TWL Rd 1 Preview: Warriors set to ambush star-studded Roosters

The Warriors head into their season-opening assignment against the Roosters as juicy underdogs, with both clubs looking to turn around unflattering Round 1 records.

WARRIORS V SYDNEY ROOSTERS – 8.00PM (NZT)/6.00PM (AEDT) FRIDAY, MARCH 6 @ GO MEDIA MOUNT SMART STADIUM

The Storylines: The Warriors begin their quest for back-to-back finals appearances for the first time since 2010-11. The more ambitious among us may even rate Andrew Webster’s tight-knit squad an outside chance of snaring the club’s long-awaited first premiership.

But after their overachieving 2025 campaign fizzled out under the weight of injuries, an unavoidable question remains over whether the Warriors can jag enough early-season wins while halfback Luke Metcalf remains sidelined.

Decimated by off-season departures last season, Sydney Roosters rallied impressively to squeeze into the Top 8 and head into this year with an ultra-stable squad bolstered by the addition of champion Manly half Daly Cherry-Evans and Origin hooker Reece Robson (who is currently injured).

How out-and-out shot-callers DCE and Sam Walker meld in the halves shapes as the Roosters’ biggest unknown – which is a pretty sweet position to be in. It’s no surprise to see Trent Robinson’s touted alongside Brisbane, Penrith and Melbourne as the top premiership chances.