Nawaqanitawase Double Sinks Fairytale Knights as Roosters Win NRL Grand Final 19-18
Daly Cherry-Evans' field goal proves decisive as Sydney claim a 16th premiership in front of 80,814 fans
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File photo: Mark Nawaqanitawase playing rugby union for Australia against Italy in Florence in November 2022. Photo: Stefano Delfrate, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
SYDNEY — Dual-code winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored two tries as the Sydney Roosters fought back from 12-0 down to beat the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in the National Rugby League grand final on Sunday, ending Newcastle's bid for a fairytale title.
A crowd of 80,814 watched at Accor Stadium as the Roosters claimed their 16th premiership and first since 2019, BBC Sport reported.
From 12-0 down to champions
Newcastle, who finished bottom of the ladder last season, made the stronger start. Francis Manuleleua crossed for the opening try and captain Kalyn Ponga raced 95 metres to score, The Guardian reported.
Nawaqanitawase pulled one back shortly before half-time, dabbing a loose ball forward and pouncing on it as it crossed the line. Centre Billy Smith levelled the scores at 12-12 in the 47th minute, Sam Walker kicked a penalty to put Sydney in front for the first time, and Nawaqanitawase went over in the right corner to make it 18-12.
Daly Cherry-Evans, 37, then slotted a field goal in his final NRL game before joining Super League side Hull FC for the 2027 season, according to the BBC. Greg Marzhew's try with four minutes left made it a one-point game, but the Roosters held on.
Roosters captain James Tedesco won the Clive Churchill Medal, The Guardian said.
A fitting farewell
The grand final was Nawaqanitawase's last game before he moves to play rugby union in Japan. The 26-year-old, who won 11 caps for the Wallabies, could represent Australia at next year's Rugby World Cup, BBC Sport reported.
"Credit to the Knights, they fought for 80 minutes there," Nawaqanitawase said. "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."
Newcastle had been chasing their first title since 2001 and were bidding to become the first club since 1934 to win the premiership after finishing bottom the previous season.
Sources: BBC Sport; The Guardian
