Roosters v Knights: Stability for Strange; Vette-Welsh's new role
This could be the match of the round. A clash between two genuine premiership contenders, who both opened their campaigns with convincing wins. The Roosters beat Titans 34-10, while Newcastle were convincing against Cronulla, 18-4.
Sydney's attacking execution was outstanding. Jess Sergis and Jayme Fressard both crossed twice as the Roosters demonstrated why they remain among the competition's most dangerous attacking teams.
Newcastle's victory was built differently. The Knights relied on defensive commitment, patience and field position.
The battle between the Roosters' outside backs and the Knights’ defensive structures could determine the result. If the Knights can limit early Roosters momentum, they have the experience to turn the contest into an arm-wrestle.
This feels like an early finals-calibre encounter.
Match: Roosters v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Roosters
2nd Position
away Team
Knights
5th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Roosters: Last year's minor premiers got their 2026 season off to a flyer with their win over the Titans and have this week named an unchanged line up to take on the Knights. It was a welcome return from an ACL injury for Tarryn Aiken, who will again line up in the halfback role.
Knights: A few changes to the winning line up from Round 1, with Botille Vette-Welsh coming in for her first game of the season at five-eighth for the suspended Georgia Roche. Lucy Spain will make her first appearance at fullback in place of Lilly-Ann White.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban BaxterFullback for Knights is number 1 Lucy Spain
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Brydie ParkerWinger for Knights is number 2 Shanice Parker
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica SergisCentre for Knights is number 3 Sidney Taylor
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Knights is number 4 Tenika Willison
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme FressardWinger for Knights is number 5 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jocelyn KelleherFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Botille Vette-Welsh
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Tarryn AikenHalfback for Knights is number 7 Kirra Dibb
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie ElliottProp for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley NizzaHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Otesa PuleProp for Knights is number 10 Tiana Davison
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Sariah Paki2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Fane Finau
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Jasmin Strange2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Meakes
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Olivia KernickLock for Knights is number 13 Kayla Romaniuk
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Shawden BurtonInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jules Kirkpatrick
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Macie CarlileInterchange for Knights is number 15 Sienna Yeo
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Rima ButlerInterchange for Knights is number 16 Amelia Pasikala
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Keighley SimpsonInterchange for Knights is number 17 Simone Karpani
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Mia WoodReplacement for Knights is number 18 Nakia Davis-Welsh
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Talea TongaReserve for Knights is number 19 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Taneisha GrayReserve for Knights is number 20 Grace Giampino
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Nikiah CampbellReserve for Knights is number 21 Joeli Morris
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Tatum BirdReserve for Knights is number 22 Stella Lewis
Roosters Ins
- Nikiah Campbell
- Talea Tonga
- Taneisha Gray
- Tatum Bird
Knights Ins
- Botille Vette-Welsh
- Grace Giampino
- Joeli Morris
- Lucy Spain
- Nakia Davis-Welsh
- Stella Lewis
Roosters Outs
Knights Ins
- Georgia Roche
- Lilly-Ann White
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won nine from 10 at Allianz Stadium.
- The Knights have never defeated the Roosters outside of Newcastle.
- Roosters winger Brydie Parker has scored four tries in four games against the Knights.
- Knights winger Shaniece Parker has scored three tries in her last three NRLW games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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