AllRugby  

4 hrs

The Cowboys and Knights excelled in the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge, showcasing key players like Duffy and Ponga.

The final day of the 2025 Witzer Pre-Season Challenge showcased thrilling matches, with the North Queensland Cowboys defeating the Melbourne Storm 36-24 at Casey Fields. Rookie halfback Tom Duffy emerged as a standout performer, leading the Cowboys to victory and solidifying his position for the upcoming NRL season. Despite missing key players like Ryan Papenhuyzen and Angus Hinchey, the Storm fought hard but could not match the Cowboys` intensity.

In another highlight, the Newcastle Knights dominated the Sydney Roosters with a resounding 48-10 win at Industree Group Stadium. Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best were instrumental in the Knights` success, with Fletcher Sharpe scoring twice and contributing to multiple tries. The Roosters struggled after an early sin-binning of Spencer Leniu, failing to recover from the Knights` explosive start.

Additionally, Kieran Foran of the Gold Coast Titans faced a potential setback with a biceps injury during a trial match against the Dolphins. Despite this, the Titans showcased a promising new spine, including Keano Kini, AJ Brimson, and Jayden Campbell, alongside the return of captain Tino Fa`asuamaleaui from an ACL injury.

For more insights, check out the pre-season challenge and the Knights vs Roosters match updates.

#NRL2025,#Cowboys,#Knights,#Duffy,#Ponga