2026 R1 Fri - Warriors 42-18 Sydney @ Go Media

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2026 - Round 1
Warriors v Sydney Roosters
Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa, Penrose (TICKETS)

Friday 6 March 2026
8:00pm local (NZT), 6:00pm AEDT (NSW)
Live on Fox League, Kayo Sports, Sky Sport NZ

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Demitric Vaimauga 16. Leka Halasima 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Morgan Gannon 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 22. Luke Hanson 23. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Blake Steep 14. Connor Watson 15. Siua Wong 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Fetalaiga Pauga 20. Salesi Foketi 21. Tommy Talau 22. Toby Rodwell

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Sideline Officials: Kieren Irons, Michael Wise
Video Referee: Chris Butler

HEAD TO HEAD - 1995 - 2025​

	TOTAL	WARRIORS	SYDNEY	DRAWN
ALL MATCHES	48	23	24	1
GO MEDIA	21	13	8	0

LAST FIVE MEETINGS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2022	Round 6	SYDNEY 22-14	SCG	11267
2023	Round 2	SYDNEY 20-12	Allianz	16267
2023	Round 9	SYDNEY 14-0	Mt Smart	20395
2024	Round 10	SYDNEY 38-18	Allianz	16517
2025	Round 3	WARRIORS 14-6	Go Media	23219

BIGGEST WINS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2004	Round 12	SYDNEY 58-6	Aussie	10078
2006	Round 25	WARRIORS 42-16	Mt Smart	12711

NEXT FOUR MATCHES​

	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4	Round 5
WARRIORS	CANBERRA (H)	NEWCASTLE (A)	WESTS TIGERS (H)	CRONULLA (A)
SYDNEY	SOUTH SYDNEY (H)	PENRITH (H)	MANLY (A)	(BYE)

 

[mozza91]

Reckon the Warriors get up here. Chooks are notorious for their slow starts to the year and it’s a tough place to win.

 

[This Year?]

Warriors prepare to be fisted by the officials!

 

[Someone2]

Roosters by 14

 

[Vic Mackey]

I know Easts have a habit of stinking of round 1 but they similar to Penrith they look like they're going to mean business this year and took (half a one anyway) a trial seriously which they rarely do. Walker looks great and his combo on the right with Angus was slick. DCE will chime in nicely on the left.

That Wahs spine is disgusting, I reckon i could find nsw/qld cup ones better then that. They'll be brave like they always are at home but cant see where their points come from.

Roosters by 14.

 

[Captain Apollo]

I'm hoping for a win but even in the past, when my team have been flying for wise, the Warriors always seem to get up for it when we play them. I wouldn't be surprised if the Warriors pulled out a win.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Fox Sports reporting Robert Toia is out for the Roosters. Pauga into the starting side.

Bunnies make call on injured duo as Dolphins reshuffle spine

Bunnies make call on injured duo as Dolphins reshuffle spine

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Warrimoo3]

Injuries have made this game a bit tricky to predict. Toia is a big loss and Roosters v Warriors matches , with occasional exceptions , tend to be hard fought affairs.

This year I’ve got the Roosters in the grand final on my bingo card as long as they don’t have too many long term injuries to their outside backs where depth is a bit thin. Cody Ramsay and Tommy Talau were good pick ups from that point of view.

The Roosters missed a big opportunity in the finals against the Sharks last year. Ignoring Toupou’s aerial threat just after the NRL confirmed that jumpers for bombs were not allowed to be tackled in the air was unforgiveable from a tactical point of view. Then again , Bellamy made the same mistake by not getting his kickers to put up dinky little kicks to Coates In the grand final.

The Roosters have twin primary aerial threats on the wing and a secondary one in Billy Smith. Expect plenty of cross field kicks/dinks to those players. I’d put Talau in the centre to replace Toia as he can do a job there. Importantly don’t move Alphabet Soup from wing to centre.

The Warriors don’t have a great long kicking game via Tannah Boyd who maxes out at around 40 metres. DCE can get 40 to 50 metres and a 40/20 out of nowhere. The Warriors recognised their lack of pace , especially without Metcalf , and duly signed KP. Webster seems to be a very loyal coach but the time has come to tap a few players on the shoulders

Niukore is a big loss for the Warriors . The unfortunate loss of Metcalf and Barnett last year derailed their season but it ended up a lot better season than their opening round performance in Las Vegas against the Raiders had suggested.

Comparing the spines , the Roosters have a distinct advantage. Boyd is capable but at the end of the day he’s just warming the seat for Metcalf. CHT is more of a hooker than a five eighth and CNK is an honest wholehearted toiler but is unlikely to appear on the Roosters’ tip sheets. Egan is technically a very good dummy half and gives the Warriors a slight advantage there , although the Roosters’ young hooker looks very promising and is quite capable of a 40/20 out of dummy half.

If the Roosters’ forwards aim up it’s the Roosters by 10

Doubles to Toupou and Alphabet Soup.

A meat pie to Billy Smith

Check to see if Angus has packed his cucumber sandwiches and a bottle of Pimm’s for his half time snack. A “re-union” with Rugby Joe next year beckons.

 

[Fangs]

Not sure about the Warriors. Halves look crap.

Real question is which Roosters team will show up? They should cover the Warriors here even away from home.

Cody Ramsay wearing 18 for the Roosters tonight. He hasn't played a game of first grade since 2022. If he takes the field tonight it will be an amazing comeback. Bloke is only 26 years old so still has time.

 

[Leber]

How do we have loads of big guns injured before the season even starts? Crazy.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Toia's injury was picked up playing in the 2025 Pacific Championship. He didn't play a minute in any trial.

 

[Dragon Slayer]

Both teams hampered in the halves.

Warriors without their gun half Luke Metcalf.

Roosters playing DCE.

 

[This Year?]

Too early in the season for mention of gears?

 

[League Unlimited News]

 

[Diesel]

AFL using up their contra on NEL pregame coverage

 

[Diesel]

Wahs by 4

 

[Wb1234]

Roosters are prem smokies big test for warriors

 

[Wb1234]

Six to go surely

 

[JokerEel]

Soo bunker has a clue today

 

[mave]

Blocka sure does love him a bit of jungle ball.