Junior reps: Double defeat for Warriors against Manly
The Warriors' Harold Matthews and SG Ball sides both went down to the Sea Eagles in their season openers on Sunday.
The Warriors’ Harold Matthews Cup (under-17s) and SG Ball Cup (under-19s) teams both kicked off their 2026 NSWRL junior rep campaign with a loss on Sunday, going down to their Manly Sea Eagles counterparts at Bruce Pulman Park.
The two-time defending champs in the Harold Matthews Cup, the Warriors fielded 12 newcomers and were edged out 24-18 in a seesawing encounter.
A dazzling 50-metre solo try from hooker Kayce Perese-Sukroo put the Warriors on the board first in the ninth minute, but the Sea Eagles posted three unanswered tries to build a 16-6 lead.
Interchange duo Hemiata Togia and Agelu Malaesilia crossed either side of halftime to briefly reclaim the advantage for the Albert Vete-coached hosts, before Manly winger Zac Gedz’s try gave his side a lead they would not relinquish.
The Warriors’ SG Ball outfit was overwhelmed 28-14 by the Sea Eagles, who powered to a 20-point lead before the home team finished strongly.
Interchange Tyson Hansen belatedly scored the Warriors’ first try just after halftime, while second-rowers Bishop Neal - the barnstorming Canterbury product who was player of the match in the 2025 Harold Matthews Cup grand final - and Militonimolela Sikuvea dotted down when a win was all but out of reach.
Both Warriors teams face South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bruce Pulman Park next Sunday in Round 2.
2026 HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP ROUND 1 - Manly Sea Eagles 24 defeated Warriors 18 (Kayce Perese-Sukroo, Hemiata Togia, Agelu Malaesilia tries; Keanu Simpson 3 goals) at Bruce Pulman Park, Auckland
2026 SG BALL CUP ROUND 1 - Manly Sea Eagles 28 defeated Warriors 14 (Tyson Hansen, Bishop Neal, Militonimolela Sikuvea tries; Connor Bowden goal) at Bruce Pulman Park, Auckland.