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The Warriors’ Jersey Flegg camapign concluded with a loss to Newcastle, but their undermanned NSW Cup combination’s draw with the Knights was enough to squeak into the finals.
The Warriors finished the 2026 Jersey Flegg Cup on a losing note, going down 32-10 to lower-placed Newcastle Knights at Trusts Stadium on Saturday.
The Knights powered to a 22-0 halftime lead in wet conditions and scored the first two tries of the second half.
The Warriors produced a couple of late highlights, however, with second-row starter Lucas Carmine powering 70 metres down the sideline for their opener.
Linwood Keas (Canterbury) hooker Rico Lemalie sniped over for the last try of the match from dummy-half.
The 9-12 Warriors finished the season in eighth spot — losing five of their last six games — but several players are expected to make the permanent leap to NSW Cup in 2027 after strong campaigns.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP — ROUND 26: Newcastle Knights 32 defeated Warriors 10 (Lucas Carmine, Rico Lemalie tries; Harry Inch goal) at Trusts Stadium, Auckland.
The Warriors secured the fifth and last spot in the 2026 NSW Cup finals series via a tense 10-all draw with Newcastle Knights at Go Media Stadium on Sunday.
A loss would have catapulted Sydney Roosters into the playoffs, but the Warriors held their nerve after a Knights equaliser with eight minutes to go.
For the second week in a row, the Warriors were without regular halves pairing Jett Cleary and Luke Hanson, who were required for NRL duty, as was valuable winger Luke Laulilii.
Promising halfback Jack Thompson opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a brilliant solo kick-and-chase effort.
The third-placed Knights responded through Siteni Taukamo for a 4-all halftime scoreline.
The Warriors hit the front again seven minutes into the second half after a great offload from departing veteran Marata Niukore and quick hands from hooker Makaia Tafua set up front-row tyro Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea to barge over next to the posts.
But a try to Newcastle five-eighth Mitch Henderson and a sideline conversion from Matt Hunter made for a nerve-shredding finish…though the Knights’ motivation to push for the victory was perhaps somewhat limited.
A draw wrapped up third spot for the Knights but a loss would have seen the Warriors leapfrog them on the ladder and force an Auckland elimination semi rematch. The rivals played out the closing minutes conservatively to gratefully receive an equal share of the spoils.
The Warriors now venture to Sydney on Saturday for a do-or-die finals showdown with fourth-placed Newtown Jets at Kogarah Oval on Saturday. The Warriors won both clashes between the clubs during the regular season — 26-24 at Henson Park and 30-22 at Go Media Stadium.
The availability of Cleary and Hanson could be a key factor, however, with the NRL team playing their Round 27 fixture on the same day in Auckland.
NSW CUP — ROUND 26: Warriors 10 (Jack Thompson, Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea tries; Maui Winitana-Patelesio goal) drew with Newcastle Knights 10 at Go Media Stadium, Auckland.