Moment pitch-invading NRL footy fan smashes security guard to the ground at Knights vs Tigers game

While most pitch invaders tend to run away from security guards, a man who jumped onto the field at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night barrelled directly into one before appearing to evade ground officials.

The Knights secured back-to-back wins for the first time this year with a 34-18 victory over the Wests Tigers on the back of a Kalyn Ponga masterclass.

Newcastle fans were delighted with the result, and one man decided to celebrate during the match by jumping the fence and running onto the pitch.

In a now viral video, he can be seen jumping onto the turf and sprinting through the in-goal area as the crowd cheers him on.

The fan can then be seen running directly into a security guard and shoulder-charging him, with the guard coming off second best and landing on his back.

A man ran onto the field at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night barrelled directly into a security guard before escaping into the stands

The fan can then be seen escaping into the stands as the crowd around him cheers.

However, not everybody saw the funny side of the incident, with plenty of footy fans taking to social media to criticise the pitch invader’s actions.

‘The funny part will be when this guy gets charge with assault,’ commented one fan

‘What’d the security do to you,’ said another.

‘Absolute muppet will get a $5500 fine as well as an assault charge now!’ replied a third.

After trailing 18-0, the Tigers did well to close the margin to four points in the second half as rookie fullback Jahream Bula grabbed a try-scoring double.

But Ponga’s ball-playing in the red zone proved the difference between the sides. The fullback had a hand in five of his side’s seven tries to ensure a memorable 100th game for the Knights.

‘There’s a whole heap of variables but none more so than his work and his determination,’ Knights coach Adam O’Brien said of Ponga’s recent form.

Newcastle secured back-to-back wins for the first time this year with a 34-18 victory over the Wests Tigers on Friday night

Kalyn Ponga has guided Newcastle to a win over a spirited Tigers outfit that keeps the Knights’ NRL finals hopes alive

‘The positional change, he’s been put back to his preferred position at fullback. And I think the guys around him are playing well too.’

After winning only three of their first 17 games this season, the Tigers likely need to claim two of their remaining seven matches to hoist themselves from the bottom of the ladder, given their inferior points difference.

Next week’s clash with the Dragons is a must-win and the Dolphins appear the Tigers’ best chance of snaring another victory on the run home.

‘We fought back but we were chasing our tails for the whole game,’ Tigers coach Tim Sheens said of the latest loss.

‘We’re lacking direction, we’re not sticking to the game plan. The coaches are very unhappy about that.’

The Knights could finish the weekend on the cusp of the top eight, pending other results.