The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup will continue its proud tradition of unearthing the latest NRL talent when the NSWRL Major Competitions officially kick off tomorrow (Thursday 7 March).
Since The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup returned to the NSWRL calendar after the 2020 competition was abandoned due to the COVID pandemic, 142 players have graduated to play NRL in the past three seasons.
“The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup is the state’s premier competition for men and has been a wonderful breeding ground for players who are looking to pursue professional Rugby League careers,” NSWRL Head of Competitions Yvette Downey said.
“The competition last year provided many highlights, including our Grand Final Day at CommBank Stadium when foundation clubs South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Sydney Bears turned on a thrilling decider in front of more than 10,000 fans.
“I am confident the competition this year will be just as exciting, and I look forward to watching the next crop of players progress to higher honours.”
In 2021 when the competition lasted for only 15 rounds before being abandoned again due to COVID, 52 players from The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup progressed to play NRL that season, 46 in 2022, and 44 in 2023.
Players who have taken the next step to become household names for their clubs include Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker and centre Joseph Suaalii (2021), Manly Warringah Sea Eagles centre Toluatau Koula and Penrith Panthers winger Sunia Turuva (2022), and Wests Tigers Jahream Bula and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs back-rower Jacob Preston (2023).
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup continues to prosper with naming rights sponsor, Transport for NSW, announcing last month they would extend their partnership until the end of 2026. The NSWRL and Transport for NSW have been working together since 2017.
The opening round of the season will kick-off tomorrow night (Thursday 7 March) with Newcastle Knights hosting Canberra Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium, with other games including Premiers South Sydney Rabbitohs taking on Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park on Saturday 9 March and Grand Finalists North Sydney Bears facing St George Illawarra Dragons at Collegians on Sunday 10 March.
Three games from The Knock-On Effect NSW will be live streamed on NSWRL TV every week, which now has a dedicated app that can be downloaded from the Apple App store and Google Play store. NSWRL TV users will also be able to access replays and round highlights.
This weekend will also feature the start of the Jersey Flegg Cup (Under 21s), with Fiji’s Kaiviti Silktails and the Warriors joining the competition in 2024 to expand the number of teams from 12 to 14.
The opening round includes last year’s Preliminary Finalists Parramatta Eels hosting 2023 Premiers Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at New Era Stadium; while 2022 Premiers Penrith Panthers will take on last year’s Grand Finalists Sydney Roosters at St Mary Leagues Stadium.
The Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup, a NSWRL second-tier, semi-professional competition for senior men; and the competition below that, Sydney Shield, will start the following weekend (16-17 March).
NSWRL TV will showcase all Jersey Flegg Cup matches in Australia and New Zealand featuring the Silktails, one game per week from the Ron Massey Cup, and the finals series of all competitions including the Sydney Shield.
