Round 25 of the 2026 NRL season delivered plenty of highlights and lowlights, headlined by the Wests Tigers pulling off the upset of the season.
TIGERS PRODUCE UPSET OF THE SEASON
The Wests Tigers may have been very clear outsiders, but that hasn’t stopped them from producing the ‘Upset of the Season against the ladder-leading Sydney Roosters.
Conceding a try inside the opening two minutes, it looked like it was going to be a long day for the Tigers and their fans. However, they somehow fought back and led for most of the contest.
Heading into the final ten minutes with the lead, the Roosters were able to tie the score through a Sam Walker try and penalty conversion with a little less than five minutes remaining on the clock.
But it wasn’t enough, as Tigers halfback Jock Madden saved the day by slotting a pinpoint field goal to grant them the one-point victory and shifting the Tricolours from first all the way back down to third spot on the ladder with two weeks remaining in the competition.
THE MOMENT THE TIGERS STUNNED THE ROOSTERS 🤯🤯
An unbelievable game of rugby league came down to the final minute… pic.twitter.com/TTmXoICxSp
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 23, 2026
SEA EAGLES REMAIN IN FINALS CONTENTION
The Manly Sea Eagles have managed to remain in contention for this year’s finals series with a dominant away victory against the Newcastle Knights on a sunny Saturday afternoon in the Hunter region.
While they need several results to go their way over the next two rounds, the Sea Eagles remain a mathematical chance to play football in September after a Josh Feledy hat-trick and the halves of Clayton Faulalo and Jamal Fogarty helped steer them to victory.
Meanwhile, the Knights not only lost but are set to be without star duo Dominic Young and Tyson Frizell for at least one match after the international representatives were slapped with bans by the Match Review Committee.
HE’S BACK. MANU’S BACK
After a three-year stint in rugby union, it has been confirmed that New Zealand international and former Golden Boot award winner Joseph Manu will make his return to the NRL.
The former Sydney Roosters premiership-winner has agreed to become the latest signing of the PNG Chiefs, who will enter the NRL competition in 2028.
The latest player to be signed by the Chiefs, his signature is another key piece of the club’s roster, which has already landed Alex Johnston, Brian To’o, Connor Watson, Jarome Luai, Matty Lees and Zac Lomax.
“We’re thrilled to add Joey to our squad moving forward,” Chiefs general manager Michael Chammas said.
“He is a world-class footballer with versatility across several positions and can change a game in a single moment with the skills he possesses.
“His experience and demonstrated success at the highest level will be a great benefit to our team and we can’t wait to see him have a significant impact in the Chiefs jersey.”