Alex Johnston needed 2 tries to break the NRL all-time try-scoring record, and he has now done it, reaching 213 career tries.

Quick Scoop

What was the record?

  • The long-standing NRL record was held by Ken Irvine with 212 career tries, set back in 1973.
  • Irvine’s mark stood for more than 50 years and was widely seen as one of the code’s ā€œunbreakableā€ numbers.

How many tries did Alex Johnston need?

  • Going into this week’s games, Johnston needed 2 tries to surpass Ken Irvine’s 212 and set a new outright record.
  • He first drew level with a try that took him to 212, then needed one more to move to 213 and stand alone at the top.

What just happened?

  • In the clash against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium, Johnston scored twice: one to equal the record and one to break it.
  • His second try of the night took him to 213, officially making him the NRL’s all-time leading try-scorer.
  • The moment sparked wild celebrations, with fans pouring onto the field despite warnings and heightened security.

Why this is such a big deal

  • Johnston has been closing in on the mark for the past few seasons, with milestones like his 210th and 211th tries heavily covered and debated by fans and media.
  • Pundits and former players have framed the achievement as a piece of rugby league ā€œimmortalityā€ and one of the great modern records in the sport.

In short: the trending question ā€œhow many tries does Alex Johnston need to break the recordā€ was answered on the field—he needed 2, and he scored them to hit 213 and rewrite NRL history.

TL;DR:
Alex Johnston needed 2 tries to break Ken Irvine’s NRL record of 212, and he scored both against the Roosters to move to 213 and become the all-time leading try-scorer.

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