Eastern Hornbills win 2026 SGNRL Championship Grand Final

The Eastern Hornbills have been crowned the inaugural SGNRL Champions after edging out the Wanderers Tigers 20 – 18 in a thrilling Grand Final decider in mid-September.

In a high-stakes battle that went down to the wire, the Hornbills held off a ferocious late fightback from the Minor Premiers to claim the inaugural SGNRL Championship title.

Reuben Tangabi produced a standout performance for the Hornbills, earning the Outback Butchery Player of the Match honours after delivering crucial plays in both attack and defence, including a pivotal second-half try to help the Hornbills claim the win.

The Wanderers struck first in the opening period of the game when second rower, Luca Mori, scored in opening minutes of the game. With Thomas Chamberlain adding the extras the Tigers held an early 6 – 0 and looked set to record their third consecutive win against the Hornbills.

The Hornbills rallied however, and responded through hooker Nathan Tricoche in the 10th minute of the game. Tokelau Mawutu Akama added the extras to level the score, before Alan Castillo Lopez crossed just six minutes later to give the Hornbills a 12 – 6.

The Hornbills extended their advantage further when lock forward and player of the match, Reuben Tangabi, broke through for a crucial try. With Akama’s third successful conversion, the Hornbills held an 18 – 6 lead.

The Wanderers hit back though with Luca Mori’s scoring his second try of the match, but a late penalty goal from the boot of Akama proved decisive, pushing the Hornbills out to a 20 – 12 buffer.

A late try by Austin Tran and a conversion from Chamberlain brought the Tigers within two points in the dying moments, but the Hornbills stood firm under immense pressure to seal a historic 20 – 18 victory and claim the premiership title.

EASTERN HORNBILLS 20
Tries: Nathan Tricoche, Alan Castillo Lopez, Reuben Tangabi
Goals: Tokelau Mawutu Akama (3)
Penalty Goals: Tokelau Mawutu Akama
Squad: Ronan Brar, Quentin Andre, Takahito Saigo, Jeffery Mace, Giles Raymond, Matthew Adam Williams, Alan Castillo Lopez, Nathan Tricoche, Olivier Decroix, Carrel Narina, Theo Cornu, Reuben Tangabi, Dan Baeck, Johnathan Betler, Elliot Morgan, Ito Ryo, Tokelau Mawutu Akama, Jan Patrick McConville, William Tan, Tee Liang Sheng.

defeated WANDERERS TIGERS 18
Tries: Luca Mori (2), Austin Tran
Goals: Thomas Chamberlain (3)
Squad: Izzy Azmi, Thomas Chen, Austin Tran, Oliver McKimmie, Kieran Price, Jonathan Cox, Ricky Nurdin, Alex Corrigall, Dika Azmir, Harvey Brewin, Luca Mori, George Shaun Gadsby, Thomas Chamberlain, Rhodri Aled Davies, Leonard Armstrong, Sean Lee, Fynn An Postlethwaite, Oliver Manzi, Colyn Ng, Brad Ling.