Sydney Roosters secured a place in the final eight and one of Manly’s all-time greats played his 352nd and final game for the club on a Friday night to savour.
Daly Cherry-Evans’ last season at Brookvale may not have been all he had hoped for but emotions ran high as he kicked a late field goal to steer his team to a 27-26 win in an error riddled contest.
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DCE gets one final run out in Manly colours
The Broncos’ win over the Storm last night meant the Warriors were out of top-four contention and they now head into next week’s finals on the back of two losses and facing either the Panthers or Roosters.
The action then headed to Allianz Stadium where the Roosters secured their finals spot with a 36-6 win over old foes South Sydney, who welcomed back Cameron Murray for his first game of the season to be part of Alex Johnston’s tilt at history.
The Rabbitohs flyer remains on 210 career tries, just two behind Ken Irvine’s record of 212 that has stood for more than 50 years.
The Dolphins also need to wait until next year to play finals as the Roosters 36-6 win means the Brisbane team can no longer finish in the Top 8 regardless of whether they beat Canberra on Sunday.
The Roosters are currently seventh but if Penrith beat the Dragons on Saturday, the four-time premiers will travel to Auckland next weekend to take on the Warriors and the Roosters will face the Sharks.
If the Panthers lose, they will play the Sharks and the Roosters will be off to New Zealand.
Finals match-ups
(1st) Raiders v (4th) Broncos
(2nd) Storm v (3rd) Bulldogs
(5th) Sharks v (8th) Panthers/Roosters
(6th) Warriors v (7th) Panthers/Roosters
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From the field: Mark Nawaqanitawase
Relive all the Round 27 action on NRL.com’s live blog.
Roosters v Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium
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Roosters v Rabbitohs – Round 27, 2025
Fulltime
Sydney Roosters have secured their place in the finals and are set to play Cronulla after defeating South Sydney before a crowd of 41,604 at Allianz Stadium. The Roosters led 10-6 at halftime but the 41st minute sinbinning of Jamie Humphreys took the sting out of the Rabbitohs bid to cause an upset and finish their season with a fourth consecutive win. Roosters captain James Tedesco turned in another five star performance to inspire his team to what had appeared an unlikely top eight finish earlier in the season as they were ravaged by injury. Tedesco produced three try assists and was heavily involved in the game, while winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored a hat-trick to almost certainly secure the Ken Irvine Medal as the season’s leading tryscorer. Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston was unable to add to his tally of 210 career tries and will have to wait until next season to pass Irvine’s 52-year record of 212 tries.
65 min: More razzle dazzle from the Roosters after Tupou passed inside to Tedesco who performed an inside flick pass that has become Nawaqanitawase’s trademark for Angus Crichton to score. Roosters 36 Rabbitohs 6.
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Angus Crichton Try
62 min: Walker puts the Roosters further ahead with a penalty goal after Isaiah Tass was ruled to have tackled Tedesco as he attempted to catch a pass from Watson. Roosters 30 Rabbitohs 6.
53 min: Nawaqanitawase has scored his third try of the match and 24th try in 23 NRL games after leaping above Johnston for a Walker kick. Walker converted. Roosters 28 Rabbiohs 6.
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Mark Nawaqanitawase 3rd Try
Crowd: 41,604
49 min: Cody Walker has saved another Roosters try after knocking the ball from the grasp of Radley as he dives across the line.
45 min: The Roosters are closing in on a finals berth after Savale links with Tedesco who put Toia into the clear. Tedesco backed up and found Watson in support for the NSW Origin utility to cross under the posts. Roosters 22 Rabbitohs 6.
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Connor Watson Try
42 min: The Roosters have immediately taken advantage of the one-man advantage with Connor Watson, Tedesco and Smith quickly shifting the ball for Daniel Tupou to score in the corner. Walker converted. Roosters 16 Rabbitohs 6.
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Daniel Tupou Try
41 min: A blow for the Rabbitohs with Jamie Humphreys sinbinned for a hip drop on Roosters secondrower Siua Wong.
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Jamie Humphreys sent to the bin
Halftime summary
The game’s oldest rivalry rarely fails to deliver a great contest and this is no different. The Roosters looked like they were going to run away with the match early but once the Rabbitohs reinforcements were sent into action in the form of Cameron Murray, Cody Walker and Brandon Smith, momentum shifted. Under siege before halftime, the Roosters dug deep in defence to repel the Rabbitohs and maintain a 10-6 lead at the interval.
40 min: One last chance for the Rabbitohs to score before halftime and Johnston chipped over the top only for Nawaqanitawase to punch the ball into touch before he could regather.
39 min: The Rabbitohs have shifted the ball to their left edge through Walker and Wighton to Johnston, who puts a banana kick infield but Radley cleans up ingoal for the Roosters.
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That’s a great kick from AJ
37 min: The Roosters have conceded the first penalty of the match after being ruled offside trying to stop the Rabbitohs carrying the ball out of their own end.
33 min: Tyrone Munro has been tackled into touch by Billy Smith and Sam Walker just before the Roosters line. Tempers errupted as players from both sides ran in, prompting referee Adam Gee to issue a general caution.
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Sam Walker bundles Munro into touch
28 min: Ward, who weights 73kg, has produced a big hit to help jolt the ball loose from Billy Smith in a tackle with Brandon Smith.
25 min: The Rabbitohs have hit back after the two smallest players on the field, Gray and halfback Ashton Ward, combined for a long range try. Gray brushed off Walker near halfway and raced away before finding Ward in support. Ward converted. Roosters 10 Rabbitohs 6.
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Ashton Ward Try
Cody Walker is also on for the Rabbitohs, joining Cam Murray and Brandon Smith as star studded interchange players.
21 min: Nawaqanitawase scores his second try after five-eighth Hugo Savale combined with fullback James Tedesco from a scrum win before and the Roosters fullback tapped the ball onto his winger. Walker converts from the sideline. Roosters 10 Rabbitohs 0.
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Mark Nawaqanitawase 2nd Try
19 min: Cameron Murray is on and has had his first touch of the 2025 season.
18 min: Rabbitohs hooker Brandon Smith is on for his first appearance against his former club.
16 min: Roosters prop Lindsay Collins has come from the field for a HIA.
15 min: The Roosters have been denied again after Gray produced a try saving tackle on Victor Radley after Nawaqanitawase caught a cross-field kick from Walker and passed one handed inside to centre Rob Toia.
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Savala slips through again
10 min: Spencer Leniu has had a try disallowed after fellow prop Naufahu Whyte obstructed Sean Keppie near the Rabbitohs line.
9 min: Nawaqanitawase almost scored again after Jye Gray fumbled a Sam Walker kick in-goal but the Rabbitohs fullback regained possession.
7 min: While all the attention has been on whether Alex Johnston can break Ken Irvine’s tryscoring record, his Roosters opposite Mark Nawaqanitawase is on track to be the top tryscorer of the the season and has opened the scoring with his 21st try. Sam Walker missed the conversion. Roosters 4-0.
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Mark Nawaqanitawase Try
1 min: There is a massive crowd in for the latest instalment of league’s oldest rivarly between 1908 foundation clubs Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Murray ready for cameo
Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray has revealed that he will play limited minutes in his return from a pre-season Achillies injury that has sidelined him until the final round.
“We have obviously discussed with the physios, so we’re looking to cap my minutes a little bit, but you know, nothing ever goes to plan, so we’ll see how it goes,” Murray told Nine.
Asked if he the clash with the Roosters circled for his return, Murray said: “I had one circled a couple of weeks ago actually. I didn’t make it back then, but I guess fate would have it that it’s against our archrivals and there’s a bit to play if we out there tonight, so hopefully we can, get the job done”.’
‘Not on my watch’
Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase is determined to stop Alex Johnston breaking the tryscoring record tonight.
“Obviously, it’s a credit to him, he’s had a wonderful career. He has scored many tries, but tonight I’m not going to let that happen, so you’ll have to save up for next year,” he said.
“We need this win to lock it down, but for now we just need to focus on getting the win, don’t think too far ahead, so we’ve got to do it. We know we can do.”
Late Mail
Roosters: Rookie hooker Benaiah Ioelu will start in a late switch with Connor Watson who drops back to the bench in the only change to the side named on Tuesday. Halfback Sam Walker is back on deck after suffering a concussion against the Eels in Round 25 so Sandon Smith drops out. No other changes for Trent Robinson to the side that pumped the Storm. A win will wrap up a spot in the top eight for the Roosters while a loss opens the door for the Dolphins. Ethan King is the 18th man.
Rabbitohs: Cameron Murray will start from the interchange for his first game of the season after rupturing his Achilles during the pre-season. Centre Jack Wighton is also back from suspension but Latrell Mitchell has been unable to overcome a back injury. Wighton’s return sees Tallis Duncan revert to the back row and Jacob Host move to the bench alongside Cody Walker, Brandon Smith and Murray. Winger Alex Johnston needs three tries to surpass Ken Irvine’s premiership tryscoring record. No late changes. Euan Aitken is 18th man.
Numbers Game
The Roosters have scored 146 points in their last four games.
The Rabbitohs have won only one of their past five games against the Roosters.
Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 11 tries in his last eight games.
Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston requires two tries to equal Ken Irvine’s premiership tryscoring record.
Hooker Connor Watson will make his 100th appearance for the Roosters.
Sea Eagles v Warriors at 4 Pines Park
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Sea Eagles v Warriors – Round 27, 2025
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Sea Eagles: Round 27
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Warriors: Round 27
Warrior spirit: Erin Clark continued his superb season with a wholehearted 80-minute performance that reaped 194 metres from 23 runs, nine tackle breaks and 41 tackles. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck had 20 runs for 234 metres and probed all night for holes in the Manly defence.
Case of the dropsies: The Sea Eagles completed at 70 per cent and came up with 16 errors while the Warriors made 14 errors and completed at 75 per cent.
Full-time: The Sea Eagles prevail 27-26 courtesy of a DCE field goal in his 352nd and final game for Manly.
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Cherry-Evans discusses ‘strange’ final game for the Sea Eagles
80 min: Tanah Boyd gets a long ball over to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who launches himself into the corner for the ultimate consolation try. Tanah Boyd converts from touch. 27-26.
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Jazz Tevaga sent to the bin
80 min: Manly will finish the game with 11 players after Jazz Tevaga is sent to the bin for a professional foul.
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Tom Trbojevic sent to the bin
79 min: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak finds space and gets a grubber away and is taken out by Tom Trbojevic who is sent to the bin for a professional foul.
78 min: A mistake by Chanel Harris-Tavita makes it 15 errors for the night for the Warriors as they head into the finals on the back of a sloppy performance.
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One last field goal for DCE
76 min: A fitting end for Daly Cherry-Evans as he snaps a left-footed field goal to make it 27-20 to the home side.
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Samuel Healey Try
73 min: Sam Healey caps a fine game when he carries Jazz Tevaga and Jake Simpkin over from dummy half to give the Warriors a chance at 26-20.
69 min: Tanah Boyd goes aerial and Jason Saab comes up with a classic catch but Ben Trbojevic then comes up with an error to give the Warriors another shot.
65 min: Ethan Bullemor is also forced off for a HIA.
61 min: Clayton Faulalo leaves the field for a HIA while fellow Sea Eagle Aaron Schoupp is gone for the night with a knee injury. Faulalo failed his assessment.
61 min: A moment to savour for Manly young gun Joey Walsh as he takes the field for his NRL debut.
61 min: The Warriors go to the air and Leka Halasima takes off with a trademark leap but can’t bring down the catch.
56 min: Aaron Schoupp enters the game off the bench after Tommy Talau is taken off with a suspected broken thumb.
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Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad Try
54 min: The Warriors hit back through Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad after slick hands from Sam Healey and Tanah Boyd who slams the conversion into the upright. Sea Eagles 26-14.
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Ethan Bullemor Try
49 min: Luke Brooks goes to the air, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad spills the ball, Corey Waddell scoops it up and sends it to Ethan Bullemor who scores. Sea Eagles 26-10.
47 min: A nice run by Eddie Ieremia-Toeava on the right edge gives the Warriors a chance but it goes wrong on the left side when Adam Pompey tries to tap it on to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and the ball goes out.
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Luke Brooks Try
43 min: Luke Brooks takes the ball 40 metres out and slices between Erin Clark and Demitric Vaimauga before sliding around Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and crossing to open a handy lead for Manly with DCE’s conversion. Sea Eagles 20-10.
42 min: Sam Healey is penalised for a dangerous tackle and placed on report.
Injury woes: The Warriors lost centre Rocco Berry to a shoulder injury after just five minutes and then back-rower Marata Niukore headed up the tunnel for treatment on his hamstring after 21 minutes.
Half-time: Manly completed 19 of 28 sets at 67 per cent while the Warriors were 13 of 20 at 65 per cent in a scrappy opening half. Lehi Hopoate (2 tries, 103 run metres) and Tom Trbojevic (73 run metres, 4 tackle breaks) were dangerous for Manly while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck clocked up 114 run metres for the Warriors.
39 min: Tom Trbojevic tries to tap the ball on to Lehi Hopoate but it goes forward and into touch as the error tally hits 17 between the two sides.
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Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Try
35 min: The Warriors strike back as Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad holds the ball up and then delivers a 20-metre floater over the top for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to cross in the corner. Tanah Boyd fails to add the extras. Sea Eagles 14-10.
31 min: Luke Brooks and Ben Trbojevic get it all wrong on the right edge and Manly come up with their seventh error of the night to match the Warriors’ seven.
30 min: Caleb Navale loses the ball, Manly throw in a captain’s challenge which is unsuccessful. The bunker rules no stripping action just a loose carry.
29 min: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak collects grubber and tries to dive into the corner but Lehi Hopoate comes across in cover and does enough to force DWZ to put a foot into touch.
28 min: A forward pass from Ethan Bullemor to Corey Waddell coming out of their own end invites the Warriors into the Red Zone again.
27 min: Kurt Capewell spills a pass and the Warriors again let Manly off the hook. That’s five errors for the Warriors so far.
22 min: More drama for the Warriors with Marata Niukore heading up the tunnel with a suspected hamstring injury.
21 min: Tom Trbojevic continues his impressive start to the game and gets over the line but Sam Healey does a great job to hold him up.
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Lehi Hopoate 2nd Try
16 min: Another left side raid by Manly and Tom Trbojevic delivers a magnificent face ball across Tommy Talau to Lehi Hopoate who cruises in for his second try of the night. Daly Cherry-Evans misses to the left. Sea Eagles 14-6.
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Jake Simpkin Try
10 min: Jake Simpkin powers through James Fisher-Harris and carries Kurt Capewell over the line with him to score Manly’s second try. Daly Cherry-Evans misses a relatively easy conversion. Sea Eagles 10-6.
6 min: Rocco Berry leaves the field clutching his arm after he landed awkwardly trying to come across in cover and stop Hopoate from scoring. Early reports are he has suffered a dislocated shoulder.
5 min: The Sea Eagles sweep to the left and Ben Trbojevic delivers the final pass for Lehi Hopoate to score. Daly Cherry-Evans converts. 6-6.
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Cherry-Evans kicks a 40/20
4 min: Daly Cherry-Evans composes himself and launches a 40-20 kick to put Manly inside the Red Zone. That’s the 41st 40-20 of his decorated career.
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James Fisher-Harris Try
9 seconds: The most stunning start to a game you could imagine as Daly Cherry-Evans allows the kick-off to bounce and it rolls back to Jason Saab who fumbles it and James Fisher-Harris picks up the scraps to score. Tanah Boyd converts. Warriors 6-0.
Late Mail
Sea Eagles: Rising playmaker Joey Walsh gets his first taste of NRL action after being 18th man the past two weeks. “We have to be smart with Joey, he has played less than 20 games of rugby league, so we’ll dip his toe in and give him 10-15 minutes towards the back end of the game,” coach Anthony Seibold said on Thursday. “This is a very small step in his NRL journey.” Warrington-bound prop Toafofoa Sipley has played his last game for Manly after failing in his bid to have his Dangerous Contact charge downgraded at the judiciary and copping a four-game ban. Aaron Schoupp has been added to the bench and youngster Simione Laiafi is 18th man. No late changes on game day.
Warriors: The Warriors are 1-17 with no late changes. Sam Healey takes over at hooker from Wayde Egan, who is expected to miss just one game with a hip injury. Taine Tuaupiki is the 18th man. The Warriors needed the Broncos to lose to the Storm to have any chance of making the top four.
Numbers Game
The Sea Eagles have scored 98 points in their past two games.
The Warriors have won only one of their past six games at 4 Pines Park.
Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored 10 tries in six games against the Warriors.