Sydney Roosters Edge Newcastle Knights 19-18 to Win 2026 NRL Grand Final
The Sydney Roosters won their 16th NRL premiership on Sunday, edging the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in a gripping grand final at Stadium Australia in front of 80,814 spectators. Dual-code winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored two tries in what was his final game for the club before returning to rugby union, and the Roosters lifted the trophy for the first time since 2019.
Comeback from 12-0 down
Newcastle, chasing their first title since 2001, stunned the Roosters with tries from Francis Manuleleua and captain Kalyn Ponga to race to a 12-0 lead. Nawaqanitawase cut the deficit with a clever kick-and-chase try five minutes before half-time, and centre Billy Smith powered over in the 47th minute for a converted try that levelled the scores at 12-12.
Sam Walker nudged the Roosters in front with a penalty seven minutes later, before Nawaqanitawase dived over in the right corner for his second try to stretch the lead to 18-12. Daly Cherry-Evans, playing his final NRL game before switching to England's Super League, slotted a field goal to make it 19-12. The Knights refused to yield — Greg Marzhew crossed for a converted try with four minutes left to set up a one-point finish — but the Roosters held on.
Fourth title under Robinson
The win was the fourth premiership under long-serving coach Trent Robinson, after 2013, 2018 and 2019, and moved the Roosters to outright second on the all-time title tally. One of only two clubs remaining from the competition's first season in 1908, the Roosters denied Newcastle a fairytale ending to their Cinderella campaign.
"Credit to the Knights, they fought for 80 minutes there," said Nawaqanitawase. "This is going to last me a lifetime, it's sad to go but I love everyone here, I love all the boys, and let's celebrate this win, far out."
Sources: Reuters
The Sydney Roosters won their 16th NRL premiership on Sunday, edging the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in a gripping grand final at Stadium Australia in front of 80,814 spectators. Dual-code winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored two tries in what was his final game for the club before returning to rugby union, and the Roosters lifted the trophy for the first time since 2019.
Comeback from 12-0 down
Newcastle, chasing their first title since 2001, stunned the Roosters with tries from Francis Manuleleua and captain Kalyn Ponga to race to a 12-0 lead. Nawaqanitawase cut the deficit with a clever kick-and-chase try five minutes before half-time, and centre Billy Smith powered over in the 47th minute for a converted try that levelled the scores at 12-12.
Sam Walker nudged the Roosters in front with a penalty seven minutes later, before Nawaqanitawase dived over in the right corner for his second try to stretch the lead to 18-12. Daly Cherry-Evans, playing his final NRL game before switching to England's Super League, slotted a field goal to make it 19-12. The Knights refused to yield — Greg Marzhew crossed for a converted try with four minutes left to set up a one-point finish — but the Roosters held on.
Fourth title under Robinson
The win was the fourth premiership under long-serving coach Trent Robinson, after 2013, 2018 and 2019, and moved the Roosters to outright second on the all-time title tally. One of only two clubs remaining from the competition's first season in 1908, the Roosters denied Newcastle a fairytale ending to their Cinderella campaign.
"Credit to the Knights, they fought for 80 minutes there," said Nawaqanitawase. "This is going to last me a lifetime, it's sad to go but I love everyone here, I love all the boys, and let's celebrate this win, far out."
Sources: Reuters