Under the radar Roosters eye moment in the spotlight
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The Sydney Roosters have launched a bid for the NRL minor premiership as they look to assert their title credentials in the charge to the finals.
Last week's win over the Storm helped the third-placed Roosters pull within two points of the competition-leading Panthers as they quietly mount a push for the J.J. Giltinan Shield.
It may feel strange given the talent present in Bondi, but the club has managed to sneak under the radar this season. Instead, the attention of many fans has been on the Penrith juggernaut, the rise of the Wahs and even the high-flying Dolphins.
Sam Walker Try
All the while, the Roosters have quietly chipped away, navigating the Origin period without too many hiccups as star halves Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans develop their partnership and fullback James Tedesco continues a remarkable run of form.
With the finals now just seven weeks away, the Roosters are ready to step into the spotlight, starting with Friday's showdown against the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.
"It does feel like we've gone under the radar," said prop Naufahu Whyte. "For a team like the Roosters we don't get that recognition. With the club we have, our rich history and the footy we can produce, people expect us to be where we are.
"If any other team is in the top four, they get so much praise and spoken about a lot but that's how it is at this club and we don't really look at it. We know if we get our job done, the ladder takes care of itself. We're here training, putting in the work and letting the results take over."
Match: Knights v Roosters
Round 21 -
home Team
Knights
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
3rd Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Friday's match has major finals implications for both sides. The Roosters can keep the pressure on the Panthers and Warriors with a win as they continue their pursuit of the minor premiership.
Newcastle have lost their past two games by two points and are desperate to return to form and arrest a slide down the ladder. The Knights currently sit sixth and a victory will provide some breathing room ahead of a deep chasing pack.
The Roosters' rise to third comes after an uneven start to the year before Walker and Cherry-Evans found their groove.
Hooker Reece Robson has acted as a dynamic link between the forwards and backs and starred in his first season at the club.
While there have been a few hiccups along the way, the Roosters have steadily managed to keep building towards the finals.
Reece Robson Try
Robinson has managed his players in the wake of the Origin period, with Tedesco and centre Rob Toia on track to return on Friday after missing last week's win over Melbourne. Queensland prop Lindsay Collins is also in the mix for a potential comeback from a concussion at McDonald Jones Stadium.
"A lot of players have done a great job filling in when we've needed them to when boys are out through that period," Robson said.
"Someone like Naufahu has been doing it all year, it's exciting to see Cody [Ramsey] and those boys. Hugo [Savala] has been in our side every week but the last few weeks he's changed positions more than he has all year and done a great job wherever he's been.
"We were lucky enough to come away with a couple of wins over the post-Origin period with a couple of boys out and getting their rest. It's exciting that we were able to have that rest and get into some footy now with everyone fit and firing."
The Roosters are on high alert heading into Friday's clash as they look to shut down Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga.
The Knights have built their attack around the Queensland No.1 and he has helped lift them back into finals contention after a challenging 2025 campaign.
While Whyte's immediate focus is on shutting down the fullback, the prop also has one eye on what's to come in a few months.
Naufahu Whyte Try
Ponga's decision to represent New Zealand at this year's World Cup has opened the door for the pair to team up for the Kiwis during the tournament.
It's a prospect Whyte is eager to embrace as New Zealand look to upset the Kangaroos in their own backyard.
"That would be crazy," Whyte said. "I've always watched Kalyn from afar but haven't got to play with him.
"If that opportunity arises for me in the future, it would be something I look forward to. It would be great to build that bond and connection and play some good footy together.
"That's still down the track, I want to win a premiership so winning a ring for this team is my first priority."
