NRL news: Wayne Bennett airs complaint after startling revelation from NRL record

Wayne Bennett admits he's never seen anything like the "special" scenes that unfolded in Sydney after Alex Johnston became the NRL's all-time record try scorer on Friday night. But the veteran Souths coach bemoaned the fact it was "pretty disruptive" to see thousands of fans descend onto Allianz Stadium during his side's 26-18 loss to the Roosters.

The Bunnies had all the momentum when Johnston latched onto a Latrell Mitchell pass to score the history-making 213th career of his extraordinary career in the first minute of the second half. He'd already equalled league legend Ken Irvine's long-standing record of 212 tries in the first half after also being set up by Mitchell.

But Johnston's historic second saw him take the record outright, and it sparked pandemonium as fans swarmed the ground to mark the once-in-a-lifetime moment. Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defied pleas from NRL bosses not to enter the field of play as he strolled across Allianz Stadium to join in the revelry, and the second half was delayed for 15 minutes.

But any momentum the Bunnies had after coming back from 12-0 down to level the score quickly evaporated as the Roosters regained the ascendancy. Mark Nawaqanitawase's classy try put the Tri Colours back in front and James Tedesco latched onto a clever kick from Daly Cherry-Evans in the dying seconds to wrap up the win, after Souths winger Campbell Graham's four-pointer had set up a grandstand finish.

Bennett was delighted for his record-breaking star after the game, but couldn't hide his frustrations at the wild scenes that accompanied Johnston's incredible feat. "Pretty disruptive," Bennett said about the second half delay. "We're out there trying to win a game of football. We're all out there trying our hearts out and all of a sudden it stops and takes all the momentum."

The veteran coach became sick of answering questions about Johnston in his post-match press conference after insisting "we all know how special he is." But Bennett conceded he'd never witnessed anything like the scenes that unfolded after Johnston broke the record and fans stormed the ground.

"I've coached nearly 1000 games and that hasn't happened. It's a pretty special time," the Souths coach said. Roosters counterpart Trent Robinson added: "To see a milestone like that in our game is legendary, to see someone break the try-scoring record. We didn't want to be a part of it, but to be honest, it was really great to see him achieve that tonight."

Alex Johnston reveals injury that almost ended his career

Johnston was overcome by emotion and the momentous occasion, but thanked his family, coach and teammates for their enduring support over the years. But the 31-year-old said he never thought the record would be possible after revealing how real the prospect of retiring was after he ruptured an Achilles tendon in July 2024 and required season-ending surgery.

"I thought I was done, to be honest," Johnston said. "I was in a bad place." Bennett - who convinced Souths to re-sign the winger in 2020 - was once again instrumental in convincing him to play on.

"I messaged Wayne and I told him I was in a bad place and he looked after me with some kind words," Johnston added. "It sort of got me back on track there. To get past that and to be here tonight, it feels a little better just knowing that I had a bit of adversity to overcome as well."

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