably give him six points out of habit. Englishman Kai Pearce-Paul had some nice touches for the Knights, setting up a four-pointer for Bradman Best, and denying Lindsay Collins a try.

JENNINGS’ 300th: Michael Jennings celebrated his 300th NRL game with a win. There was a lot of talk leading up to the match whether Jennings should have been allowed play because of his “past conduct”. Rugby league fans boo South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell for no good reason, yet there was silence inside McDonald Jones Stadium the few times Jennings carted up the ball. Go figure.

NEWCASTLE COACH ADAM O’BRIEN: “These fans know their footy. I don’t think I’ve heard a stadium so frustrated – I’ve never heard booing like that at the end of a game. The Kalyn [tackle] at the end [when held down by Junior Pauga] stands out. You’d like to think that’s a professional foul and sin-bin, and we kick the goal. But whinging about this tonight won’t help anyone. It won’t help these guys. There was stuff we needed to do better. Kalyn is sore. It’s a remarkable job what he did for us. He’s tough. Nobody can ever question that kid’s toughness.”

ROOSTERS COACH TRENT ROBINSON: “I thought it was a really good contest. He [Manu] is always going to touch the ball at the start of a set, and the end of the set, and when it’s needed.”

What a belter of a game.

The Roosters have won 22-20.

The Knights had the chance to win after Kalyn Ponga sprinted down field.

But Jayden Brailey picked up the ball on the final play of the set and kicked it straight to Terrell May.

He’d love that one over.

What a shocker.

Newcastle lock Adam Elliott has scored under the sticks with three minutes remaining.

We’re about to have a two-point ball game.

Daniel Tupou spilled a bomb.

Phoenix Crossland did well to sniff out a gap, then kept the ball alive for ‘Herb’ to barge his way over.

Victor Radley has been penalised for collecting Kalyn Ponga in the air. He was also going for the ball, but grabbed the Knights fullback on the way down, and almost got himself into a crusher-tackle position.

Newcastle needed that penalty.

Daniel Tupou has a double. The bloke sure knows how to finish a try.

But the Chooks were lucky given Terrell May’s pass to Victor Radley the previous play was borderline forward. The TV commentators called it flat.

Tupou still had a lot do to finish it off.

That’s now 22-14 with 14 minutes remaining. I think the Roosters are home.

Kai Pearce-Paul set up a Newcastle try before half-time, now he has stopped Lindsay Collins from scoring one.

Love seeing young Brits aim up in the NRL.

Dane Gagai has been denied a try because of an obstruction.

Dylan Lucas was ruled to have taken out Luke Keary. It was the right call.

Gagai took a quick tap a few plays earlier and knocked out Roosters’ backrower Sitili Tupouniua whose night is now over.

Still 16-14 Chookies with just over 20 minutes remaining.

The Roosters have won a captain’s challenge. Lucky I wasn’t in the bunker.

Terrell May tries to pass, spills the ball, Leo Thompson knocks it back, but it ruled to have knocked it on.

If the Chooks score here, expect Knights coach Adam O’Brien to have something to say.

The Roosters are on the attack.

Knights forward Jack Hetherington conceded a penalty for clipping Connor Watson high. The big fella was unlucky.

What can the Chooks do?

Nearly ten minutes into the second half and there is no change to the score.

It’s a pretty even contest.

The crowd are slowly coming into it.