Sydney Roosters have been crowned the 2026 NRL Premiership winners after a 19-18 Grand Final victory over Newcastle Knights.
Despite trailing 12-6 at half-time, the Roosters kept Newcastle scoreless for the entire second half, in what was an incredible display led by full-back James Tedesco and Hull FC-bound Daly Cherry-Evans.
Tedesco, who could well be Australia’s full-back at this year’s Rugby League World Cup, racked up close to 400 run metres in what was a sublime showing. Cherry-Evans, meanwhile, added the game-changing drop goal that put enough scoreboard pressure to down Justin Holbrook’s Knights.
It was the Chooks who had the first opportinity, with England hopeful Billy Smith looking certain to score. However, he was tackled by a potential World Cup teammate in Dom Young, who made one of many try-saving tackles on the night.
After 15 minutes, the deadlock was broken when Newcastle back-rower Francis Manuleleua broke the line to score under the posts. Sandon Smith slotted the conversion over to give Newcastle a 6-0 lead.
The underdogs would then double their lead through Kalyn Ponga, who picked up a loose ball on his own line and raced the length of the field to score one of the best Grand Final tries in the competition’s history.
The Roosters would get a score before half-time, with superstar winger Mark Nawaqanitawase putting on another piece of brilliance to kick through a loose ball for himself to halve the deficit heading into the sheds.
After the break, centre Smith would eventually get his try, powering through the Newcastle edge defence despite the best efforts of Jamaine McEwan. Nawaqanitawase would then get a second on 60 minutes – a stroke of luck helped Sydney after the ball deflected off the post padding. That allowed Tedesco, who would end up winning the Clive Churchill medal for Player of the Match, to then spread the ball to the edge for the dual-code star to score.
With the scores 18-12 in the Roosters’ favour, it was Cherry-Evans who slotted over the one-pointer to make it a two-score lead with 10 minutes to go. Ultimately, that would be the game-winning moment as Newcastle managed to get over through Greg Marzhew on the left edge. Smith nailed the conversion, but they couldn’t add any more points with such little time left.
Cherry-Evans broke NRL records with the win, becoming the oldest player to win a Grand Final and being the player to have the longest time between a first and second Premierships, having won the comp with Manly back in 2011.
The Roosters will face Wakefield Trinity in the 2027 World Club Challenge, should that game go ahead. Trinity owner Matt Ellis has expressed his desire to hold the game at either Belle Vue or Oakwell, home of Barnsley FC.
Wakefield Trinity are 2026 Super League Champions! – Click here to watch the Serious About Rugby League Grand Final Review Show
