Image caption, Mark Nawaqanitawase has 11 caps for Australia in rugby union and three in rugby league ByCraig NelsonBBC Sport Journalist Published 11 minutes ago Australian National Rugby League Grand Final Sydney Roosters (6) 19 Tries: Nawaqanitawase 2, Smith Goals: Walker 3 Drop goal: Cherry-Evans Newcastle Knights (12) 18 Tries: Manuleleua, Ponga, Marzhew Goals: Smith 3 Dual-code international winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored two tries to help Sydney Roosters end the Newcastle Knights' fairytale in the National Rugby League Premiership Grand Final.
Nawaqanitawase, who is stepping away from rugby league and could represent Australia at the rugby union World Cup next year, crossed once in each half to help prevent a big upset in front of a crowd of 80,814 at Stadium Australia.
Newcastle were looking to win a first title since 2001 and become the first club since 1934 to win the Premiership after finishing bottom in the previous season.
A late try from the Knights' Greg Marzhew made it a one-point game, but the Roosters held on to clinch a 16th title and first since 2019 in what was Nawaqanitawase's last game before moving to play union in Japan.
He played union for four years with Super Rugby's Waratahs before switching to rugby league in 2024 to line up for the Roosters, and Sunday's victory was the ideal sign-off as his two-year contract comes to an end.
"Credit to the Knights, they fought for 80 minutes there," said 26-year-old Nawaqanitawase.
"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." England beware - the Australia try magician who swapped union for league Published 30 October 2025 Nawaqanitawase played 11 times for the Wallabies between 2022 and 2023 before becoming the first union-to-league switcher to feature for the Kangaroos since Scott Gourley in 1991 when he played in last year's Ashes series.
The Knights, who finished three places below the Roosters in the regular season, looked determined not to give Nawaqanitawase his perfect swansong, with Francis Manuleleua and skipper Kalyn Ponga scoring early tries to give them a 12-0 lead.
But Nawaqanitawase cut the deficit with a clever kick and chase five minutes before the break.
Roosters centre Billy Smith forced his way over in the 47th minute for a converted try that levelled the scores at 12-12.
Sam Walker put the Sydney side in front for the first time with a penalty seven minutes later, and Nawaqanitawase added his second try in the right corner before the hour to extend the lead to 18-12.
Daly Cherry-Evans, 37, playing his last NRL game before his switch to Super League side Hull FC for the 2027 season, slotted a drop-goal to extend the advantage to seven points.
Knights summoned the spirit of their sensational semi-final win over Penrith Panthers with 12 men, as Marzhew crossed with four minutes remaining, but they were unable to complete what would have been a famous comeback.
