Nawaqanitawase scores twice as Roosters edge Knights for NRL title

Sydney Roosters overcame an early 12-point deficit to defeat Newcastle Knights 19-18 in the NRL Grand Final, with Mark Nawaqanitawase scoring two tries before his return to rugby union. BBC Sport reported that 80,814 spectators watched at Stadium Australia as the Roosters secured their 16th premiership and their first since 2019. Newcastle's late response left the outcome in doubt until the closing stages.

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The Knights had been pursuing a first title since 2001 and a rare turnaround after finishing bottom the previous season. Victory would have made them the first club since 1934 to follow a last-place finish with a premiership. Early tries from Francis Manuleleua and captain Kalyn Ponga put Newcastle 12-0 ahead, giving the Roosters a substantial deficit to overcome before they had scored themselves.

Nawaqanitawase began the recovery five minutes before half-time, using a kick and chase to score and reduce the gap. Newcastle still led 12-6 at the interval, but Billy Smith crossed in the 47th minute and the conversion brought Sydney level. Sam Walker then kicked a penalty seven minutes later to give the Roosters their first lead of the final.

A second Nawaqanitawase try, scored in the right corner before the hour, stretched the advantage to 18-12. Daly Cherry-Evans added a drop-goal that ultimately separated the teams. Greg Marzhew scored for Newcastle with four minutes remaining, cutting the margin to a single point, but the Knights could not find another score. Their comeback attempt ended just short despite having put themselves within reach of the title again.

For Nawaqanitawase, the result completed his two-year spell with the Roosters before a move to Japanese rugby union. The 26-year-old previously spent four years with the Waratahs and made 11 appearances for the Wallabies between 2022 and 2023. He switched codes in 2024 and represented Australia's rugby league side in last year's Ashes series. BBC Sport reported that he could feature at next year's rugby union World Cup, rather than describing his participation as confirmed.

Cherry-Evans also finished his NRL career with a decisive contribution. The 37-year-old is moving to Hull FC for the 2027 Super League season, making his drop-goal a winning farewell to the competition. Newcastle, meanwhile, were denied the championship after a campaign that included a semi-final victory over Penrith Panthers despite being reduced to 12 men.