Arabic version: روسترز يتفوق على نايتس ويتوج بلقب دوري الرغبي الوطني

According to BBC News, Sydney Roosters beat Newcastle Knights 19-18 in the Australian National Rugby League Premiership Grand Final, ending the Knights’ bid for a first title since 2001. The Roosters secured their 16th title and their first since 2019 in front of 80,814 spectators at Stadium Australia.

Dual-code international winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored a try in each half in his final game for the Roosters before moving to play rugby union in Japan. Newcastle led 12-0 after early tries from Francis Manuleleua and captain Kalyn Ponga, but Nawaqanitawase cut the gap with a kick-and-chase score five minutes before half-time.

Roosters centre Billy Smith crossed in the 47th minute and Sam Walker’s conversion levelled the match at 12-12. Walker then kicked a penalty to put Sydney ahead for the first time, before Nawaqanitawase scored in the right corner to make it 18-12. Daly Cherry-Evans added a drop-goal in his last NRL match before joining Super League side Hull FC for the 2027 season.

Greg Marzhew scored with four minutes remaining to bring Newcastle within one point, but the Knights could not complete a comeback. They had sought to become the first club since 1934 to win the Premiership after finishing bottom in the previous season. “Credit to the Knights, they fought for 80 minutes there,” Nawaqanitawase said. “This is going to last me a lifetime.”