2025 NRL: Round 27 Recap

Check out what happened in round 27 of the National Rugby League competition.

Review

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The top eight is set after 27 rounds. Canberra Raiders (44 points, +148), Melbourne Storm (40, +212), Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (38, +120), and Brisbane Brisbane (36, +172) will play the qualifying finals. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (36, +109), the New Zealand Warriors (34, +21), Penrith Penrith (33, +107), and the Sydney Roosters (32, +132) will play the elimination finals.

Mark Nawaqanitawase won the 2025 Ken Irvine Medal, with his hat-trick against South Sydney taking him to 23 tries for the season. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (22 tries) fell short despite his hat-trick against Canberra. Jamayne Isaako (278) was the season’s leading points-scorer after scoring 20 (a try and eight goals) against Canberra. Newcastle collected the wooden spoon after losing to Parramatta.

Brisbane sealed fourth spot with a win over Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium. It was 12-on-12 late in the first half after Deine Mariner and Nelson Asofa-Solomona were both sin-binned. Reece Walsh finished with 22 poins (two tries and seven goals). It was a rare win for the Broncos against the Storm, with Melbourne winning 17 of the past 18 games. Jahrome Hughes went off with a suspected broken wrist in the first half, which could hurt Melbourne’s premiership hopes. GAME BREAKER: After an eventful week, Walsh took control of the game either side of half-time: a dummy half run and cut-out pass for Brendan Piakura’s try, a 40/20 kick after half-time, and his second try early in the second half, giving Brisbane an 18-4 lead.

Nawaqanitawase scored another hat-trick as the Sydney Roosters beat Souths at Allianz Stadium and sealed a finals spot. Alex Johnston needed three tries to pass Ken Irvine but went tryless against the Roosters. Nawaqanitawase scored two tries in the first 20 minutes as the Roosters led 10-6 at half-time. GAME BREAKER: Tries to Daniel Tupou (41st minute) and Connor Watson (44th) pushed the Roosters’ lead to 22-6.

Daly Cherry-Evans finished his Manly Warringah Sea Eagles career with a win over the Warriors at 4 Pines Park. While DCE’s future is undecided, he kicked four goals and a one-point field goal to help the Sea Eagles to their third straight win. Lehi Hopoate scored a double as Manly led 26-10 after 49 minutes before Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Samuel Healey reduced the margin to six. But the final minutes were chaotic: Tom Trbojevic and Jazz Tevaga were both sin binned before Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored his second try right on full-time. The Warriors also set the record for the fastest NRL try, with James Fisher-Harris scoring after nine seconds as Manly failed to catch the kick-off. GAME BREAKER: DCE’s field goal in the 75th minute gave Manly a seven-point lead, ensuring the game wouldn’t go to Golden Point despite Watene-Zelezniak’s late try.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks warmed up for their elimination final with a win over Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Accor Stadium. Cronulla led 18-0 at half-time as Canterbury lost Bronson Xerri to a head knock, his Category 1 HIA ruling him out of the Melbourne qualifying final. Viliame Kikau also had a HIA but returned to the field. And Marcelo Montoya went down with an ankle injury late in the game. GAME BREAKER: Cronulla scored three tries in 12 minutes (Billy Burns, Jesse Ramien, and Blayke Brailey) to take control of the game by half-time.

• Paul Alamoti scored a double and Nathan Cleary scored 16 points (a try and six goals) in Penrith’s win over St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium.
• The Gold Coast Titans came from 28-12 down to beat the Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium – ending Kieran Foran’s career on a high. AJ Brimson and Brian Kelly scored doubles for the Titans, while Jayden Campbell scored 16 points (a try and six goals).
• The Dolphins defeated the “Baby Raiders” at Kayo Stadium. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored a hat-trick, with doubles to Jake Averillo and Tevita Naufahu.
• Mitchell Moses and Josh Addo-Carr both scored hat-tricks in Parramatta’s win over Newcastle at CommBank Stadium.

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Results

Brisbane Broncos 30, Melbourne Storm 14 (Suncorp Stadium, 04/09/2025)

Brisbane Broncos: Reece Walsh (2 tries, 7 goals), Josiah Karapani (1 try), Kotoni Staggs, Deine Mariner, Jesse Arthars, Billy Walters, Ben Hunt, Corey Jensen, Cory Paix, Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura (1 try), Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Tyson Smoothy, Kobe Hetherington, Ben Talty, Jaiyden Hunt, Delouise Hoeter (18^th man – did not play)

Melbourne Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Will Warbrick (1 try), Grant Anderson, Nick Meaney (1 try, 1 goal), Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Josh King, Bronson Garlick, Tui Kamikamica, Ativalu Lisati, Eliesa Katoa (1 try), Trent Loiero, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tyran Wishart, Alec MacDonald, Joe Chan, Marion Seve (18^th man – did not play)

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 27, New Zealand Warriors 26 (4 Pines Park, 05/09/2025)

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Clayton Faulalo, Tommy Talau, Lehi Hopoate (2 tries), Luke Brooks (1 try), Daly Cherry-Evans (3 goals, 1 FG), Matthew Lodge, Jake Simpkin (1 try), Siosiua Taukeiaho, Corey Waddell, Ben Trbojevic, Jazz Tevaga, Joey Walsh, Caleb Navale, Ethan Bullemor (1 try), Aaron Schoupp, Simione Laiafi (18^th man – did not play)

New Zealand Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (2 tries), Adam Pompey, Rocco Berry, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita (1 try), Tanah Boyd (3 goals), James Fisher-Harris (1 try), Samuel Healey (1 try), Tanner Stowers-Smith, Kurt Capewell, Marata Niukore, Erin Clark, Te Maire Martin, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Demitric Vaimauga, Leka Halasima, Taine Tuaupiki (18^th man – did not play)

Sydney Roosters 36, South Sydney Rabbitohs 6 (Allianz Stadium, 05/09/2025)

Sydney Roosters: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou (1 try), Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase (3 tries), Hugo Savala, Sam Walker (6 goals), Spencer Leniu, Benaiah Ioelu, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton (1 try), Victor Radley, Naufahu Whyte, Connor Watson (1 try), Egan Butcher, Siua Wong, Blake Steep, Ethan King (18^th man – did not play)

South Sydney Rabbitohs: Jye Gray, Alex Johnston, Isaiah Tass, Jack Wighton, Tyrone Munro, Ashton Ward (1 try, 1 goal), Jamie Humphreys, Sean Keppie, Siliva Havili, Keaon Koloamatangi, Tallis Duncan, Jai Arrow, Lachlan Hubner, Brandon Smith, Jacob Host, Cody Walker, Cameron Murray, Euan Aitken (18^th man – did not play)

Penrith Panthers 40, St George-Illawarra Dragons 20 (WIN Stadium, 06/09/2025)

St George-Illawarra Dragons: Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan (1 try), Hayden Buchanan, Mathew Feagai, Corey Allan (1 try), Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan (1 try, 2 goals), Emre Guler, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Jacob Halangahu, Jaydn Su’A (1 try), Jack De Belin, Jacob Liddle, Luciano Leilua, Hame Sele, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Ben Murdoch-Masila (18^th man – did not play)

Penrith Panthers: Dylan Edwards, Tom Jenkins (1 try), Izack Tago, Casey McLean (1 try), Paul Alamoti (2 tries), Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary (1 try, 6 goals), Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith (1 try), Scott Sorensen, Luke Garner, Isaah Yeo, Brad Schneider, Liam Henry, Isaiah Papali’i (1 try), Daine Laurie, Mavrik Geyer (18^th man – did not play)

Gold Coast Titans 36, Wests Tigers 28 (CBUS Super Stadium, 06/09/2025)

Gold Coast Titans: Keano Kini, Brian Kelly (2 tries), AJ Brimson (2 tries), Carter Gordon, Jaylan De Groot, Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell (1 try, 6 goals), Moeaki Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Chris Randall, Beau Fermor (1 try), Klese Haas, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Cooper Bai, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Josh Patston, Tony Francis (18^th man – did not play)

Wests Tigers: Jahream Bula (1 try), Sunia Turuva, Taylan May, Starford To’a, Heamasi Makasini (1 try), Jarome Luai, Latu Fainu (1 try), Terrell May, Api Koroisau (4 goals), Alex Seyfarth, Samuela Fainu, Sione Fainu, Alex Twal, Fonua Pole, Heath Mason, Royce Hunt (2 tries), Tony Sukkar, Tristan Hope (18^th man – did not play)

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 6, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24 (Accor Stadium, 06/09/2025)

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Connor Tracey, Enari Tuala (1 try), Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton (1 goal, 1 try), Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Bailey Hayward, Josh Curran, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Samuel Hughes, Kurt Mann, Sitili Tupouniua, Reed Mahoney, Jethro Rinakama (18^th man – did not play)

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: William Kennedy, Sione Katoa (II), Jesse Ramien (1 try), KL Iro, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Daniel Atkinson (1 try), Nicho Hynes (4 goals), Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey (1 try), Toby Rudolf, Billy Burns (1 try), Teig Wilton, Jesse Colquhoun, Siosifa Talakai, Thomas Hazelton, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Oregon Kaufusi, Mawene Hiroti (18^th man – did not play)

Dolphins 62, Canberra Raiders 24 (Kayo Stadium, 07/09/2025)

Dolphins: Trai Fuller, Jamayne Isaako (1 try, 8 goals), Jake Averillo (2 tries), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (3 tries), Tevita Naufahu (2 tries), Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Francis Molo, Jeremy Marshall-King, Felise Kaufusi, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Oryn Keeley (1 try), Kurt Donoghoe, Aublix Tawha, Ray Stone (1 try, 1 goal), Mark Nicholls (1 try), Josh Kerr, James Walsh (18^th man – did not play)

Canberra Raiders: Chevy Stewart, Savelio Tamale, Sebastian Kris, Manaia Waitere, Michael Asomua (1 try), Adam Cook (4 goals), Ethan Sanders, Corey Horsburgh, Owen Pattie, Ata Mariota, Noah Martin (1 try), Matthew Nicholson, Morgan Smithies, Danny Levi, Trey Mooney, Joe Roddy (2 tries), Kain Anderson, Vena Patuki-Case (18^th man – did not play)

Parramatta Eels 66, Newcastle Knights 10 (CommBank Stadium, 07/09/2025)

Parramatta Eels: Isaiah Iongi, Zac Lomax (8 goals), Will Penisini (1 try), Sean Russell, Josh Addo-Carr (3 tries), Dylan Brown (1 try, 1 goal), Mitchell Moses (3 tries), J’maine Hopgood, Ryley Smith (1 try), Junior Paulo (1 try), Kelma Tuilagi, Jack Williams, Dylan Walker, Tallyn Da Silva (1 try), Matt Doorey (1 try), Charlie Guymer, Jordan Samrani, Joash Papalii (18^th man – did not play)

Newcastle Knights: Fletcher Hunt, Dominic Young, Dane Gagai (1 goal), Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew (1 try), Jake Arthur, Jack Cogger, Jacob Saifiti, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Frizell, Jermaine McEwen (1 try), Kai Pearce-Paul, Mat Croker, Jayden Brailey, Thomas Cant, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Cody Hopwood, James Schiller (18^th man – did not play)