NRL Live Updates: Sharks vs Roosters, Panthers vs Rabbitohs - Blog, Scores, and Stats

St George Illawarra centre Valentine Holmes will miss the remainder of the 2025 NRL season, with the club confirming the Queensland State of Origin star requires surgery on an injured shoulder.

Cronulla and Sydney are part of a multi-team log-jam in the battle for the top eight. Tonight's winner will end round 20 inside the NRL's top eight, while the loser will likely finish the round in 10th position. Later, the Panthers look to consolidate their place in the top eight against the struggling Rabbitohs. Follow the live blog below and tune in to our live radio coverage.

Key Events

13' TRY: Daniel Tupou scores for the Roosters 2 minutes ago
12' Sharks player Briton Nikora off for a HIA 2 minutes ago
10' PENALTY GOAL: Sharks lead 8-0 5 minutes ago
Show all key events

Live: Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters

13' TRY: Daniel Tupou scores for the Roosters
Sydney Roosters left winger Daniel Tupou has scored. Halfback Sam Walker put up a kick to the left corner. Tupou leapt high, beat Sharks winger Sione Katoa in the air, and grounded the footy.

12' Sharks player Briton Nikora off for a HIA
Briton Nikora has come off for a Head Injury Assessment. Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte had to jump in the air to catch a pass, and his raised leg may have caught Nikora in the head.

11' The NRL is cracking down on the play-the-ball again
For the second time so far, referee Todd Smith has called for an incorrect play-the-ball. This time, it is Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake who just rolled the ball between his legs. This call was made several times last night as well.

10' PENALTY GOAL: Sharks lead 8-0
Cronulla Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes kicks a penalty goal. Roosters centre Billy Smith conceded the turnover after referee Todd Smith deemed he did not correctly play the ball. In defence, the Roosters were caught offside, which led to the penalty. The kick was on the 20m line, 10 metres in from the left touchline.

6' TRY: Will Kennedy scores for the Sharks
Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy scores the first try of the night. The Roosters gave away two six-again restarts, and that allowed the Sharks to march down the field. The Roosters' defence relaxed for a moment, and hooker Blayke Brailey was able to get a VERY late offload away. Kennedy got the ball, stepped off his left foot, and darted over the line.

4' Sharks and Roosters trade the ball
The opening four minutes have been mistake-free from both teams. It is a battle in the middle of the field. \"It's a pretty composed start from both sides,\" — Dene Halatau, ABC Sport.

KICK-OFF: Friday's NRL action begins at Shark Park
Referee Tood Smith blows his whistle to begin the opening match of tonight. The Sharks kick the ball, and the Roosters will have the first use of the footy.

Match officials for Sharks vs Roosters
Here is the officiating crew for tonight's match between the Sharks and Roosters.
Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judges: Phil Henderson and Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Milestone match for Addin Fonua-Blake
Cronulla prop forward Addin Fonua-Blake will play his 200th NRL match this evening. AFB is with his third club, after stints with Manly and the New Zealand Warriors. Well done Addin.

Director of PNG's NRL franchise stood down amid corruption allegations
A director within Papua New Guinea's newly formed NRL franchise stands down amid corruption concerns relating to business dealings at a state-owned oil company. Read the full story from the ABC's Papua New Guinea correspondent Marian Faa, by tapping the link below.

Catch up on Thursday's NRL action
North Queensland Cowboys co-captain Reuben Cotter has urged the club's fans to \"stick with us\" after their finals aspirations took a hammer blow on Thursday night. Catch up on all the NRL action from last night, by tapping the link below.

NRL round 20 fixtures
The Brisbane Broncos are the sole team with a bye in round 20. Here are all the matches to look forward to this weekend. ABC Sport will have a live blog, and live call, of every match this NRL season.

Thursday, July 17
Dolphins 43 defeated Cowboys 24

Friday, July 18
Sharks vs Roosters, 6pm, Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Sharks vs Roosters, 6pm, Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Panthers vs Rabbitohs, 8pm, Western Sydney Stadium, Sydney

Saturday, July 19
Raiders vs Eels, 3pm, Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Raiders vs Eels, 3pm, Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Bulldogs vs Dragons, 5:30pm, Stadium Australia, Sydney
Bulldogs vs Dragons, 5:30pm, Stadium Australia, Sydney
Storm vs Sea Eagles, 7:35pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Sunday, July 20
Tigers vs Titans, 2pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Tigers vs Titans, 2pm, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Knights vs Warriors, 4:05pm, Hunter Stadium, Newcastle

TEAM LISTS: Sharks vs Roosters
Cronulla centre Jesse Ramien has been ruled out with hamstring tightness. That has opened the door for 22-year-old Chris Vea'ila (number 19) to make his NRL debut. Billy Burns (number 18) has been brought onto the Cronulla bench, while Daniel Atkinson (number 14) will be the 18th man. The Roosters are as advertised, with Chad Townsend (number 6) set to play his first NRL match since round five.

Valentine Holmes to miss the rest of the season
Bad news for St George Illawarra, and star player Valentine Holmes. The club has confirmed the Queensland State of Origin rep injured his shoulder during last week's loss to the Roosters. Holmes, who was a key component to Queensland's Origin series win, will need surgery to repair his shoulder.

Welcome to the ABC Sport NRL live blog
Hello to you, footy fan. Welcome back to ABC Sport's live digital coverage of the 2025 NRL premiership season. Round 20 of the competition continues tonight with two matches that could be vital to finals aspirations. Cronulla will host Sydney in a battle to end the round in the top eight. Penrith will be out to consolidate their spot on the top eight against South Sydney. Join the conversation and let us know your thoughts on all things footy, in the comment section.