What a night it’s been. A great night for both South Sydney and the Roosters, and for rugby league in general, even if the NRL’s warnings of heavy fines, arrests and stadium bans were largely ignored by thousands of fans (and the prime minister).
Check out Christian Nicolussi’s report from the ground, relive the moment Alex Johnston made history below and stay tuned for all our follow-up coverage on smh.com.au tomorrow.
Thanks for being with us.
Thousands of fans have stormed onto the field at Allianz Stadium to celebrate South Sydney veteran Alex Johnston breaking the NRL’s try-scoring record.
The winger entered the history books when a break down the left edge put him over for his 213th career try, and his second in Friday’s clash with bitter rivals Sydney Roosters.
Johnston had earlier grabbed a Latrell Mitchell flick pass to score his first try of the night and equal Ken Irvine’s mark of 212, which the legendary winger set in 1973.
Security presence was increased for the round-two clash after Souths players and coach Wayne Bennett had this week urged supporters not to invade the pitch.
It was also an excellent night for the Roosters, who were humbled by the Warriors a week ago and are now on the board with their first win of 2026.
“Last week didn’t show the team we are,” skipper James Tedesco tells Brad Fittler on Nine.
“We knew we had to bounce back for our season, and we knew it wouldn’t be easy.
“It’s a good start. We’re on the path now.”
Tedesco has some praise for Daly Cherry-Evans, who produced some big plays tonight – scoring the Roosters’ first try, and creating their last – after being under fire for an underwhelming club debut last week.
“His control, his kicking game. He adds so much value to us and he’ll just get better and better,” Tedesco says.
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.”
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
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
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
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.
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