Newtown’s narrow loss to Parramatta puts the Jets finals prospects in a precarious position

The Newtown Jets 2025 NSW Cup season is at a decisive crossroads, following the Jets narrow 30-28 loss to Parramatta at the Kellyville Park rugby league complex on Saturday.

The Jets have a bye in round 25 of the NSW Cup next weekend (23rd/24th August), and then take on Manly-Warringah in the final competition round on Sunday, 31st August. In all probability Newtown will have to win that away game against the Sea Eagles to retain fifth place on the competition table.

Following last weekend’s results, Penrith has moved into fourth place on the competition table with Newtown now precariously holding onto fifth place, one point ahead of the Sydney Roosters and three points ahead of the Canberra Raiders.

The Jets have had to cope with considerable disruption to the selection of their team line-ups in recent weeks, and the lead-in to last Saturday’s match was no exception. Mawene Hiroti (centre), Hohepa Puru (lock), Tuku Hau Tapuha (front-rower) and hooker and captain Jayden Berrell were all required for NRL duty with the Cronulla Sharks; fullback Taj Ford had a leg injury, and second-rower Dylan Coutts was unavailable through illness.

The replacement players were forwards Felix Faatili, Sam McCulloch, Kobie Wilson, Lajuan Vito and Joe Nadenic (the latter two were both making their NSW Cup debuts with Newtown). The big middle forward Brad Fearnley returned to the Jets line-up after serving a one-week suspension.

Parramatta opened the scoring in the eighth minute when their big centre broke through tackles after the Jets had conceded a penalty further upfield that enabled the Eels to move into Newtown territory.

The game’s first quarter was an even contest with both teams moving up and down the field, and with minimal prolonged attack in either team’s twenty-metre zone.

Parramatta increased their lead with a barge-over try in the 25th minute, which along with a conversion gave the Eels a 10-0 lead.

The Parramatta team was decidedly in control at this stage of the first half and they added a third try through applied speed and acceleration in their backline. Another conversion had Parra in front by 16-0 and Newtown was in real danger of being shut out of the contest.

The Jets regrouped and mounted a prolonged attack at Parra’s end of the field, resulting in a well-constructed try for the in-form Newtown centre Michael Gabrael. Niwhai Puru’s conversion had Newtown trailing by 16-6.

The Eels nearly struck back just before halftime with a kick into the Newtown in-goal that just evaded a Parra chaser.

Newtown began the second half in determined style and were assisted by a penalty that took play deep into Parra territory. First class ball-work between Khaled Rajab, Kyle Pickering and Niwhai Puru sent the powerfully-built young front-rower Sam McCulloch barnstorming through to score near the posts. Niwhai Puru’s conversion had the Jets back in business, trailing by 16-12.

Just three minutes later the former Newcastle Knight Riley Jones, playing at hooker in the second half after having been at fullback in the first forty minutes, stepped through some tackles and kicked ahead for the Jets centre Eli Clark to seize the bouncing ball and score. Puru’s conversion had Newtown leading by 18-16 after 47 minutes of play.

Parra regained the lead by 20-18 after an extended presence inside Newtown’s twenty-metre zone. This clearly was a game that was going to be fought down to the wire, with both teams deploying attacking movements and looking dangerous with the ball.

Riley Jones kicked in behind the Parra defensive line again for Kyle Pickering to gather in the ball and make good metres. Niwhai Puru and Chris Vea’ila combined cleverly to send Michael Gabrael in for his second try. Puru’s conversion from wide out had Newtown back in the lead by 24-20.

A rather sensational refereeing decision saw the young Newtown forward Lajuan Vito, on debut for the Jets in the NSW Cup, sin-binned in the 66th minute for an alleged professional foul. The Eels scored almost immediately following the sin-binning ruling to draw level at 24-all.

Still more sensation followed when after a strong set from the Jets at Parramatta’s end, a superb pass from Khaled Rajab sent front-rower Felix Faatili rampaging towards the tryline, only to have the ball stripped from his grasp by the wily Parramatta halfback, just at the very split second when big Felix was about to ground the ball for a try.

In an example of the rapidly contrasting fortunes of war in this match, Parramatta advanced the football back to Newtown’s end and scored in the corner in the 77th minute. This try was converted by Parra to retake the lead by 30-24.

Newtown regained the ball from the kick-off and staged a frantic attack in the last minute. A brilliant long cut-out pass from dummy-half by Riley Jones sent Sam Stonestreet over in the corner. Niwhai Puru’s hardest kick of the day went slightly wide and Parramatta had won a thrilling match by 30-28.

This had been an enthralling contest and should these teams meet again in the finals series it will be a rematch worth seeing. The lead had changed hands four times in the second half, and although Parra had scored six tries to five overall, Newtown had scored more tries and had outscored the Eels by 22-14 in the second half. A draw would probably have guaranteed Newtown a place in the finals.

It had been a very brave and determined effort by the Newtown Jets who had undergone several late changes to their team’s line-up.
Niwhai Puru and Khaled Rajab had been very active with the football, while Riley Jones deserves credit for his playing ingenuity in creating three tries. Michael Gabrael had always been there when the opportunities presented themselves.

Kyle Pickering had topped the tackle count and backed up tirelessly. Max Bradbury, Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa, Felix Faatili, Brad Fearnley, Sam McCulloch and Jordin Leiu had all stood up and taken on the big Parramatta pack in a fierce battle that had raged for the entire match.

The Newtown Jets next game is on Sunday, 31st August (Round 26 of the NSW Cup) at 4 Pines Park (Brookvale Oval) at the earlier starting time of 1.45pm. The outcome of this game will determine whether the Jets will be playing in the 2025 NSW Cup finals.

Newtown’s match details on Saturday, 16th August were:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
24th Round
Saturday, 16th August 2025
Kellyville Park
Parramatta (3rd place) v Newtown (4th place)
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.
This match is to be livestreamed on BarTV NSWRL
Curtain-Raiser: Jersey Flegg Cup: Parramatta v Cronulla Sharks at 1.00pm.
Weather: 17 degrees, sunny, medium breeze.
Playing surface: Very good.

Match Officials Appointments:
Referee: Daniel Luttringer
Touch Judges: Tom Cambourn and Patrick Mackey.

The teams on the 16th August were:

Newtown’s team:
Fullback: Riley Jones
Winger: Kristian Dixon, Sam Stonestreet
Centres: Chris Vea’ila, Michael Gabrael
Halves: Khaled Rajab, Niwhai Puru (Captain)
Lock: Brad Fearnley
Second-Rowers: Jordin Leiu, Kyle Pickering
Front-Rowers: Max Bradbury, Felix Faatili
Hooker: Kobie Wilson

Interchange:
Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa, Sam McCulloch
Eli Clark, Lajuan Vito

18th Man: Joe Nadenic

Blue Shirt Trainer: Tom Haberecht
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Fletcher Graham
Orange Shirt Trainer: Chris Moubarak
Game Day Doctor: Dr Peadar MacSuibhne

Coach: George Ndaira.

Parramatta’s team:

Fullback: Te Hurinui Twidle
Wingers: Jake Tago, Haze Dunster
Centres: Araz Nanva, Richard Penisini
Halves: Lorenzo Talataina, Ronald Volkman
Lock: Dan Keir (Captain)
Second-Rowers: Tyrese Lokeni, Jordan Samrani
Front-Rowers: Wiremu Greig, Toni Mataele
Hooker: Joey Lussick
Interchange:
Meni Luke, Brock Parker
Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, Ieti Samuelu
18th Man: Domenico De Stradis
Blue Shirt Trainer: Ray Daher
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Mike Williams
Orange Shirt Trainer: Ben Trevor Jones
Game Day Doctor: Bachar Hajyounes
Coach: Nathan Cayless.

The Match Result on the 16th August was:

Parramatta 30:
Araz Nanva 2, Wiremu Greig,

Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, Richard Penisini,

Jake Tago tries;

Te Hurinui Twidle 2,

Ronald Volkman conversions

defeated
Newtown 28:
Michael Gabrael 2, Sam McCulloch,

Eli Clark, Sam Stonestreet tries;
Niwhai Puru 4 conversions.

Half-Time: Parramatta led 16-6.

Video Material:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup || Round 24 Highlights || Parramatta v Newtown || Saturday, 16th August 2025:
https://www.facebook.com/KnockOnEffectCup/videos/1306079114428393

Post-match comments from coach George Ndaira after yesterday’s Parramatta v Newtown NSW Cup fixture:
https://www.facebook.com/newtownrlfc/videos/1455179155727731

The NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition table after 24 rounds
https://www.nswrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=113&round=24&season=2025

Match Timeline: –

First Half:

Newtown kicked off to the southern end of the ground.

8th minute: Parramatta try.

Not converted. Parramatta 4-0.
24th minute: Parramatta try.
Try converted. Parramatta 10-0.29th minute: Parramatta try.Try converted. Parramatta 16-0.

34th minute: Michael Gabrael try.

Converted by Niwhai Puru. Parramatta 16-6.

Half-Time: Parramatta led 16-6.

Second Half:
Parramatta kicked off to the southern end.
44th minute: Sam McCulloch try.

Converted by Niwhai Puru. Parramatta led 16-12.

47th minute: Eli Clark try.

Converted by Niwhai Puru. Newtown led 18-16.

54th minute: Parramatta try.

Not converted. Parramatta 20-18.

61st minute: Michael Gabrael try.

Converted by Niwhai Puru. Newtown 24-18.

65th minute: Lajuan Vito professional foul – sin bin.

66th minute: Parramatta try.

Try not converted. 24-all.

75th minute: Lajuan Vito back on the field.

76th minute: Parramatta try.

Try converted. Parramatta 30-24.

80th minute: Sam Stonestreet try.

Try not converted. Parramatta 30-28.

Full-Time: Parramatta 30 defeated Newtown 28.

Match Statistics: –
Newtown players statistics:
Most tackles: Kyle Pickering: 30 tackles

Most metres run: Sam McCulloch: 134 metres

Most line breaks: Michael Gabrael: 2 line breaks

Team Statistics:
(Parramatta: P; Newtown: N)

Possession: P 51%, N 49%
Time in possession: P 22m30s, N 21m30s

Completions: P 74% (26/35), N 87% (29/33)
All runs made: P 152, N 159

Total metres run: P 472, N 423

Line Breaks: P 6, N 5

Tackle breaks: P 40, N 24

Kick return metres: P 177, N 64

Offloads: P 4, N 6

Receipts: P 342, N 343

Total passes: P 189, N 187
Dummy passes: P 31, N 5
Kicks: P 17, N 16

Kicking metres: P 411, N 421

Forced Drop Outs: P 2, N 0

Kick defusal: P 67%, N 57%

Bombs: P 6, N 3

Grubbers: P 3, N 3

Effective tackles: P 89%, N 85%

Tackles made: p 274, N 274
Missed tackles: P 24, N 40

Intercepts: P 0, N 1

Errors: P 13, N 9

Penalties conceded: P 5, N 4
Ruck infringements: P 1, N 1

Inside 10 metres: P 2, N 1

Sin Bins: P 0, N 1

Interchanges: P 5, N 6

Head Injury Assessment: P 1, N 0.

Newtown’s commitments over the next two weeks:

Newtown has a bye in Round 25 of the NSW Cup (23rd/24th August 2025)

Newtown’s next game details are:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Round 26
Sunday, 31st August 2025
4 Pines Park (Brookvale Oval)
Manly-Warringah v Newtown

Kick-Off: 1.45pm

This match will be livestreamed on BarTV NSWRL

There is a Jersey Flegg Cup curtain-raiser between Manly-Warringah and the Cronulla Sharks at 12 noon.