South Sydney Rabbitohs secured a home elimination final with a 50-20 victory over the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium in the final round of the 2026 NRL regular season.
The win, achieved on a night dedicated to Jai Arrow’s 100th appearance for the club, confirmed that Wayne Bennett’s side will finish sixth and host Newcastle in the opening week of the finals.
David Fifita set the tone for South Sydney, powering over for the opening try after six minutes and causing constant problems for a youthful Roosters pack. Cameron Murray was also influential, making 172 metres from 25 carries, breaking five tackles and completing 30 tackles.
Jayden Sullivan and Alex Johnston extended the Rabbitohs’ advantage before Daniel Tupou replied for the Roosters. Johnston’s effort was his 30th try of the season and the 240th of his career, although South Sydney went into half-time firmly in control at 24-8.
Campbell Graham added another try before the interval, while the Roosters struggled to build pressure after naming a much-changed side ahead of the finals. Their starting halfback, Reece Foley, failed a head-injury assessment and could not return, with Hayden Barton making his NRL debut.
South Sydney continued to pull away after the break. Euan Aitken, Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell all crossed, with the latter making an immediate impact after returning to the starting side.
A penalty try awarded after Tommy Talau was judged to have obstructed Adam Elliott increased the margin to 36-14. Mitchell then scored again from close range before Brandon Smith, facing his former club, added another four-pointer in the closing stages.
The Roosters scored late through Rex Bassingthwaighte, who finished with two tries, but the result extended their losing run to three matches. They drop to fourth and will face either the New Zealand Warriors or Penrith Panthers in a qualifying final.
Arrow’s milestone provided the emotional backdrop to the evening, with the Rabbitohs forward leading the team on to the field as “You’ll Never Walk Alone” rang around Allianz Stadium. South Sydney’s emphatic victory ensured the occasion ended with a finals berth on home soil.
