Wild brawl erupts as NRL rivalry explodes in the stands

Dramatic footage has emerged of a wild brawl in the stands between fans of rival NRL teams, prompting 11 people to be evicted.

Dramatic footage has emerged of a wild brawl in the stands between fans of NRL arch rivals the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

During the match at Accor Stadium, in which the Rabbitohs overcame three injuries to win 20-14 in Latrell Mitchell’s return game, more than 10 fans were seen exchanging punches in the stands.

Footage of the wild brawl, which you can watch in the video below, shows security guards attempting to intervene as the violence gets out of hand.

The NRL responded to the incident on Saturday, saying an investigation is underway and the behaviour would not be tolerated.

“The NRL will work with the venue, security and NSW Police to identify instigators and take action through the NRL Spectator Code of Conduct,” an NRL spokesperson said, as reported by Code Sports.

“Anti-social or abusive behaviour at NRL matches will not be tolerated.”

A Venues NSW spokesperson also responded to the incident, reporting those involved were immediately removed from the venue.

“During the Rabbitohs-Roosters match, an altercation between two groups of males took place during the second half,” a spokesman said.

“Police and security responded and, ultimately, two groups of 11 males were evicted via different stadium gates. No medical assistance was required and no injuries were reported.”

Latrell Mitchell magic in Bunnies’ huge win

Latrell Mitchell made a key impact on his Rabbitohs return in their 20-14 victory over old rivals the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

Returning from injury for his 2025 debut and lining up in the centres for the first time since the 2019 grand final, Mitchell showed plenty of rust early.

But with Wayne Bennett’s side losing key players to a series of hamstring injuries in a brutal battle, the 27-year-old Mitchell stepped up when it counted, setting up Isaiah Tass’ critical 70th minute try and then slotted the conversion from the sideline.

The maligned character nearly scored a first-half try before dropping the ball over the line and was also wayward with his kicking game.

Yet with both of the Bunnies’ starting halves off the field, Mitchell switched to five-eighth and fired a sensational cut-out pass which landed in Tass’ lap to break the 14-14 deadlock.

“Mitchell throws a bullet, what a pass, what a showman, what a star. Tass scores in the corner. That is remarkable,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

“A couple of errors that you thought might have cost them, but the man’s confidence is through the roof.

“That is a pass very few in our game can throw.”

Mitchell then nailed the sideline conversion and had Accor Stadium rocking, with the exhausted Bunnies somehow mustering the strength to hold out their rivals who will be wishing they never let their star leave.

The Roosters are now 1-4 and are losing sight of the top eight after they failed to ice what should have been a straightforward second half.

Halves Chad Townsend and Sandon Smith have come under fire at different stages this season, with both men kicking balls out on the full and failing to come up with the killer blow when the Rabbitohs were there to be beaten.

Isaiah Tass of the Rabbitohs celebrates scoring a try with Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs during the round five NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Skipper James Tedesco tried his guts out with 220 metres and 12 tackle busts, but he needs way more support from his halves.

There could be more problems for the Roosters, who have Nat Butcher, Lindsay Collins and Connor Watson on report.

On the injury front, Lewis Dodd has had to bide his time in reserve grade, but the English recruit will finally get his chance in Perth next week.

Both Jamie Humphreys and Cody Walker limped off with hamstring injuries on a horror night for South Sydney.

Humphreys trudged off with a hamstring issue just minutes into the contest, while Walker didn’t return in the second half due to hamstring tightness.

Winger Mikaele Ravalawa then limped off with 30 minutes remaining, forcing the ultimate reshuffle with just one man on the bench.

Humphreys has been terrific to start the season but is set for a stint on the sidelines after injuring his left hamstring, with Dodd to get his shot to prove to club bosses they were right for bringing him to the NRL.

Jayden Sullivan will join him in the halves next week, with master coach Bennett now having to work out the rest of his squad for the long trip to Perth.

– with NewsWire

Originally published as Wild brawl erupts as NRL rivalry explodes in the stands