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.”
