NSW Cup Match Report: Tough start to 2026 season

An inexperienced One New Zealand Warriors side couldn’t match the Sydney Roosters slumping to a 14-48 loss in tonight’s round one New South Wales Cup encounter at Go Media Stadium.

After their title-winning deeds last year, the Warriors have gone into the 2026 season fielding a youthful squad with players promoted through the club’s pathways system.

And tonight the Roosters gave their younger opponents a difficult time, especially in the opening 40 minutes when they ran in six tries to lead 28-0 at halftime.

There was an improvement in the second half, the Warriors lifting their defence for a 14-20 scoreline as they scored three tries while conceding four.

After scoring first in the second 40 through winger Haizyn Mellars, the Warriors added a second through Mellars soon after before 19-year-old front rower Tepatasi Laumalili went over for a third try.

As well as Mellars, fellow new signing Alofiana Khan-Pereira had his first competition outing for the Warriors tonight.