Hull KR have signed Ryan Hall on a two-year deal after the England international left Sydney Roosters. 

The former Leeds Rhinos winger left the Super League club two years ago to head to the NRL. 

However, problems with injuries restricted the 32-year-old to just 11 appearances during his time with the Roosters. 

Hall, six times a Super League Grand Final winner who also twice lifted the Challenge Cup with Leeds, is now excited to return to "familiar territory" under former Rhinos coach Tony Smith. 

"I loved my time over in Australia it was a great experience for me and my family. But I'm back to more familiar territory now, back in England and Super League," he told the club's official website. 

"I started off under Tony Smith, he gave me my debut at Leeds and then again with England, and also he's going to hopefully give me my debut for Hull KR as well.

"It's pretty cool and familiarity is a comforting thing, so as long as I get settled in as soon as possible I can get back to playing my best rugby. With my relationship with Tony and Danny McGuire, that should come pretty easily." 

Smith added: "Ryan had a number of choices in front of him, and he's chosen us, so we are delighted about that. I've worked with him before, and the amount he's learnt from his NRL experience since is enormous. 

"Roosters head coach Trent Robinson speaks of him highly. He's going to bring a wealth of experience to us. He's bought into the concept of improving our programme and he's got a strong desire to pass on his knowledge to others. 

"Anyone who knows Ryan will know he takes care of himself unbelievably well, he's in really good condition, he's got a body younger than most. He'll be a real asset to us and I'm delighted that he's decided to join us to be part of our rejuvenation."

Sydney Roosters' hopes of winning three NRL titles in a row are over after Canberra Raiders held on for a 22-18 victory in the semi-finals on Friday. 

Trent Robinson's team were bidding to become the first to three-peat since the Parramatta Eels did so between 1981 and 1983, but they were rocked by the Raiders' rapid start at the Sydney Cricket Ground. 

Josh Papalii, George Williams and Joseph Tapine all went over inside the opening 22 minutes as Canberra raced into a 16-0 lead. 

James Tedesco scored two tries for the Roosters but the Raiders held on, avenging their 2019 Grand Final loss to book a preliminary final against Melbourne Storm next week.

Papalii powered over for the visitors' first try and was then heavily involved as Williams crossed, with Tapine's fine solo effort giving Canberra a comfortable cushion. 

Tedesco finally got the Roosters on the board before the interval and Joseph Manu's converted try then brought them within four. 

However, Tedesco somehow failed to deal with Williams' kick, allowing Jack Wighton to score a fourth Canberra try and that proved pivotal, despite Sydney's full-back going over again.

Nathan Cleary was the hero with a brilliant hat-trick as minor premiership winners Penrith Panthers beat Sydney Roosters 29-28 to progress in the NRL finals.

A thrilling Qualifying final encounter on Friday saw Penrith reach the Preliminary finals after storming back from going 10 points behind in the early stages.

Cleary scored three tries as well as kicking four conversions and a drop goal, with Josh Mansour and Stephen Crichton also dotting down for the Panthers.

The Roosters, who will now have to face either Canberra Raiders or Cronulla Sharks in the semi-finals, made a fast start and came close to recovering in the latter stages but ultimately fell to a narrow defeat.

Early tries from Josh Morris and Freddy Lussick handed the defending champions the advantage but by the time the match reached the 50-minute mark, the Panthers had scored 28 unanswered points.

James Tedesco and Josh Morris crossed in reply for the Roosters, but Cleary's field goal ensured Penrith prevailed despite Angus Crichton's converted try setting up a tense finish.

Luke Keary tried to level matters with a desperate field goal attempt that fell short from 45 metres, allowing Cleary, the impressive Jarome Luai and the Panthers to celebrate as their fine 2020 season continued.

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson was left feeling "embarrassed" after watching his side thrashed 60-8 by Alex Johnston-inspired arch-rivals South Sydney Rabbitohs in Friday's NRL action, while the Gold Coast Titans swept aside the Newcastle Knights 36-6.

The Roosters went into the match third and four places ahead of the Rabbitohs in the table for the final round of the regular season, but they found themselves on the end of a historic battering.

The Bunnies claimed their biggest-ever win over the Roosters to make sure of a home match in the elimination finals, while the omens are not great for the latter – no side has ever won the Grand Final having conceded 50 points or more in a single game that season.

Robinson's side actually began the stronger, getting the match's first try after just three minutes, but they were soon pegged back and ultimately blown away – Johnston was the star of the show as he tapped down five times, including three in the final eight minutes.

"It hurts a lot. It's very embarrassing for us, there's not much more to say to that really," Robinson summarised.

"To go out and perform like that – it was really disappointing, I can imagine you can't feel much worse."

The Knights produced a similarly limp display against the Titans, who were in charge practically from start to finish – Ashley Taylor getting try number one in the second minute in what was a sign of things to come.

He later completed a hat-trick and also kicked three goals, as the Knights head into their finals meeting with the buoyant Rabbitohs in shaky form.

Craig Bellamy offered a cheeky response to Cameron Smith going beyond his career try total as Melbourne Storm wrapped up another top-two NRL finish with a 50-22 rout of Wests Tigers.

Smith scored one of nine Storm tries - the 47th of his career - to take him beyond Bellamy's haul from his playing days with Canberra Raiders, a fact he was keen to remind his Melbourne coach of when dotting down in the 71st minute.

Bellamy responded by flipping the bird back in the direction of his Storm players as they pointed up to their coach, who saw Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr cross for two tries apiece as Melbourne sealed a top-two finish for the fifth successive year.

"The only thing I can feel okay about is it took him 428 games to get there and I got mine in about 140 or something, 150," Bellamy said of Smith afterwards.

Cronulla Sharks had a night to forget as they suffered a 34-18 loss to Sydney Roosters, and lost star playmaker Shaun Johnson to a suspected Achilles injury.

The Sharks are already assured of a finals berth but the absence of Johnson - who has provided an NRL-best 22 try assists - would be a monumental blow.

Mitchell Aubusson marked becoming the Roosters' all-time leader in appearances by scoring a brace of tries on his 303rd outing for Sydney.

Gold Coast Titans' good form continued as they beat Manly Sea Eagles 42-24 for a fourth successive victory, though that game was also overshadowed by a shoulder injury to Tom Trbojevic.

The Manly fullback was only making his return from three months out with a hamstring injury and is now a doubt for the State of Origin series.

Daniel Tupou scored his 100th NRL try as Sydney Roosters ended Newcastle Knights' top-four hopes with a 42-12 victory at the SCG on Saturday.

Roosters wing Tupou's second of the game early in the second half saw him hit the milestone in his 171st appearance, helping his team move ahead of Parramatta Eels on points difference and into third.

Josh Morris, Tupou, Luke Keary, Joseph Manu and James Tedesco all crossed in a rampant first half for the hosts, who lost Boyd Cordner to a head injury after 26 minutes, though tries from Enari Tuala and Gehamat Shibasaki ensured the Knights were not completely out of the game.

The Roosters moved the ball magnificently for Tupou to touch down for the 100th time in the left corner three minutes after the restart, and Jake Friend's excellent pass preceded Keary completing his double in the 70th minute.

Brett Morris and Joseph Manu held up Lee to keep Newcastle, who were without full-back Kalyn Pogna, scoreless in the second half, with Sonny Bill Williams playing over half an hour after managing 14 minutes on his debut last week.

The Roosters' success meant Canberra Raiders remain two points adrift of the top four despite a big 37-8 win over St George Illawarra Dragons.

Jack Wighton touched down twice for the visitors at WIN Stadium, while Hudson Young, who missed last year's Grand Final due to an eight-game ban for eye gouging and suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season, scored a try and set one up for John Bateman.

Young's display enabled Josh Papalii to rest for the entire second half, with the only consolation for the Dragons being Cody Ramsey scoring with his first touch in NRL and adding a second before half-time.

Brisbane Broncos took the lead against Gold Coast Titans but ended up succumbing to a club-record ninth straight defeat.

Darius Boyd put the struggling Broncos ahead at Cbus Super Stadium but after Ash Taylor's line break initiated a length-of-the-field move that was finished off by Young Tonumaipea, the Titans held firm for an 18-6 triumph.

Sonny Bill Williams is a "freak of nature" rated by former New Zealand coach Steve Hansen as the best athlete he has ever coached.

Cross-code star Williams is set to mark his return to Australian rugby league for the Sydney Roosters this weekend, having been left without a team play for after Toronto Wolfpack withdrew from the Super League.

The 35-year-old left the Roosters and rugby league in 2014 but will make a warmly welcomed comeback against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday after undergoing a coronavirus quarantine period.

Two-time rugby union World Cup-winner Williams is a man of many talents, having also had seven professional boxing matches, and for Hansen – who has coached some of union's all-time greats, including legendary All Black Richie McCaw – he is the pick of the bunch in terms of all-round athleticism. 

"The greatest rugby player I've coached was McCaw but Sonny would be the best athlete I've coached from a pure athlete sense," Hansen told the Sydney Daily Telegraph. 

"He's a freak of nature."

Hansen, who stepped down from the All Blacks after the 2019 World Cup, also praised Williams' influence on the younger generation.

"As he has got older, he has matured," added Hansen. "His training habits and his off-field habits are world-class now. 

"He will be a good role model for the young fellas in the club."

Ian Foster is now in charge of New Zealand and Hansen, who admits it will be difficult to watch the side play without being directly involved, expects him to do well.

"The All Blacks haven't had a game so I've been quite lucky to have the opportunity to get used to not coaching them without having to watch them," he said.

"I'm sure there will be a tug in the old heart when they finally get out onto the track.

"But Fossie will do a great job with them I'm sure, and I'm really excited for him to take the team to the next level."

Penrith Panthers recovered from a shaky start to comfortably see off Brisbane Broncos 25-12 for a 12th straight victory to move a step closer to being crowned NRL minor premiers.

The Broncos began life without head coach Anthony Seibold with a 58-12 loss against Sydney Roosters last week but made a promising start to Thursday's clash at Suncorp Stadium.

Kotoni Staggs was played through a gap to the outside of Stephen Crichton by Darius Boyd and stormed over for a ninth-minute try.

But the Panthers soon found their stride and were on level terms with 25 minutes played thanks to Josh Mansour, who profited from Jarome Luai's great work.

Nathan Cleary put the visitors in front with a penalty and then placed a perfect kick behind for Kurt Capewell to catch and ground just before half-time.

The Broncos, unbeaten since June, flexed their muscles a little more in the second half and further extended their lead when Luai pounced on another Cleary kick.

Jordan Riki charged up the field and around the outside of Dylan Edwards to reduce the arrears, but Brian To'o responded almost instantly by scrambling over in the corner at the opposite end.

The impressive Cleary sent over a drop goal late on to add further gloss to the scoreline as the leaders moved five points clear of Melbourne Storm, who face South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday.

Sydney Roosters ran in 10 tries as the miserable Brisbane Broncos began life without head coach Anthony Seibold with a 58-12 defeat at the SCG.

Seibold departed this week following a sixth successive loss and Peter Gentle, who will be at the helm for the rest of the season, was unable to pull off an upset against the reigning premiers.

Sitili Tupouniua powered through for the opening score in the fifth minute and he played a crucial role in a try for James Tedesco, who went over after Isaac Liu.

Tupouniua doubled his tally in the 27th minute but Kotoni Staggs ensured the Broncos did not go into half-time scoreless with his ninth try in 10 games this year.

The onslaught from the Roosters continued soon after the restart, though, with Josh Morris and Daniel Tupou touching down by the 46th minute.

A fine individual effort from David Fifita reduced the arrears, but Nat Butcher streaked clear before Morris and Tupou bagged braces.

The impressive Kyle Flanagan slotted through a ninth successful conversion after Brett Morris capped a resounding victory that closed the gap to the third-placed Parramatta Eels, who were thumped by South Sydney Rabbitohs on Thursday, to two points.

Jamal Fogarty was the hero as Gold Coast Titans rallied from 10-4 down in the final five minutes to beat St George Illawarra Dragons 14-10.

Tyron Peachey touched down after Fogarty's grubber bounced kindly off the padding around the post, and the Titans half-back successfully converted to restore parity.

Fogarty ensure there was no need for golden point extra time, finding a way over after an excellent line break from Alex Brimson to seal a second win in seven games and hurt the Dragons' finals hopes.

Sydney Roosters club captain Mitchell Aubusson will retire from rugby league at the end of the NRL season.

Aubusson, 32, is the second most-capped player in the Roosters' history, having featured 301 times.

The three-time premiership player, who has spent his entire career with the club, said he would retire at season's end.

"This is a decision I've thought long and hard about. I'm still really enjoying my footy and love being around the team we have here at the Roosters, but I have no doubt that it's the right time to make this call," Aubusson said on Monday.

"I remember as a 15-year-old growing up thinking I'd love to just play one game of first grade, and to be able to reflect on the career I've had so far, and to have done it all with the Roosters is something I'm incredibly proud of. The Sydney Roosters Club and everyone who's a part of it means everything to me.

"There are many people who have played an important role in helping me in my career throughout the years, and I'd like to extend my thanks to them all, right back to my junior clubs the Ballina Seagulls and Mittagong Lions.

"I was lucky enough to be recruited to the Roosters by the great Artie Beetson, and I'll always be grateful for that day. I wouldn't be here without him.

"I also can't thank the staff here at the Roosters, especially Cath King and Dee Michailidis, as well as our supporters and sponsors enough.

"To our chairman Nick Politis and our board of directors, thank you for your unwavering support. Nick, to you especially. Our club is so lucky to have had you leading the way for over 40 years now."

Aubusson was full of praise for Roosters head coach Trent Robinson, who has been in charge since 2013.

"I also want to make a special mention of Trent Robinson. He's the best coach I've ever had, and he's also a mate. He has challenged me every day, and I'm a better player and man for it. To Craig Fitzgibbon and all our coaching staff, thank you for setting the bar every day, and most importantly for your friendship," he said.

"I've been blessed to play with some pretty special people here at the Roosters over the years, many I'm proud to call my closest friends, and I'd like to thank them. To my current team-mates, we're a tight group and I'm so privileged every time I get to run out with you.

"Most importantly, I would like to thank my family; my parents for everything they did to support me, my brothers for always being there to throw a footy around with when we were kids, and most of all my wife Laura and our children Daisy and Odie. They're the three most important people in the world to me and I can't wait to spend more time with them."

The Roosters are contending again in 2020, sitting fourth in the table.

Sydney Roosters star Luke Keary has extended his contract with the NRL champions until at least the end of 2024.

Keary, capped twice by Australia, has made 85 appearances for the Roosters since his arrival from the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2017.

The 28-year-old is a three-time NRL premiership winner, once with the Rabbitohs and twice with the Roosters, claiming the Clive Churchill Medal in the 2018 Grand Final.

Keary is delighted to have extended his deal with the Roosters for a further three years.

"From the top down, there's a really good group of people involved at the Roosters, and I'm excited to have my long-term future locked in here," he said.

Roosters head coach Trent Robinson hailed the re-signing of the playmaker.

"Luke is a leader and a student of the game who brings energy to everything he does," he said.

"He's also a good person, so it's great news that he will continue to play his important role here at the Roosters in the coming years."

The Roosters are fourth in the NRL ladder ahead of Saturday's clash with the Wests Tigers.

Justin Olam scored a pair of tries as Melbourne Storm defeated defending premiers Sydney Roosters 24-6 to move to the top of the NRL standings.

Olam's double came sandwiched between scores from the excellent Jahrome Hughes and Felise Kaufusi, with Ryan Papenhuyzen adding three successful conversions and a penalty.

The Storm led inside the opening 10 minutes, with Olam then further compounding the home side's misery before Papenhuyzen saw a try ruled out.

Having lost Lachlan Lam and Mitch Aubusson to ankle and wrist injuries respectively, the Roosters were dealt a further blow when star man Luke Keary was forced off with a rib problem.

An ambulance had to be called for Keary, with Sydney fearing the hit to his ribs may have caused internal injury.

There was some consolation for Sydney, as Christian Tuipulotu dived over in the corner for a debut try, but the Storm never looked in danger of letting their lead slip away as they eased to an eighth straight win.

Mitchell Aubusson scored a try in his 300th NRL appearance as the in-form Sydney Roosters beat St George Illawarra Dragons 24-16 on Thursday.

Aubusson became only the 40th player to reach the landmark and the one-club man marked the occasion in style, scoring the second of five Roosters tries at WIN Stadium.

Joseph Manu crossed in the first minute in Wollongong and Aubusson crashed over to put the two-time defending premiers 10-0 up after 13 minutes.

The Dragons, reeling from back-to-back defeats, hit back and were level at the break following a double from Zac Lomax, who converted one of his scores.

Luke Keary starred in the second half, laying on a try for Sitili Tupouniua and scoring one of his own after Manu dotted down for his second of the night.

Matt Dufty scored a third Dragons try in the closing stages, but the Roosters had a third consecutive win in a row in the bag by then to sit three points behind leaders Penrith Panthers, in fourth place.

Canberra Raiders rallied impressively to beat South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday, while there were also wins for Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters.

The Rabbitohs led 12-10 midway through the contest at a rain-soaked GIO Stadium, Dane Gagai and Adam Reynolds crossing for tries that the latter also converted.

However, the depleted Raiders - who lost Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to a finger injury - shut out their opponents in the second half, allowing them to overturn the narrow deficit and claim an 18-12 victory.

After Nick Cotric and Jarrod Croker had grabbed tries in the opening half, Semi Valemei touched down in the NRL for the first time just before the hour mark. Ricky Stuart's side then stood firm in difficult conditions to prevail, meaning they move to fifth in the standings.

The Roosters are just above them after they triumphed 18-10 against the New Zealand Warriors, though the reigning champions made hard work of it at Central Coast Stadium.

Ken Maumalo and Eliesa Katoa scored tries as the Warriors led 10-6 at the break. However, Luke Keary and Joseph Manu went over to help the Roosters rally.

Cronulla sit seventh in the ladder after Shaun Johnson inspired the Sharks to a 28-24 triumph over the St George Illawarra Dragons.

The New Zealand half-back scored a try and kicked four conversions as the Sharks overcame injuries to Jesse Ramien and Chad Townsend, while Zac Lomax had 16 points for the beaten Dragons.

Following an incident in the game, the NRL announced bunker officials Steve Clark and Ben Galea had been dropped after incorrectly awarding a try to Cronulla's Jack Williams, who was ruled to have touched the ball down despite Matthew Dufty appearing to ground it first.

Trent Robinson confirmed the Sydney Roosters were "a fair way down the track" in their bid to bring Sonny Bill Williams back to the club.

Williams is set to make an NRL return after the Toronto Wolfpack withdrew from the remainder of the Super League season.

The 34-year-old left the Roosters and rugby league in 2014, but is set to make a return.

Roosters head coach Robinson said a deal for Williams to return to the club was close.

"He knows our people and our style of play. Things haven't changed, we've evolved that, he knows that by watching us," he told a news conference on Friday.

"But he also feels our style of play still, he knows the people in the place, a lot of our senior players were his team-mates and he's a Rooster and he's going to add value in some really key areas.

"That's a fair way down the track, but they're the reasons why we'd like to have him here.

"Obviously with the sad news with Toronto and what's happened with COVID and the restrictions on their season and visas and being able to go in and out of the country and crowds, it's had a big effect on rugby league not only here but in the Northern Hemisphere so that's opened the opportunity."

The Roosters, who have won back-to-back NRL premierships, are contending again, sitting fifth in the table.

With 10 games remaining in the Roosters' season, Robinson said he would not expect Williams to be in action until late in the campaign.

"I think obviously travel won't be until next week, it's hard to get flights to fly back and then the quarantine period and then a training period," he said.

"It is going to be towards the back end, sort of five to four games to go would be the earliest I would think."

Williams played 45 games across two seasons in his previous stint with the Roosters, helping the club win the 2013 Grand Final.