NRL grand final 2026: Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights – live | NRL
Key occasions
27 minutes: The Sydney tsunami continues to pour over the Newcastle defence. So a lot possession, so little penetration. They get to the final once more, 10m out. Can they lastly discover a goal? YES THEY CAN! Walker jabs a wedge to the fitting nook for Nawaqanitawase to reveal his spring heels. Not solely does he time his leap to perfection, he marks, contorts his physique, and one way or the other places the ball down below immense stress from the cruise missile previously often called Kalyn Ponga.
Hang on. The TMO is getting concerned. Knock-on! There was separation between fingertip and ball due to Ponga’s flying deal with. So so so shut. How have Sydney not scored but!?
26 minutes: Newcastle usually are not serving to themselves. They go too tight popping out of defence and Marzhew runs out of house on the left and there’s a gentle turnover close to midway. Sydney come again at warp velocity. Surely the dam breaks quickly. Or Victor Radley’s nostril!? Bosh! Falling from a legs deal with the unfastened ahead is collected by Ponga’s shoulder! Is that greater than a penalty? No, only a report.
24 minutes: Another Newcastle set goes nowhere. Sydney get a full set from shut on midway. Tedesco is aware of that is the second to strike as fatigue units in to the Knights defence. But but once more, on the final, the bomb is knocked on within the air by a Rooster! This is unbelievable. How have Easts not capitalised but?
22 minutes: The Knights make a meal popping out of defence with Sharpe lacking his goal and Best having to backtrack. Sharpe makes amends – and the way! He belts the kick on the final totally 60m, with topspin, forcing Nawaqanitawase to run the ball again from his in-goal. Nonetheless the magnificent Whyte nonetheless shunts his group over midway permitting DCE one other alternative to bomb. As is now customary, Ponga is overwhelmed within the air however Sydney can’t make something of the crumbs. The Knights proceed to live dangerously.
20 minutes: Sydney play at tempo to get inside ten of the road then Walker kicks to the left nook on the final however Tupou can’t haul it in and Newcastle survive once more.
18 minutes: This time Whyte will get his simply rewards, pounding Croker within the restart set, dislodging the bal and gifting his aspect a full set 35m out.
Sidenote: Tones and I’s Dance Monkey was performed over the PA following Newcastle’s strive. Salty, very very salty.
CONVERTED TRY! Roosters 0-6 Knights (Manuleleua, 16)
It’s been all Sydney up to now on this grand final however it’s Newcastle that open the scoring! Following the penalty the Knights arrange camp 30m out and tease the Roosters that Ponga goes to run the present however they execute a luxurious dummy play that as a substitute sees Manuleleua hit the road at breakneck velocity, reducing in from the left edge and scorching an unstoppable line below the crossbar. That was good mixture play from the underdogs.
Manuleleua has solely performed a handful of video games, and he dislocated his elbow a month in the past!
16 minutes: Bosh! Is that the circuit breaker? Frizell is ironed out by a mix of Whyte and Collins – and Gee blows his whistle for the primary time all night time for a excessive shot. Whyte nailed his effort, taking man and ball, forcing a unfastened carry, however the second man in induced a conflict of heads which prompted the penalty. Can NEwcastle capitalise?
15 minutes: The recreation is all on Sydney’s racket. Newcastle are making no floor popping out defence and the Roosters are punching holes repeatedly within the line of defense. Walker shimmies via one deal with, Robson backs him up, one other kick goes to a contest and once more it comes down in blue palms – however once more there’s no opening. The Knights are nearly hanging on right here, they want a circuit breaker earlier than their pack runs out of puff…
13 minutes: Newcastle achieve good floor down the fitting with Gagai and Young busy. Smith then kicks crossfield on the final nevertheless it’s poor and shallow and Nawaqanitawase resumes on the 20. This has been a lightning fast begin with no stoppages and each groups seeking to play on rapidly. Already some forwards look gassed. Sydney rumble to attacking 30 as per ordinary and Walker’s kick on the final is testing. Tedesco beats Ponga within the air, offloads to his proper, however the ball goes to floor and the Knights have numbers to clear.
11 minutes: Newcastle’s large males are struggling to make any floor up the center, the Knights counting on the dancing ft of Ponga to get them downfield. He’s had pleasure on the fitting edge, however not the left, towards the formidable defence of Toia. Speaking of robust proper centres, Dane Gagai flattens Tedesco popping out of defence however the fullback doesn’t flinch as his aspect rolls menacingly in direction of the crimson zone but once more. Not for the primary time tonight although a poor kick – this time from Walker – lets their opponents off the hook with Young marking in-goal for a seven deal with set.
9 minutes: Whyte has been highly effective early on and he units up one other drive over midway. DCE has one other alternative to loft the ball excessive to the fitting nook. It’s a straight contest between Queensland teammates Ponga and Toia. The ball goes to floor, Sydney comply with up and full a doable strive, however Gee blows for a knock-on towards the Rooster, a choice confirmed by the TMO.
8 minutes: Now the Roosters get a set restart popping out of their very own crimson zone and Whyte smashes them over midway. Whyte will get one other second chew of the cherry on deal with 4 after an outstanding offload from Radley 10m out in sight of the posts. On the final Sydney run – Smith cuts a devastating line off his left step – and Young chops him down with a try-saving deal with! Newcastle grind 40m then belt an extended clearing kick downfield for Tedesco to run again 30.
6 minutes: DCE kicks on deal with two! He was in search of a 40-20 throughout his physique however Ponga learn it like a e-book and the Knights get pleasure from their first assault of the night time. There’s a set restart on midway as Newcastle start to construct. “NEW-CAR-SUL” bellows the group because the ball is swung to the fitting with Ponga operating on the final, in search of Young on his exterior however Easts have sufficient our bodies across the Englishman to smuggle him into contact.
4 minutes: Tupou, Nawaqanitawase, and Toia put in some grunt work for Sydney as Tedesco takes centre stage in backfield. The kick on the final is in good subject place however Cherry-Evans is a bit shallow for Marky Mark on the fitting touchline. The ball comes again the best way of Easts however they’ll’t make something of it in damaged subject. Ponga is once more busy for Newcastle on their second drive however the Roosters have the early territorial benefit.
2 minutes: The noise is deafening – and strongly in Newcastle’s favour – because the Roosters start securely with Whyte, Nawaqanitawase, Collins, Radley, and Tedesco all carrying strongly. The Knights additionally get via their first set unscathed with Ponga having fun with an early scamper down the fitting edge.
Kick-off!
Adam Gee blows his whistle, Fletcher Sharpe swings his boot, and the 2026 NRL grand final is below manner …
As the nationwide anthem reverberates round Accor Stadium the TV protection crops tightly on Newcastle followers in disbelief. Will they witness an underdog miracle? Kick-off is imminent.
Boos greet the Roosters on what needs to be their residence turf. James Tedesco jogs them out, surveying the superior scene. Sydney are of their well-known tricolours tonight comprising a majority navy strip, white chevron, and crimson trim.
Phil Gould is heard on scorching mic saying “I can’t hear a word” because the TV protection crosses to him on the pitchside desk. It could be very loud in Accor Stadium due to the military of Knights supporters. And they attain fever pitch as Kalyn Ponga leads Newcastle out onto the sphere.
The underdogs are sporting a majority white uniform tonight with blue stripes and a few crimson piping for good measure.
Conditions: A day full of superb spring sunshine has given method to a gentle and dry night at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. Fullbacks can have a bit southerly breeze to cope with, however the power of that can decline because the night time wears on.
In case you have been unaware, Jai Arrow’s prognosis of MND offered a forlorn backdrop to the 2026 season, whereas former Wallaby hooker Nathan Charles was extra lately identified with the situation.
If rugby league tradition didn’t exist I’m unsure it will be doable to invent it.
Supergroup joins Jai Arrow tribute – in footage
Amy Shark is joined by Novacastrian Dave Gleeson from the Screaming Jets to sing “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes.
Now right here comes Grinspoon’s Phil Jamieson, and this motley supergroup unload into Simply The Best.
Amy Shark performs in pre-match tribute to Jai Arrow
There is a pre-game musical movie star in any case: Amy Shark. But as a substitute of the same old bombastic pop hits, she delivers a sombre a cappella model of You’ll Never Walk Alone, whereas Jai Arrow, who has retired from NRL after being identified with MND, and former Wallaby Nathan Charles are pushed round Accor Stadium.
Normally this near kick-off on grand final night time you’d be listening to a younger pop star (who I wouldn’t recognise) singing certainly one of their chart-topping hits (which I’d have by no means heard earlier than). But this 12 months the soundtrack is offered solely by the followers crammed into Accor Stadium following a distinction of opinion between the NRL and the anticipated pre-game leisure Tones and I.
The Dance Monkey singer made headlines this week after it was leaked she’d turned down a proposal to carry out at subsequent weekend’s NRL grand final. The rugby league boss Peter V’landys mentioned negotiations broke down on account of “artistic differences”, and a few claimed it was as a result of the Aria award-winning artist didn’t wish to play her greatest hit.
Instead, the grand final will go forward with out pre-game leisure, and V’landys has put $1m in direction of junior rugby league – an thought he’d been toying with for some time, he mentioned. “Rather than giving a performer $90,000 a minute, we would prefer to give it to grassroots,” he said on Tuesday. “When you look at it realistically for 11 minutes, it’s not worth it.”
We requested Newcastle followers what ‘better than Lego’ means to them. Here’s what they needed to say.
Alex McKinnon
On Sunday night time tens of millions of individuals with no pores and skin within the recreation will likely be compelled to select a aspect by their household, mates, companions, or the remainder of their native pub.
When your group isn’t taking part in, selecting who to barrack for in rugby league comes down to 1 precept: class warfare. Should neutrals again the Newcastle Knights, the mulleted, working-class sons of the Hunter Valley? Or do eastside heavyweights the Sydney Roosters deserve your love?
Nick Tedeschi
As he prepares for his fourth grand final in his 14th season on the helm of the tricolours, Robinson stands tall because the chief of a brand new manner that prizes private connection, treats gamers as individuals, and understands that stability and happiness maintain super worth.
Measured and methodical, few who’ve performed below him have something dangerous to say concerning the 49-year-old as a coach or a human – and the outcomes have spoken for themselves. Across his tenure, the Roosters have made the finals on 13 events, successful three titles. He has managed big-name, big-ego recruits like Cooper Cronk and Daly Cherry-Evans, dealt with the event of skills like Latrell Mitchell and Sam Walker, championed hard-workers like Mitchell Aubusson and Victor Radley, and acquired the perfect out of the mercurial Michael Jennings and Daniel Tupou.
Referee: Adam Gee will take cost of his second NRL grand final. The final time Gee refereed a grand final was throughout Penrith’s 2023 comeback victory over Brisbane.
Ben Smee
The first wave of Knights successes got here towards a backdrop of uncertainty about what a post-industrial future may imply for the metal metropolis. Two a long time on, for higher or worse, working-class Newcastle is now safer, extra assured and outward-looking; additionally dearer and unique.
DCE has spoken to Channel 9 concerning the enormity of the event.
To be sincere, simply due to the event of the grand final, it’s been very easy to place it to the aspect. I really feel just like the second I’ve made all of it about myself at any time of my profession, it’s by no means actually labored out too nicely. So actual group focus right now.
The veteran was delighted along with his group’s preparation.
Yeah, actually good. The longer turnaround I really feel actually helped us. We have been capable of get further restoration in after which construct our week actually properly. So I really feel prefer it was an incredible week of preparation. And now it’s simply trusting that to exit and play… it’s not about any storyline for us tonight. It’s nearly getting the job executed.
Daly Cherry-Evans turns into the oldest participant in NRL grand final historical past tonight, an event that may also carry the curtain down on the profession of the second-most capped footballer in competitors historical past. The 37 12 months previous received a premiership in his debut season with Manly manner again in 2011. Can he bookend his State of Origin and World Cup successful profession with silverware on the Roosters?
There are Newcastle followers throughout Sydney, they’ve packed Accor Stadium to the rafters, and there are 20,000 extra again residence watching from McDonald Jones Stadium.
Whatever the consequence, and irrespective of how good the Roosters may show to be, the event will likely be remembered for the Knights’ presence. They are, in fact, outsiders against the formidable tricolours. The underdogs completed seventh, and the finals have already delivered them three upsets towards the Rabbitohs, the Warriors and the Panthers. This Knights’ story gleams extra brightly one 12 months after their wood spoon.
Team News:
Just one enforced change per coach with the Knights’ beginning hooker Phoenix Crossland serving a four-game suspension for his hip-drop within the preliminary final that ended Nathan Cleary’s season. Thomas Cant is the shock late alternative regardless of Harrison Graham listed as beginning rake earlier within the week. The No 14 will as a substitute proceed the function he has crammed efficiently all 12 months and enter the sport across the half-hour mark.
For the Roosters, bench utility Connor Watson misses out after failing an HIA final weekend and topic to the necessary 11-day stand down. Benaiah Ioelu joins the interchange.
Sydney are in any other case at full power, boasting a bench that includes the likes of Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu, and Hugo Savala.
The underdogs stay with out enforcer Jacob Saifiti, who was additionally rubbed out for 4 matches for a crimson card, his in spherical 26 away to the Warriors. Trey Mooney has been a revelation within the entrance row however stays sidelined following a shoulder damage on that very same fateful journey to Auckland, whereas gun recruit Dylan Brown has been out of motion since tearing his ACL in spherical 21.
Newcastle Knights XIII
1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Fletcher Sharpe, 7. Sandon Smith, 8. Tyson Frizell, 19. Thomas Cant, 10. Cody Hopwood, 11. Jermaine McEwen, 12. Francis Manuleleua, 13. Mat Croker
Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham, 15. Lachlan Crouch, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Dylan Lucas, 18. Fletcher Hunt, 20. Kyle McCarthy
Reserve: 21.Diesel Hagan
Sydney Roosters XIII
1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Billy Smith, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Daly Cherry-Evans, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Salesi Foketi, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 15. Angus Crichton, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Spencer Leniu, 18. Hugo Savala, 19. Cody Ramsey, 20. Benaiah Ioelu
Reserve: 22. Egan Butcher
Roosters out to make it a double after NRLW aspect dominates grand final
The Roosters will likely be searching for to make it a double for the membership tonight after their ladies’s aspect dominated the Broncos within the NRLW grand final.
The Tricolours accomplished their excellent season with a 30-6 victory clinched by a six-tries-to-none first half, blitzing Brisbane and ruining the farewell of NRLW nice Ali Brigginshaw.
Tarryn Aiken received the Karyn Murphy medal as participant of match whereas Brydie Parker scored a hat-trick of tries because the unstoppable Roosters corrected the blip of final season’s resolve.
You can learn Jack Snape’s match report here and we’ve got a picture gallery from the match here.
Angus Fontaine
After 210 video games, 17,000 minutes and greater than 10,000 factors, all of it comes all the way down to the 2026 NRL grand final. One decider. Two determined groups. The Roosters, a star-studded outfit with 4 premierships in 25 years and velocity, energy and tactical brilliance throughout the park. And the Knights, 25 years without a title and coming off a wood spoon final 12 months, but riding an irresistible wave constructed on blue-collar braveness and underdog characters.
Preamble
Jonathan Howcroft
Hello all people and welcome to live protection of Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights from Accor Stadium. Kick-off in Sydney is scheduled for 7.30pm native time (6.30pm AEST).
The showpiece fixture in Australian rugby league brings collectively one of many unlikelier pairings within the sport’s historical past.
Newcastle ended 2025 with the wood spoon and a factors distinction of -300, whereas a seemingly transitional Sydney scrambled to eighth place. 12 months on and the Knights are a maverick attack-happy really feel good story, and the Roosters have a brand new lease of life being led across the park by a pair of Queensland halves at reverse ends of their careers.
Nonetheless, the most important day on the rugby league calendar pits fourth v seventh in a conflict that includes simply two of the 14 males chosen within the official NRL group of the season (Roosters Rob Toia and Naufahu Whyte).
This is reflective of a topsy-turvy marketing campaign, one which noticed reigning premiers Brisbane implode, Melbourne lastly regress to the imply, and the rising Bulldogs and Raiders hit velocity humps.
Penrith regarded imperious via the winter and the Warriors blossomed in spring, however neither might shake off the irrepressible Knights and the staggering perception instilled in them by Justin Holbrook, who has masterminded one of many all-time nice single-season overhauls – not simply in outcomes however in mindset and elegance of play.
The presence of a real underdog has electrified grand final week, the expertise enriched by tales of former glories from Novocastrian die-hards that haven’t been advised in lots of a 12 months.
But Easts usually are not wanting narrative themselves with the inspirational Daly Cherry-Evans, together with fan favourites Mark Nawaqanitawase and Angus Crichton, leaving Bondi on the finish of the season and determined to sign-off with silverware.
Since 2019 the grand final has solely witnessed one blowout, with the annual event turning right into a close to assured supply of nail-biting drama. It’s additionally turn into customary for superhuman feats to earn the Clive Churchill Medal with Nathan Cleary and Reece Walsh setting scarcely plausible requirements of brilliance in latest seasons.
Let’s hope we’re in for extra of the identical tonight.
I’ll be again with final group lists and extra shortly. Please ship me your emails and hold me firm all through the night. The deal with is jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com.