HMC Team List: End of the road for 2026 campaign

It’s the last ride of the season for the One New Zealand Warriors when they meet the Illawarra Steelers in their round nine Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) clash at Collegians Sporting Complex in Wollongong today (12.30pm kick-off NZT).

For the first time since entering the competition in 2024, the Warriors won’t be playing finals football after being left to reflect on a number of close matches they were unable to convert into victories.

After winning the premiership in both 2024 and 2025, the team has battled winning just one game heading into today’s season finale.

Their margins of defeat have been six points, 12 points, 10 points, two points, 16 points and 10 points.

They close out the campaign with a stern challenge against a Steelers side which sits third on the ladder with just one loss out of seven.