Live: Knights rest Origin star Ponga against lowly Dragons

live NRL live updates: Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons — blog, scores and stats The Newcastle Knights are at home and can provisionally move into the NRL's top four with a win over the last-placed St George Illawarra Dragons. The Knights have elected to rest Queensland Maroons State of Origin star Kalyn Ponga, with Fletcher Hunt named as the Newcastle fullback. Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage. Submit a comment or question Live updates New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Key Event Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 6:10pm What time is kick-off in the NRL tonight? Here is when kick-off in the clash between the Manly Sea Eagles and South Sydney Rabbitohs is in your state or territory: - 8pm AEST: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, PNG - 7:30pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory - 6pm AWST: Western Australia - 10pm NZST: New Zealand, Fiji - 11pm: Tonga, Samoa Key Event Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 6:05pm Newcastle Knights rest Kalyn Ponga Newcastle will be without their fullback and captain, Kalyn Ponga. Ponga was brilliant for the Queensland Maroons in the second State of Origin on Wednesday, and his club have decided to give him the night off. Fletcher Hunt will be the fullback for Newcastle tonight. Newcastle backrower Dylan Lucas is listed to play tonight, despite also playing Origin mid-week. But we will wait for the official team lists at 7pm to confirm if he will suit up this evening. Key Event Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 6:00pm Welcome to the ABC Sport NRL live blog Good evening, Australia. Welcome back to ABC Sport's live digital coverage of the 2026 NRL premiership season. Tonight, round 16 of the premiership begins with just one match: Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons The Knights can end the evening inside the NRL top four, while the Dragons are searching for just their second win in 2026. Be part of the conversation and join the blog throughout the evening by letting us know your thoughts in the comment section. Let's go.