Nawaqanitawase scores twice as Sydney Roosters claim NRL Grand Final title

Sydney Roosters have won the Australian National Rugby League Premiership, defeating Newcastle Knights 19-18 in the Grand Final at Stadium Australia in front of 80,814 spectators.

The standout performer was winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, who scored a try in each half. It was his final NRL appearance, as the 26-year-old is moving on to play rugby union and could represent Australia at next year's Rugby World Cup. He previously spent four years with Super Rugby side the Waratahs before switching codes to join the Roosters in 2024 on a two-year contract.

Newcastle Knights had been chasing their first title since 2001 and a chance to become the first club since 1934 to win the Premiership after finishing bottom the previous season. Despite finishing three places below the Roosters in the regular season, the Knights started strongly, with Francis Manuleleua and captain Kalyn Ponga scoring early tries to build a 12-0 lead.

Nawaqanitawase hit back with a clever kick-and-chase try just before half-time. Early in the second half, Roosters centre Billy Smith scored a converted try to level the score at 12-12. A Sam Walker penalty then put the Roosters ahead for the first time, before Nawaqanitawase added his second try to push the lead to 18-12. Daly Cherry-Evans, 37, playing his own farewell NRL match before a move to Super League club Hull FC, then added a drop goal to extend the margin to seven points.

Newcastle fought back in the closing stages, with Greg Marzhew scoring a try four minutes from time to narrow the gap to one point, but the Knights could not complete the comeback. The result gave the Roosters their 16th Premiership title and their first since 2019.