Sydney Roosters defeat Newcastle Knights 19-18 to win 2026 NRL Grand Final
The Sydney Roosters overcame an early 12-0 deficit to edge the Newcastle Knights 19-18 at Accor Stadium, clinching their 16th NRL premiership title.
Roosters mount comeback to claim 16th premiership
The Sydney Roosters defeated the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in the National Rugby League Grand Final on Sunday in front of 80,814 spectators at Accor Stadium. Newcastle opened the match with a 12-0 lead through early tries from Francis Manuleleua and captain Kalyn Ponga, both converted by Sandon Smith. Sydney responded five minutes before halftime when dual-code winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored from a kick and chase. In the 47th minute, Roosters centre Billy Smith forced his way over the try line for a converted score that leveled the match at 12-12. Sam Walker subsequently converted two tries and added a 54th-minute penalty goal to put Sydney in front for the first time.
- Francis Manuleleua and Kalyn Ponga score converted tries to give Newcastle a 12-0 lead
- Mark Nawaqanitawase scores Sydney's opening try to reduce the deficit to 12-6
- Billy Smith scores a converted try to level the score at 12-12
- Sam Walker converts a penalty goal to give the Roosters their first lead at 14-12
- Mark Nawaqanitawase crosses in the right corner for his second try, making it 18-12
- Daly Cherry-Evans slots a field goal to extend Sydney's advantage to 19-12
- Greg Marzhew scores a converted try for Newcastle to narrow the score to 19-18
Decisive field goal and late defensive stand
Nawaqanitawase extended Sydney's lead before the hour mark by crossing in the right corner for his second try of the match. In the 70th minute, five-eighth Daly Cherry-Evans slotted a field goal to extend Sydney's advantage to 19-12. Newcastle mounted a late challenge with four minutes remaining when winger Greg Marzhew touched down for a try converted by Smith. The Roosters controlled 57% of possession across the contest and defended their one-point margin through the closing minutes. The win secured the club's 16th premiership title and their fourth under head coach Trent Robinson.
It felt like we had them on the ropes, but they kept coming back. They've got so many great attacking players, the game could have gone either way.
Player departures and Knights finals campaign
The match marked the final rugby league appearance for Nawaqanitawase before his scheduled return to rugby union to play in Japan. The 26-year-old winger previously played four years with Super Rugby's Waratahs before spending two seasons with the Roosters. Cherry-Evans also concluded his NRL career ahead of a planned transfer to the Super League in England. Newcastle reached the decider from seventh position on the ladder after finishing in last place with the wooden spoon in the previous season. Their finals run included consecutive elimination victories over the South Sydney Rabbitohs, New Zealand Warriors, and Penrith Panthers.
Credit to the Knights, they fought for 80 minutes there. 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.
Post-match reactions and club milestones
Ponga expressed his disappointment after the 80-minute contest, reflecting on the team's progression from the previous season. The match concluded a week that included a vehicle incident in Wallsend on Saturday, in which 10 people cheering the team's departure were injured. Earlier on Sunday, the Sydney Roosters women's team completed an undefeated 13-match season by defeating the Brisbane Broncos 30-6 in the NRLW decider. The men's squad held on to seal the double victory for the club, ending Newcastle's pursuit of a first title since 2001.
Wooden spoon last year, if you had have said we were playing in the grand final, I would have said you were kidding. This coaching staff, the players, they work so hard to get us in this position. Our fans are so loyal and they deserved a win tonight, but we just weren't good enough.
