Hosting one of the title favourites the Sydney Roosters will provide a searching examination for the One New Zealand Warriors when they kick off their 2026 NRL season at a sold-out Go Media Stadium tonight (8.00pm kick-off).
It's the third time in four years that the Warriors have had a round one match on New Zealand soil, this time facing a Roosters side ranked just behind the Broncos and Panthers among the favoured sides to win the premiership.
The match launches Daly Cherry-Evans' Roosters era in front of the raucous Go Media Stadium faithful but the visitors have the knowledge of knowing they have beaten the Warriors in eight of their last nine encounters.
The lone defeat came in Auckland in round three last year when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ran for an outrageous 316 metres and Ali Leiataua bagged a double as Andrew Webster's men found their mojo.
By season's end their record in front of their home crowd at Go Media Stadium stood at 5-6, a disappointing return for a side that enjoys sold-out crowds and passionate support every time they play at home.
The fans will be out in force again tonight to lift Andrew Webster's players as they seek to improve on last year's trip to week one of the finals.
With Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker calling the shots and James Tedesco chiming in from the back, the Roosters will be desperate to avoid another sluggish start after going 1-4 through the first five rounds last year and 2-3 the year before.
Match: Warriors v Roosters
Round 1 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Roosters
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) and standoff Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) will take their place in the opener but Mitchell Barnett (knee) and Marata Niukore (calf) remain sidelined. Tanah Boyd gets the job at halfback with Luke Metcalf recovering from an ACL injury. After helping the Warriors to NSW Cup grand final glory, Ali Leiataua plays his first NRL game since round 12 last year with Adam Pompey the other centre. James Fisher-Harris leads a powerhouse pack that includes Erin Clark, Jackson Ford and Jacob Laban in starting roles and Leka Halasima, Demitric Vaimauga and Tanner Stowers-Smith on the bench. Englishman Morgan Gannon is part of the six-man bench as he chases an NRL debut. In the 24-hour update, halfback Luke Hanson and second rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava were the two players omitted.
Roosters: Maroons and Tonga representative Rob Toia has been omitted in the 24-hour team update, delaying his return from a foot injury. Junior Pauga comes into the centres in his place. Toby Rodwell has also been added to the six-player bench. Earlier in the week, Sam Walker was named to wear the No 7 and Daly Cherry-Evans the No 6 in a star-studded backline. With star recruit Reece Robson (thumb) sidelined until round seven, Benaiah Ioelu has been named to start at hooker with Connor Watson in the No 14 jersey. Former Dragon Cody Ramsey is part of the six-man interchange bench as he chases his first NRL appearance since round 25, 2022.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Roosters is number 19 Fetalaiga Pauga
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-Evans
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Roosters is number 9 Benaiah Ioelu
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Roosters is number 13 Blake Steep
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam HealeyInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Siua Wong
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Leka HalasimaInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Taine TuaupikiInterchange for Roosters is number 18 Cody Ramsey
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Morgan GannonInterchange for Roosters is number 22 Toby Rodwell
Reserves
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Alofiana Khan-PereiraReserve for Roosters is number 20 Salesi Foketi
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won only one of their past four round one games.
- The Roosters have won eight of their last nine games against the Warriors.
- Warriors winger Alofiana Khan-Pereria (named on the extended bench) has scored six tries in his last four NRL appearances.
- James Tedesco requires one try for a century for the Roosters and 150 for his career.
- Winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will make his 149th appearance for the Warriors.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
