NRL 2026 LIVE: Roosters lead after Johnston sets new all-time try scoring record

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Watch: Alex Johnston makes history

10.15pm

‘Honestly, it’s beyond words’: Johnston reflects on a magic night

It must be a slightly odd feeling for Souths fans at Allianz Stadium, but they’d probably be happy to trade witnessing a loss to their arch rivals for the memory of being there when Alex Johnston became rugby league’s greatest ever try-scorer.

Give it a year and they’ll probably forget the result, like Australian cricket fans tend to do when reflecting on Steve Waugh’s historic hundred-off-the-last-ball at the SCG (England went on to win that Test).

Johnston is talking to Nine’s Billy Slater now, surrounded by his family.

“It’s been an unreal journey,” Johnston says.

“To be here in this situation I can’t believe it. Honestly, it’s beyond words, and I feel so privileged right now.”

Alex Johnston is swamped by fans at Allianz Stadium.

10.10pm

TRY: Roosters wrap it up as Cherry-Evans kicks for Tedesco

And that’ll be it, with the Roosters on the attack inside the final two minutes, and wily old veterans Daly Cherry-Evans and James Tedesco combining for the match-winner. Cherry-Evans, under a bit of pressure from a fast-rushing defence, rolls in a grubber kick which bounces perfectly for the chasing Tedesco, and the skipper touches down for his team’s first win of the season.

It’s been Johnston’s night but it’s also been a good night for the Roosters.

Roosters 24 beat Rabbitohs 18

10.02pm

Roosters miss chance to score the match-winner

Errors from both teams now, as a Souths penalty kick for touch doesn’t find the sideline but is instead returned by James Tedesco. The Roosters look to kill off this contest with a shift to the left but Tedesco’s pass to Junior Pauga is just too far out in front of the young centre who puts it down.

Roosters 20, Rabbitohs 18 with six minutes left

9.59pm

TRY: Wighton sets up Graham to bring Souths back into it

Souths are in! That’s excellent stuff from Jack Wighton, who drifts inside from right centre and turns back into a five-eighth for a moment, stepping past a defender, looking to the right corner and rolling in a perfect grubber kick for Campbell Graham to score.

Latrell Mitchell bends his conversion kick between the sticks and it’s a two-point ball game. There could still be a late twist in the tail in this one.

Roosters 20, Rabbitohs 18 with 10 minutes left

9.52pm

Walker edges Roosters further ahead

A penalty against Latrell Mitchell, converted by Sam Walker, now has the Roosters eight points ahead and seemingly in control of this one. They’ve been very strong since the 15-minute break following Alex Johnston’s record-breaking try, though the Rabbitohs have the firepower to turn things around very quickly.

Here’s the latest from Christian Nicolussi at the ground on the wild moments that followed Johnston’s magic moment.

9.45pm

In pictures: Crowd rushes the field to celebrate Johnston record

Alex Johnston after his record-breaking try.

9.43pm

Walker converts from the sideline, Aitken out

Sam Walker converts from the sideline and the Roosters have a six-point lead again, and threaten to ruin the party for Souths with the Bunnies fans still riding high from that Johnston record-breaker.

The game has settled back into the grind with both sides playing it safe for a couple of sets, though the Rabbitohs have lost second-rower Euan Aitken to a cork.

Roosters 18, Rabbitohs 12 with 24 minutes left

9.40pm

Remarkable scenes as crowd celebrates history

Have just come back from being down on the field. Remarkable stuff and a moment that will be etched in rugby league history. Quite the scene with fans pouring onto the field, trying to get as close to Johnston as possible. Anthony Albanese was ushered away by security while waving his Souths scarf around over his head. An electric atmosphere and a pretty orderly exit of people off the field. A few gooses but well done to security, police and venue staff.

9.38pm

TRY: Nawaqanitawase puts Roosters back in front

The Roosters an in again but again they look like being denied by the video referee. James Tedesco chases down a kick, and strips possession from Jye Gray, then gets an offload away as he’s tackled to the ground and the ball finds Junior Pauga who crosses the tryline, but the officials find both he and Gray had knocked on.

The Roosters regain possession and continue to hunt for the lead, with Souths defending their own line. They must be in a weird mindset after the emotional mid-game hiatus after Johnston’s record.

And now the Roosters go right, and Robert Toia offloads to Mark Nawaqanitawase who does very well to score in the corner.

Roosters 16, Rabbitohs 12 with 28 minutes left

9.31pm