Pick Your Team Sydney City Roosters v NZ Warriors - [Round 1, 2026]

[NZWarriors.com]

Sydney City Roosters v NZ Warriors - [Round 1, 2026]
PICK YOUR TEAM
Friday 6th March 8:00pm NZDT
Go Media​

Here's your chance to select your dream team for the next rounds match so don your coaches cap on and lets hear it.

This thread will be closed without notice once the TEAM LIST thread opens for this game...

 

[tajhay]

Trials are over, so how do we see our team lining up for the first match?

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Roosters seem even more rusty than us. Getting them in rd 1 might be a good time to play them since they have a habit of warming into the year. Here's what I expect Webby to go with. The key unknown being Barney's availability. I'm also assuming CHT, RTS and Marata are all. good for rd 1 as reported:

1. CNK
2. DWZ
3. Ali
4. Pomps
5. RTS
6. CHT
7. TB
8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Barney/Ford (If Barney is not available)
11. Capes
12. Leka
13. Erin
14. Demi
15. TSS/Ford (If Barney is not available)
16. Niukore
17. Healey
18. Taine
19. EIT

 

[Damo]

Roosters seem even more rusty than us. Getting them in rd 1 might be a good time to play them since they have a habit of warming into the year. Here's what I expect Webby to go with. The key unknown being Barney's availability. I'm also assuming CHT, RTS and Marata are all. good for rd 1 as reported:

1. CNK
2. DWZ
3. Ali
4. Pomps
5. RTS
6. CHT
7. TB
8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Barney/Ford (If Barney is not available)
11. Capes
12. Leka
13. Erin
14. Demi
15. TSS/Ford (If Barney is not available)
16. Niukore
17. Healey
18. Taine
19. EIT

I think Laban will be either 11/12 or in the 19.

 

[Makasene]

Bracketed is if first choice is injured.


1. CNK
2. DWZ
3. Ali
4. Pompey
5. RTS / AKP
6. CHT / Hanson
7. Boyd
8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Barnett / Niukore / Ford
11. Laban
12. Capewell
13. Clark

14. Healey
15. Demetric
16. Ford
17. Halasima
18. TSS
19. TT

20. EIT
21. Gannon

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

The forwards are a logjam if Barnetts back and no injuries:

8 - JFH
10 - Barney
11 - Capewell
12 - Laban
13 - Erin

14 - Niukore
15 - Demi
16 - Ford
17 - Leka

18 - Healey
19 - Taine

I can see Webster going with a 4 forwards interchange bench, with 1 of the 4 interchanges held until late and Healey coming in only if Egan needs a rest.

Can’t find a place for TSS, Gannon or EIT unless injuries.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

I'd be very tempted to switch Ali and Pompey around. DWZ gets so much shit on this forum but at least in the last trial, I'd say a good deal of the jamming he did was because of Ali's bad reads in defense, some of which was clearly not NRL standard. Until Berry is back, we have to stick with Ali. So I'd rather stick him with the stronger defensive winger (RTS).

 

[borgy]

Not sure if Ford will be available, went on report for a hip drop.. Apart from that the team picked itself as most of us seem to agree on... injuries also still a big factor..

 

[BlackToko88]

Not sure if Ford will be available, went on report for a hip drop.. Apart from that the team picked itself as most of us seem to agree on... injuries also still a big factor..

Grade 1 so clear to play

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

1 C N Klokstad
2 D W Zelezniak
3 A Leiataua
4 A Pompey
5 R T Sheck
6 L Hanson
7 T Boyd
8 J F Harris c
9 W Egan
10 J Ford
11 K Capewell c
12 J Laban
13 E Ckark

14 S Healey
15 D Vaimauga
16 T S Smith
17 L Halasima
18 C H Tavita
19 M Niukore

 

[Playdaball]

1 C N Klokstad
2 D W Zelezniak
3 A Leiataua
4 A Pompey
5 R T Sheck
6 L Hanson
7 T Boyd
8 J F Harris c
9 W Egan
10 J Ford
11 K Capewell c
12 J Laban
13 E Ckark

14 S Healey
15 D Vaimauga
16 T S Smith
17 L Halasima
18 C H Tavita
19 M Niukore

I wouldn’t have Hanson in the NRL squad.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

1 CNK
2 DWZ
3 Ali
4 Pompey
5 AKP
6 CHT
7 Boyd
8 Vaimauga
9 Egan
10 Ford
11 JFH
12 Laban
13 Clark

14 Healey
15 Capewell
16 TSS
17 Halasima

 

[Noitall]

I wonder if a consideration is CNK at five eighth if CHT isn’t recovered? He’s played there for Warriors before and just played there in the all star game

 

[BabylonPink]

1.CNK
2.DWZ
3.ALI
4.WETS
5.RTS

6.CHT
7.BOYD

8.BARNETT
9.EGAN
10.FORD
11.LABAN
12.CAPEWELL
13.FISH

14.ERIN
15.NIUKORE
16.DEMI
17.LEKA
18.HEALEY
19.RANDOM OUTSIDE BACK/SPINECOVER?

 

[BabylonPink]

I wonder if a consideration is CNK at five eighth if CHT isn’t recovered? He’s played there for Warriors before and just played there in the all star game

Always a chance with TT at FB and GD at cup.

 

[Noitall]

Always a chance with TT at FB and GD at cup.

Injuries could force one way or another but I see CNK as the best person to accommodate until troops are healthy. Leiataua has his defensive issues, so CNK could play right centre and Tuaupiki fullback? Or if CHT isn’t healthy CNK could play 6, Leiataua right centre and Tuaupiki fullback? CNK did look really good at fullback though

 

[watcher]

My team
TT
DWZ
CNK
Pompey
RTS
CHT
TB
TSS
Egan
JFH
Leka
Laban
Erin

Demi
Barnett
Gannon
Healey

Hanson
EIT

Ali needs to shos more on D. CNK is the next best Centre imo. Gannon there as back civer if needed. He basically takes the role from the older, slower Capewell. If they select Capwell I have no issues. Barnett coming back from injury.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

I wouldn’t have Hanson in the NRL squad.

one more injury and he's in for me.

 

[borgy]

I think Boyd will go ok, last year he looked like a deer caught in the headlights... Seems more confident after preseason, actually the rest of the team does too, could see it in the trials... This time round we could win more games than lose until Mets and Barney return.
So rnd 1 be pretty happy with Webbys picks, CHT, Roger and Barney ( if picked) match fitness levels may be a concern...

 

[Playdaball]

I wonder if a consideration is CNK at five eighth if CHT isn’t recovered? He’s played there for Warriors before and just played there in the all star game

They didn’t give TT or CNK any time at 6 in the trial game against the Dolphins - would have been the ideal time to do it .
Does this mean that they’d be comfortable with Hanson at 6 or are they confident that CHT will
Be there for Round 1
Vs. Easts?