Newtown Jets staunch defence gets them home in gritty thriller against the Rabbitohs.

Match Report:

Last Saturday’s match at Henson Park was a clash of the fourth-placed South Sydney versus the fifth-placed Newtown, with the outcome being of great importance to both clubs’ finals hopes.

Newtown won a fiercely-contested, edge-of-your-seat contest by 14-8 in a match that had all the tension of an elimination semi-final, with just four NSW Cup competition rounds remaining.

The Newtown Jets players, staff and young supporters at Henson Park on Saturday, 1st August 2026.

Both the Jets (now in 4th place) and the Rabbitohs (now 5th) are on 28 competition points, separated only by Newtown’s more favourable points for and against differential. Close behind on the NSW Cup premiership table are the NZ Warriors (28), Bulldogs (27), Magpies (26), Roosters (26) and Raiders (25), making this year’s competition one of the most closely-fought for several seasons. 

Unfavourable weather forecasts might have kept some of the potential crowd away, but there were enough people at Henson Park to generate sufficient atmosphere worthy of such a critical showdown between two of the NSW Rugby League’s 1908 Foundation Clubs.

Mawene Hiroti looks to break through the South’s defence

Saturday’s game was also the decider of the contest for the custodianship of the Frank “Bumper” Farrell-Jack Rayner Cup for 2026.

Newtown made a great start with tries to centre Mawene Hiroti and front-rower Braden Uele in the first fifteen minutes, but with neither try being converted the score remained at 8-0 in the Jets favour.

Braden Uele makes the South’s 6 uncomfortable

South Sydney had their chances in the remainder of the first half and they launched several attacks at Newtown’s end of the field, while the Jets turned on a rock-solid defensive display when it was most needed. Newtown’s on-line defence remained resolute and the Jets took their 8-0 lead into the half-time break.

The Rabbitohs had the advantage in territory and possession for much of the second half and secured a converted try, followed by a penalty goal to tie the scores up at 8-all with just on fifteen minutes remaining.

Niwhai Puru was in top-class form last Saturday

The struggle between these rugby league close neighbours looked like it might be heading into field-goal attempt territory, but the Jets rugged, can-do centre Mawene Hiroti took advantage of a mishandled high kick and planted the ball down to score his second try. Jets halfback Niwhai Puru converted to extend the lead to 14-8 with seven minutes left to play.

The on-field tension generated by this game was obvious with two vigorous melees ensuing in the game’s final minutes, with a Rabbitohs player being dispatched to the sin-bin in the last minute of play.

Chris Vea'ila takes advantage of some open space

Jets hooker Riley Pollard was the stand-out player, securing two awards for his work-rate, clever dummy-half ball-play and stout midfield defence. He claimed the Built Smart Solutions player of the match accolade and also the BarTV live viewers poll which registered strongly in favour of Riley.

Jets hooker Riley Pollard was the stand-out player

Other Jets forwards who worked hard on the day and had big tackle counts were Jaxon Lavender, Harrison Hassett, Blake Hosking, Brad Fearnley and the hard-running Felix Faatili. Fullback and captain Liam Ison had another great game, with Kristian Dixon, Mawene Hiroti, Michael Gabrael and Taj Ford also turning in strong performances.

An old time melee between the Jets and the Rabbits

Newtown’s march to a finals place continues this Sunday, with another must-win encounter against the in-form St George-Illawarra Dragons, who defeated the finals contenders Sydney Roosters last weekend in round 22. 

The Jets-Dragons 23rd round match is set down for Sunday, 9th August at the Collegians Sporting Complex in Figtree, with this match having an early kick-off at 12 noon.

This all-important fixture will be livestreamed on BarTV NSWRL.

Match Details:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup

Round 22

Newtown v South Sydney

Henson Park

Saturday, 1st August 2026

Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

Match Result:

Newtown 14:
Mawene Hiroti 2, Braden Uele tries;

Niwhai Puru 1 conversion

defeated

South Sydney 8:
Moala Graham-Taufa try;

Jonah Glover 1 conversion, 1 penalty goal.

Half-Time: Newtown led 8-0.

Newtown’s team was:
Fullback: Liam Ison (Captain)

Wingers: Chris Vea’ila, Kristian Dixon

Centres: Mawene Hiroti, Michael Gabrael

Halves: Taj Ford, Niwhai Puru

Lock: Sam McCulloch

Second-Rowers: Jaxon Lavender, Harrison Hassett

Front-Rowers: Braden Uele, Tuku Hau Tapuha

Hooker: Riley Pollard

Interchange:
Brad Fearnley, Felix Faatili
Kobie Wilson, Blake Hosking

Reserve: Joe Nadenic

Coach: George Ndaira

Team Staff:
Tom Haberecht, Brett Kaplan

Chris Moubarak, Dr Daryl Wong.

South Sydney’s team:
Fullback: Bayleigh Bentley-Hape

Wingers: Edward Kosi, Jordi Mazzone
Centres: Isaiah Tass, Moala Graham-Taufa

Halves: Jonah Glover, Matthew Humphries

Lock: Dan Keir (Captain)
Second-Rowers: Benjamin Williamson, Lajuan Vito

Front-Rowers: Salesi Ataata, Tim Johannssen

Hooker: Peter Mamouzelos

Interchange:
Elijah Keung, Siotame Hanson

Alan Holten, Max McCarthy

Reserve: Te Wehi Waitere

Coach: Wayne Collins

Team Staff:

Tom Watkins, Cooper O’Donnell

Bernard Chau.

Liam Ison displays the Frank “Bumper” Farrell-Jack Rayner Cup and Riley Pollard displays a Newtown Jets jersey. (Saturday, 1st August 2026 - John Trad).

Match Timeline: -

First Half:
Newtown kicked off, running to the northern end of the ground.

7th minute: Mawene Hiroti try.

Not converted. Newtown 4-0.

13th minute: Braden Uele try.

Not converted. Newtown 8-0.

Half-Time: Newtown 8 led South Sydney 0.

Second Half:
South Sydney kicked off, running to the northern end.

54th minute: Moala Graham-Taufa try.

Converted by Jonah Glover. Newtown 8-6.

65th minute: Jonah Glover penalty goal. 8-all.

72nd minute: Mawene Hiroti try.

Converted by Niwhai Puru. Newtown led 14-8.

79th minute: Isaiah Tass (South Sydney) sin-binned.

Full-Time: Newtown 14 defeated South Sydney 8.

Newtown Jets supporters with the upgraded Henson Park scoreboard in the background. (Saturday, 1st August 2026)

Match Statistics: -

Newtown (N); South Sydney (SS)

Player Statistics:
Most tackles: Jaxon Lavender (N) 46

Most run metres: Mawene Hiroti (N) 169

Team Statistics:
Possession: N 46%; SS 54%

Time in possession: N 23.19; SS 27.19

Completion rate: N 68%; SS 72%

All runs: N 149; SS 174

All run metres: N 1463; SS 1518

Post-contact metres: N 546; SS 617

Line breaks: N 4, SS 0

Tackle breaks: N 42; SS 25

Average set distance: N 38.5; SS 34.52

Kick return metres: N 148; SS 94

Average PTB speed: N 3.6; SS 3.5

Offloads: N 6; SS 11

Receipts: N 353; SS 413

Total passes: N 192; SS 217

Dummy passes: N 17; SS 15

Kicks: N 16; SS 21

Kicking metres: N 439; SS 531
Forced drop outs: N 1; SS 2

Kick defusal: N 64%; SS 100%

Bombs: N 4; SS 5

Grubbers: N 2; SS 6

Effective tackles: N 89.95%; SS 85.06%

Tackles made: N 367; SS 296

Missed tackles: N 25; SS 42

Ineffective tackles: N 16; SS 10

Errors: N 17; SS 13

Penalties conceded: N 7, SS 5

Ruck infringements: N 0; SS 2

Inside 10 metres: N 3; SS 1

Sin Bins: N 0; SS 1

Interchanges: N 5; SS 6

HIA: N 1; SS 0.

Newtown’s next game details:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup

Round 23

Sunday, 9th August 2026

Collegians Sporting Complex, Figtree

St George-Illawarra v Newtown

Kick-Off: 12 noon.

This match will decide the winner of the Tom Kirk Cup for 2026.

The match will be livestreamed on BarTV NSWRL