RUGBY LEAGUE BETTING PREVIEW - NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS VS SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Rugby League

2025-06-14 - Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters

A Sports Betting Preview by Stu

Newcastle Knights v Sydney Roosters
Rugby League : Australia : NRL Season 2025
Saturday 14th June 2025 - KO 1730 AEST

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Newcastle Knights

The Knights have endured a tough 2025 campaign, winning just 5 of their 13 matches and sitting 15th on the ladder just 2 competition points ahead of the cellar dwellers the Titans and Eels. Their recent form has been patchy, with narrow losses to Gold Coast, and heavy 28-6 defeat to the Eels and St George 20-6.

Despite flashes of attacking promise like the fightback against the Sea Eagles last weekend, Newcastle have struggled to close out tight games and have lacked consistency in both attack and defence.

Newcastle average just 13 points per game while conceding 19, and their low completion rate has been a key issue with way too many errors. Kalyn Ponga’s absence through Origin has left a creative void, and while Tyson Gamble has tried to steer the ship, the spine has lacked cohesion.

The forward pack, led by the ever-reliable Kai Pearce-Paul, will need to dominate early to give the Knights any chance of upsetting the Roosters.

Newcastle Knights Team news – Fletcher Sharpe moves to fullback with Ponga out for Origin duty and Jackson Hastings comes in for his first game of the season in the halves. Mat Croker starts at prop and Matt Arthur comes on to the bench.

Sydney Roosters

The Roosters are building momentum after a slow start to the season. They’ve now won five of their last seven, including a dominant 42-16 win over Cronulla and a 36-26 victory over the Dolphins. This places Sydney 10th on the ladder with a 5-7 record, they’re trending upward and look increasingly dangerous as the team has started to gel.

James Tedesco continues to lead from the back, while Daniel Tupou and Mark Nawaqanitawase have been lethal on the edges – all of these players have merit to select as an anytime try scorer for this match. The halves pairing of Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala is growing in confidence, and the pending return of Sam Walker will make the team even stronger.

Sydney Roosters Team news – Sam Walker comes straight back into the halves, Smith goes to the bench, Dom Young comes in on the wing and Mark Nawaqanitawase moves to the centres with Robert Toia on Origin duty. Naufahu Whyte, Nat Butcher and Egan Butcher joins the starting team, Zach Dockar-Clay comes onto the bench.

Odds

The visiting Roosters will start as slight favourites, $2.90 to $1.42, the line is 7.5 points and combined points 42.5

The Betting Verdict

Newcastle Knights and the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium is shaping up as a crucial mid-season test for both clubs. The Roosters are pushing to solidify their top-eight credentials, while the Knights are desperate to turn around a disappointing season and restore pride at home.

Newcastle’s home record is respectable enough 54% win rate at McDonald Jones Stadium, but they’ll need a near-flawless performance to match the Roosters firepower. The Roosters meanwhile are on quite the run against the Knights winning 17 of their last 20 games. At this venue Sydney are incredible, winning 17-6 which further shows that Newcastle are going to need an absolute blinder to win even with the match at home.

The Roosters average 24 points per game and have scored the first try in nine of their last ten matches. Their ability to start fast and apply scoreboard pressure early has been a key factor in their resurgence. On the opposite side of the fence, Newcastle have been held scoreless in the first half, 3 times in their past 4 matches.

Even with the origin players out, Sydney looks way too strong here, they have a commanding record at the venue and come into the match winning 3 of the past 5, and the 2 losses were by 2 and 4 points against teams ranked one and two.

I would stay away from points betting in this match with the disruptions to the teams via Origin selection making the points start the best betting option here, -7.5 points for Sydney to win by 8 or more is the suggested play this week.

The Pick :

Newcastle Knights 12-28 Sydney Roosters

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take the Sydney Roosters to win and beat the line -7.5 returning $1.91 at Bet365