NRL trials LIVE: Newcastle lead at half-time after a double for Dylan Lucas

It’s a length-of-the-field effort from Manly, and the Sea Eagles are back in front.

The tip-on from Luke Keary at the Manly end of the field went to ground, and it’s scooped up by Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega who runs 90 metres with Clayton Faulalo in tow.

Vaega is even too fast for speedster Dominic Young, and he eventually passes to Faulalo who scores. The kick is good, and the Sea Eagles reclaim the lead.

Sea Eagles 12, Roosters 10

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold just spoke on Josh Schuster, here’s what he had to say:

Another nice play from Luke Keary, and Dominic Young gets his first points on the right wing for the Roosters.

Keary passed the ball out to Joseph Suaalii, who shifted a no-look pass out to Young to score.

Tricolours coach Trent Robinson is on the sideline giving some feedback to Suaalii as Sam Walker misses the conversion.

Roosters 10, Sea Eagles 6

Dominic Young scores his first try for the Tricolours in 2024.Credit: Getty

Manly had open space for another try, but a forward pass gives the Roosters the ball.

James Tedesco passes the ball to Victor Radley, who flicks a one arm pass to Luke Keary.

Keary beats Bailey Hodgson and Brandon Wakeham, but is pulled up just short of the line. But Sam Walker steps in at dummy half for the quick play the ball, and there aren’t enough Manly defenders to stop him from planting the ball.

Walker converts his own try and we’re locked early on in Gosford.

Roosters 6, Sea Eagles 6

The Roosters might be close to full-strength, but it’s Manly who are on the board first.

Karl Lawton was help up in the in-goal, and Toafofoa Sipley burrows over the line from dummy-half to get the Sea Eagles first points.

The kick from Brandon Wakeham is good, and Manly lead after 11 minutes.

Sea Eagles 6, Roosters 0

The Sea Eagles celebrate after scoring first against the Roosters.Credit: Getty

KNIGHTS 44, SHARKS 18

Jack Cogger scores for Newcastle.Credit: Getty

KEY POINTS

COGGER MAKES CASE FOR NO.6: Jack Cogger is giving Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien plenty to think about when it comes to the No.6 role. Tyson Gamble was paired with Jackson Hastings last year, but new recruit Cogger looked good when he came on, kicking a 40/20 and scoring a try. Cogger, the man who held his nerve when replacing the injured Jarome Luai in last year’s grand final, will be there round one, it’s just a matter of whether he starts or plays at No.14.

HASTINGS RETURNS: Knights halfback Jackson Hastings played his first game since breaking down in week one of the finals. He had a hand in three tries in the first half and looked fit. He punched out 40 minutes, but looked like he easily could have kept going.

HAZELTON TROUBLES: Tom Hazelton was sin-binned and put on report for a high shot on Mat Croker. While the big fella was off the field, the Knights scored three tries. Now it’s a nervous wait for Cronulla, who need the big bopper for round one given Braden Hamlin-Uele is no certainty to return from a knee injury.

KEY STATS

There’s no rest for footy fans in Gosford, game two between the Roosters and the Sea Eagles is under way.

The Tricolours are fielding a very experienced team today ahead of their Las Vegas clash in early March.

Former Rooster Jaxson Paulo gets us under way with the kick off.

That’s full time for game one in Gosford, and the Knights have walked away with a convincing victory.

Eight tries for the Knights, and a host of playmakers to choose from for game one – Newcastle have plenty of positives to take out of this pre-season challenge match.

Jack Cogger spoke briefly after the match, and said it was tough conditions out there with the heat, but after Newcastle got through those first 20 minutes of defence, the game opened up.

Full time: Knights 44, Sharks 18

Knights celebrate after scoring against the Sharks.Credit: Getty