The Jets crown their debut appearance at Coogee Oval with a decisive win over the Rabbitohs
Newtown and South Sydney met in Round 17 of the NSW Cup at Coogee Oval last Sunday, in what rugby league historians believe was the debut appearance of a senior Newtown rugby league team at the picturesque oceanside venue.
Here's the trophy up close, named in honour of two of the greatest identities in the storied histories of these two 1908 NSWRL foundation clubs
Jack Rayner (South Sydney) & Frank "Bumper" Farrell (Newtown)
. (Photo: Mario Facchini/mafphotography)
The Jets 42-18 win over the Rabbitohs moved Newtown up into fourth place on the competition table. Newtown had come into this game on the back of an impressive win over Norths, and they were mindful that they were facing up to a South Sydney team that had just run up three wins in a row.
The Blues were under real pressure early in the game with South Sydney gaining two repeat sets within Newtown’s 20 metre zone. The Jets defence stayed solid, and then they scored from their first set at Souths’ end, by way of a high-speed passing rush involving the hooker and team captain Jayden Berrell, Blake Hosking, Taj Ford, Niwhai Puru and finally onto centre Chris Vea’ila who cut through to score.
Just two minutes later, Berrell combined with Michael Gabrael and Taj Ford up the left side, with the ball being turned back inside to the team captain who dived over next to the posts. Puru converted both of these tries and Newtown led by 12-0 after 11 minutes.
The Rabbitohs fought back through their strong forward pack, claiming a crash-over try that wasn’t converted. The big Souths forwards were making ground through the middle, but the Jets backs looked to be faster and more dangerous out wide.
Quick hands across the backline through Puru, Khaled Rajab and Gabrael ended in Eli Clark sprinting in to score unopposed. Newtown had these three opportunities at their opponent’s end of the field and had scored each time. Puru’s conversion from the sideline took Newtown out to an 18-4 lead.
Newtown's speedster left-side winger
Eli Clark
is pictured in full cry during last Sunday's game at Coogee Oval.
(Photo: Mario Facchini/mafphotography)
Five minutes out from halftime the Jets were on the attack again after receiving a six again call, and this time it was Taj Ford scoring from close range, with Puru adding the extras.
The Rabbitohs achieved good field position through repeat six again calls, and when awarded a penalty right on halftime opted to take the penalty goal option, going into the break trailing Newtown by 24-6.
Newtown had made the best of their chances in the first half, scoring four tries from the five times they had been at Souths end. It could be described as a clinical performance by the Jets, especially with the well-executed backline ball play down their left side.
The second half was barely underway when the mercurial Ford scored his second try, as Newtown proved to be lethal again down their left-side attack. Five minutes later Puru pounced on a loose ball and with the frantic defenders closing in, fired a slick flick pass to the quicksilver Gabrael who dashed over to score. Puru’s conversion took Newtown out to a commanding 36-6 lead.
Souths then scored two converted tries in quick succession, bringing to mind the Rabbitohs recent win over Canterbury when they had stormed home to a thrilling second half victory. The visiting Newtown supporters would have been painfully aware of their own team’s losses in recent weeks at Henson Park, when the opposition teams had run down the Jets lead in the second half.
Trailing by 36-18, the Rabbitohs were up for the challenge and were playing with real enthusiasm, putting Newtown under sustained pressure at their own end. The hard-working second-rower Kyle Pickering made a good contribution with a determined run through the midfield, helping his team to get out of a dangerous situation.
Niwhai Puru turned on a masterclass punt kick to an unmarked Kristian Dixon who scored Newtown’s final try, which was undoubtedly the decisive factor that snuffed out any chance of a Rabbitohs fightback.
Puru had laid on a first-class performance and Taj Ford impressed again at fullback. Michael Gabrael had been a menace to the Rabbitohs with his withering speed. The two wingers, Kristian Dixon and Eli Clark, along with Taj Ford, attained a 100% defusal rate in fielding Souths’ barrage of high kicks safely.
As for the forwards, Jayden Berrell and Josh Cook were very effective in the midfield, while Max Bradbury, Brad Fearnley, Jordin Leiu, Kyle Pickering, Blake Hosking and Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa had all been up for the challenge presented by the big South Sydney pack.
Jets forwards
Jayden Berrell
(left) and
Brad Fearnley
show the class of hard defensive work that was needed to keep the Rabbitohs forwards in check. (Photo: Mario Facchini/mafphotography)
Newtown back-rower
Blake Hosking
is pictured in possession, with
Josh Cook
(number 18) coming across in support.
(Photo: Mario Facchini/mafphotography)
Newtown middle forward
Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa
shows some spring in his step as he brings the ball forward against Souths last Sunday.(Photo: Mario Facchini/mafphotography)
The Jets take on North Sydney this Saturday at Henson Park, 5th July, with this Frank Hyde Shield series decider timed to kick off at 3.00pm.
There is also a top four Jersey Flegg Cup curtain-raiser between the Cronulla Sharks and the Melbourne Storm getting underway at 12.50pm.
Match Details:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Round 17
Sunday, 29th June 2025Coogee OvalSouth Sydney v Newtown
Kick-Off: 3.00pmThis match was live-streamed on BarTV NSWRL.
The two NSW Cup clubs were contesting the outcome of the Farrell-Rayner Cup for 2025.
(Curtain-Raiser: South Sydney v Cronulla Sharks, Jersey Flegg, 1.00pm).
Weather: 19 degrees, sunny, light breeze.
Playing Surface: Excellent.
Match Officials:
Referee: Chris Sutton
Touch Judges: Benjamin Teague, Damian Brady
Match Result:
Newtown 42:
Taj Ford 2, Chris Vea’ila, Jayden Berrell,
Eli Clark, Michael Gabrael, Kristian Dixon tries;
Niwhai Puru 7 conversions
defeated
South Sydney 18:
Thomas Fletcher, Leonard Skelton, Daniel O’Donnell tries;
Lewis Dodd 1 conversion, 1 penalty goal,
Jayden Sullivan 1 conversion.
Half-Time: Newtown led 24-6.
A great moment for interchange forward
Kobie Wilson
(number 26), just prior to his taking the field in
his debut appearance
with
Australia's oldest rugby league football club, the Newtown Jets.
(Photo: Mario Facchini/mafphotography)
The Teams:
Newtown:
Fullback: Taj Ford
Wingers: Eli Clark, Kristian Dixon
Centres: Chris Vea’ila, Michael Gabrael
Halves: Khaled Rajab, Niwhai Puru
Lock: Blake Hosking
Second-Rowers: Kyle Pickering, Dylan Coutts
Front-Rowers: Max Bradbury, Jordin Leiu
Hooker: Jayden Berrell (Captain)
Interchange:
Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa, Josh Cook
Brad Fearnley, Kobie Wilson
Concussion Substitute: Sam McCulloch
Blue Shirt Trainer: Tom Haberecht
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Craig Tredinnick
Orange Shirt Trainer: Chris Moubarak
Game Day Doctor: Dr. Peadar MacSuibhne
Coach: George Ndaira.
South Sydney:
Fullback: Ammaron Gudgeon
Wingers: Carson Kaho, Fletcher Myers
Centres: Leonard Skelton, Henry O’Kane
Halves: Lewis Dodd, Jayden Sullivan
Lock: Liam Le Blanc
Second-Rowers: Jacob Host (Captain), Thomas Fletcher
Front-Rowers: Tim Johannssen, Tayson Fakaosi
Hooker: Ryan Gray.
Interchange:
Daniel O’Donnell, Devante Mihinui
Toesami Toevai, Matthew French
Concussion Substitute: Savvier Pitovao
Blue Shirt Trainer: Jason Peterson
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Thomas Watkins
Orange Shirt Trainer: Bernard Chau
Coach: Wayne Collins.
Video Material:
George Ndaira’s post-match comments:
https://www.facebook.com/newtownrlfc/videos/2154132921759912
The NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition table after 17 rounds:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=113&round=17&season=2025
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Highlights || Round 17 || South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newtown Jets || Coogee Oval || Sunday, 29th June 2025:
Once upon a time in Coogee ….
https://www.facebook.com/newtownrlfc/videos/1435211264332885
Match Timeline:
First half.
Newtown kicked off, running to the northern end of Coogee Oval.
6th minute: Chris Vea’ila try.
Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 6-0.
9th minute: Jayden Berrell try.
Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 12-0.
14th minute: Thomas Fletcher try.
Not converted. Newtown 12-4.
29th minute: Eli Clark try.
Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 18-4.
34th minute: Taj Ford try.
Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 24-4.
39th minute: Lewis Dodd penalty goal. Newtown 24-6.
Half-Time: Newtown 24 led South Sydney 6.
Second Half.
South Sydney kicked off, running to the northern end.
41st minute: Taj Ford try.
Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 30-6.
46th minute: Michael Gabrael try.
Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 36-6.
52nd minute: Leonard Skelton try.
Jayden Sullivan conversion. Newtown 36-12.
63rd minute: Daniel O’Donnell try.
Lewis Dodd conversion. Newtown 36-18.
72nd minute: Kristian Dixon try.
Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 42-18.
Full-Time: Newtown 42 defeated South Sydney 18.
Match Statistics:
Newtown players statistics:
Jayden Berrell: Most Tackles: 38
Michael Gabrael: Most Metres Run: 178
Niwhai Puru: Most Line Breaks: 2
Game Statistics:
(Newtown – N; South Sydney – SS).
Possession: N 51%, SS 49%
Time in possession: N 24m30s, SS 23m
Completions: N 81%, SS 72%
Attacking runs: SS 161; N 152
Metres run: N 1411; SS 1395
Post contact metres: SS 537, N 376
Line breaks: N 7, SS 3
Tackle breaks: N 20; SS 13
Kick return metres: SS 176; N 92
Offloads: SS 12, N 2
Total passes: N 218, SS 174
Dummy passes: SS 13; N 5
Kicks: N 20; SS 14
Kicking metres: N 690; SS 297
Kick defusal: N 100%; SS 50%
Bombs: SS 7; N 1
Grubbers: SS 4; N 4
Tackles made: SS 295, N 319
Missed tackles: SS 20, N 13
Intercepts: N 1, SS 0
Errors: SS 11, N 7
Penalties conceded: N 6, SS 2Ruck infringements: N 4, SS 2
Interchanges: N 7, SS 8.
HIA: SS 0, N 1 (Jordin Leiu).
Newtown’s next match details:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Round 18
Saturday, 5th July 2025
Henson Park
Newtown (4th place) v North Sydney (8th place)
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.
This match is the decider of the 2025 Frank Hyde Shield series
The match will be live-streamed on BarTV NSWRL.
Curtain-Raiser Details:
Jersey Flegg Cup
Saturday, 5th July 2025
Henson Park
Cronulla Sharks (3rd) v Melbourne Storm (1st)
Kick-Off: 12.50pm.