Nawaqanitawase's double fires Roosters past Knights to 16th NRL title

SYDNEY — Dual-code winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored two tries as the Sydney Roosters edged the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in the NRL Grand Final on Sunday, securing the foundation club a 16th title and their first since 2019.

Newcastle, chasing a first premiership since 2001, made a dream start with tries from Francis Manuleleua and captain Kalyn Ponga for a 12-0 lead. Nawaqanitawase, playing his final NRL game before a return to rugby union, cut the deficit just before the break.

Billy Smith’s converted try in the 47th minute locked the scores at 12-12, Sam Walker’s penalty put the Roosters ahead for the first time, and Nawaqanitawase’s second stretched the lead to 18-12 before the hour. A Daly Cherry-Evans field goal made it 19-12; Greg Marzhew’s converted try in the 77th minute set up a grandstand finish but the Roosters held on in front of 80,814 at Stadium Australia.

It is a fourth premiership under long-term coach Trent Robinson. Roosters captain James Tedesco — 14 tackle breaks and 385 metres — was named Clive Churchill Medallist as the final’s best player. Cherry-Evans played his last NRL game before a switch to England’s Super League.

“Credit to the Knights, they fought for 80 minutes there,” Nawaqanitawase said.

Sources: Reuters | NRL.com live blog