New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters NRL Tips - Warriors to cover in Round 1 opener
The New Zealand Warriors will face the Sydney Roosters in the NRL season opener, with the Roosters having a poor history in Round 1 games. Despite a 4-4 ATS record against the Roosters, the Warriors have won only once since 2019. Key challenges for the Warriors include maintaining consistency, as they struggled after Luke Metcalf's injury last season. The Roosters, meanwhile, start the season with new halves pairings and have historically faltered in season openers. Key player Daniel Tupou is expected to be instrumental for the Roosters.
- Kick off is on Friday 6th March, at 6:00 PM (AEST) at Go Media Stadium
- Roosters historically struggle in Round 1
- Warriors have a 4-4 ATS record against Roosters since 2019
- New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters Preview
- Head to Head
- New Zealand Warriors Start Season Looking For Better
- Team News & Team List
- Sydney Roosters Begin With New Halves Pairings
- Team News & Team List
New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters Preview
Over the last seven years, Sydney Roosters have won just two Round 1 games and I'm taking them on in this opener. The Warriors can keep it close and cover the line at home in what is tipped to be a low scoring game.
- The Warriors have a 4-4 ATS record against Sydney since 2019 despite winning only 1 of those games.
- Round 1 games since 2019 have averaged just 36.6 pts per game.
- Since 2017, Daniel Tupou has scored in every other game against New Zealand, he did not score against them last game.
- The Warriors conceded 60% of opposition tries down their right edge last year, opposite Tupou.
Head to Head
New Zealand won the the only matchup between these teams last season 14-6 but Sydney had won 7 straight prior to that, dating back to the start of 2019.
The ATS record stands at 4-4 with 3 of those Warriors covers being as double digit underdogs. 5 of the last 8 games have gone Under the Game Total with those 5 also staying at 36 points or less.
New Zealand Warriors Start Season Looking For Better
The Warriors had an amazing start to 2025 winning 12 of their first 17 games before struggling to overcome injury to star playmaker Luke Metcalf.
They lost five of their last seven matches heading into finals and were beaten soundly by the Panthers in week 1.
At Go Media Stadium last year, the Warriors won their first three games but then went on to take just two victories from their final eight home games, including the losing final.
Similar to their opponents this week, New Zealand have not had consistency in season openers, with a 3-4 record over the last seven seasons.
Team News & Team List
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will start the year at fullback with Taine Tuaupiki the backup back on the 6 man bench.
New recruit Alofiana Khan-Pereira has not been able to crack a starting spot with incumbents DWZ and RTS retaining their wing spots.
Ali Leiataua is in the centres with Rocco Berry injured. Tanah Boyd continues at halfback with Luke Metcalf still a few weeks away.
Team List
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Ali Leiataua
4. Adam Pompey
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Tanah Boyd
8. James Fisher-Harris (c)
9. Wayde Egan
10. Jackson Ford
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Jacob Laban
13. Erin Clark
Interchange
14. Sam Healey
15. Demitric Vaimauga
16. Leka Halasima
17. Tanner Stowers-Smith
18. Taine Tuaupiki
19. Morgon Gannon
Sydney Roosters Begin With New Halves Pairings
The Roosters scraped into the top 8 last season and were bundled out in the first round by the Sharks.
Injuries, suspensions and roster changes were common place for the Chooks in 2025 and even though the majority of the top team is available for Round 1 there are two notable omissions in Reece Robson (injury) and Victor Radley (suspension).
They have been historically bad in their season openers recently, winning just two Round 1 games over the past seven seasons.
Team News & Team List
No real surprises for the Roosters with DCE and Sam Walker in the halves and Benaiah Ioelu at hooker for the injured Reece Robson.
Blake Steep starts at lock with Victor Radley out suspended to start the year. Cody Ramsay has snagged a spot on the 6 man bench after his swap to the Roosters.
Team List
1. James Tedesco (c)
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Daly Cherry-Evans
7. Sam Walker
8. Naufahu Whyte
9. Benaiah Ioelu
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Nat Butcher
13. Blake Steep
Interchange
14. Connor Watson
15. Siua Wong
16. Egan Butcher
17. Spencer Leniu
18. Cody Ramsay
19. Fetalaiga Pauga
Verdict
Warriors to cover the +5.5 as the home underdog, the Game Total to go Under 40.5 and Daniel Tupou for first and anytime try.
Warriors +5.5
Line
@9/10 - 2 Units
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Under 40.5
Game Total
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Daniel Tupou
Anytime Tryscorer
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Daniel Tupou
First Tryscorer
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