2026 New Zealand Warriors season

2026 New Zealand Warriors season
NRL Rank2nd
2026 recordWins: 2; draws: 0; losses: 0
Points scoredFor: 82; against: 24
Team information
CEOCameron George
Coach Andrew Webster
Captain
StadiumGo Media Stadium (Capacity: 25,000)
Hnry Stadium (Capacity: 34,500; round 8 only)
One New Zealand Stadium (Capacity: 30,000; round 16 only)
Avg. attendance23,590
Agg. attendance47,179
High attendance24,112 (vs. Sydney Roosters, Round 1)
Top scorers
TriesLeka Halasima (3)
GoalsTanah Boyd (12)
PointsTanah Boyd (32)
← 2025 List of seasons 2027 →

The 2026 New Zealand Warriors season is the 32nd season in the club's history. They are competing in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Andrew Webster is continuing as head coach for a fourth consecutive season. Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris are the co-captains for a second consecutive and final season.[1] In February 2026, Barnett announced he will leave the Warriors once the season concludes.[2][3]

The Warriors commenced their NRL season on 6 March against the Sydney Roosters at Go Media Stadium, Auckland.[4]

Squad

New Zealand Warriors 2026 squad
Top 30 squad - 2026 NRL season Supplementary list Coaching staff
  • Jett Cleary – HB
  • Luke Hanson – FE
  • Motu Pasikala – FB, WG
  • Caelys-Paul Putoko – CE
  • Jason Salalilo – PR
  • Makaia Tafua – HK

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 16 March 2026
Source(s): Warriors Football Department

Squad changes and contract extensions

Main article: 2026 NRL season § 2026 transfers

These movements happened across the previous season, off-season and preseason. Contract extensions occurred either during the preseason or the 2026 NRL season.

Transfers in

Player Previous club Length Ref.
Morgan Gannon Leeds Rhinos (Super League) 2028 [5]
Harry Inch Tasman / Crusaders (rugby union) 2027 [6]
Alofiana Khan-Pereira Gold Coast Titans 2028 [7][8]
Jye Linnane Newcastle Knights 2028 [9]
Braelan Marsh Redcliffe Dolphins (Queensland Cup) 2028 [10]
Haizyn Mellars South Sydney Rabbitohs 2028 [11]

Transfers out

Player New Club Ref.
Bunty Afoa Wests Tigers [12]
Tom Ale Penrith Panthers [13]
Morgan Harper Newtown Jets (NSW Cup) [14]
Edward Kosi South Sydney Rabbitohs [15]
Kalani Going Penrith Panthers [13]
Moala Graham-Taufa South Sydney Rabbitohs [16]
Freddy Lussick Penrith Panthers [13]

Contract extensions

Player Length Date announced Ref.
Luke Metcalf 2028 23 October 2025 [17]
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 2028 19 December 2025 [18]
Taine Tuaupiki 2028 27 February 2026 [19]

Pre-season

Main article: 2026 NRL Pre-season Challenge

The Warriors played against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in Napier and the Dolphins in Sydney as their pre-season fixtures. Both matches were part of the fourth edition of the NRL Pre-season Challenge.[20]

  Win   Draw   Loss

Round 2: 14 February New Zealand Warriors 18–33 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Napier
15:40 NZDT
 Tries:
Leiataua  4', 38'
Tauafiafi-Iutoi  71'
Tafua  75'

Goals:
Boyd  40' (1/2)
Norris (0/1)
Inch (0/1)
 Report
Tries:
Bryan  10'
Hart  30', 43'
Faulalo  34'
Wilson  58'
Muagututia  78'
Goals:
Wakeham  11', 32', 59', 79' (4/6)
Drop goals:
Walsh  80' (1/1)
 Stadium: McLean Park
Attendance: 13,575
Referee: Ashley Klein
Round 3: 20 February Dolphins 34–38 New Zealand Warriors Sydney
18:00 AEDT
 Tries:
Cobbo  9'
Schneider  19'
Fuller  42'
Isaako  46'
Naufahu  69'
Fineanganofo  72'
Pouniu  75'
Goals:
Isaako  20', 44' (2/4)
Schneider  70', 73', 76' (3/3)
Sin bin:
Molo 53' to 63'
 Report
Tries:
Ford  4'
Egan  24'
Watene-Zelezniak  36', 58'
Leiataua  54'
Ieremia-Toeava  60'
Goals:
Boyd  6', 26', 37', 55' (4/5)
Tuaupiki  62' (1/1)
Sin bin:
Ford 12' to 22'
 Stadium: Leichhardt Oval
Attendance: 6,073
Referee: Grant Atkins

Regular season

Main article: 2026 NRL season

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Melbourne Storm 2 2 0 0 0 98 24 +74 4 Advance to finals series
2 New Zealand Warriors 2 2 0 0 0 82 24 +58 4
3 Penrith Panthers 2 2 0 0 0 52 6 +46 4
4 Newcastle Knights 2 2 0 0 0 64 34 +30 4
5 Wests Tigers 1 1 0 0 1 44 16 +28 4
6 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1 1 0 0 1 15 14 +1 4
7 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2 1 0 1 0 56 36 +20 2
8 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2 1 0 1 0 58 56 +2 2
9 Dolphins 2 1 0 1 0 48 54 −6 2
10 Sydney Roosters 2 1 0 1 0 44 60 −16 2
11 Canberra Raiders 2 1 0 1 0 35 68 −33 2
12 Parramatta Eels 2 1 0 1 0 44 84 −40 2
13 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 2 0 0 2 0 44 65 −21 0
14 St. George Illawarra Dragons 2 0 0 2 0 34 61 −27 0
15 Brisbane Broncos 2 0 0 2 0 32 66 −34 0
16 North Queensland Cowboys 2 0 0 2 0 34 72 −38 0
17 Gold Coast Titans 2 0 0 2 0 24 68 −44 0
Updated to match(es) played on 15 March 2026. Source: National Rugby League

Results by round

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627
GroundHHAHAAHHA–AAA–HHA–AHAAHAAHH
ResultWW
Position42
Points24
Source: National Rugby League
A = Away; H = Home; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Main article: 2026 NRL season results

The league fixtures were released on 14 November 2025.[21]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

Round 1: 6 March New Zealand Warriors 42–18 Sydney Roosters Auckland
20:00 NZDT
 Tries:
Boyd  10'
Pompey  23'
Capewell  27'
Harris-Tavita  33', 75'
Halasima  46'
Nicoll-Klokstad  78'
Goals:
Boyd  12', 29', 35', 48', 59 pen.', 77', 78' (7/8)
 Report
Tries:
Tedesco  15'
Smith  50'
Crichton  55'
Goals:
Walker  16', 52', 56' (3/3)
 Stadium: Go Media Stadium
Attendance: 24,112
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Round 2: 13 March New Zealand Warriors 40–6 Canberra Raiders Auckland
20:00 NZDT
 Tries:
Watene-Zelezniak  13', 77'
Leiataua  41'
Halasima  48', 67'
Ford  62'
Boyd  74'
Goals:
Boyd  33 pen.', 43', 49', 64', 69' (5/7)
Tuivasa-Sheck  77' (1/1)
 Report
Tries:
Weekes  4'
Goals:
Sanders  6' (1/1)
 Stadium: Go Media Stadium
Attendance: 23,067
Referee: Peter Gough
Round 3: 21 March Newcastle Knights v New Zealand Warriors Newcastle
15:00 AEDT
 Report
Stadium: Newcastle International Sports Centre
Round 4: 27 March New Zealand Warriors v Wests Tigers Auckland
20:00 NZDT
 Report
Stadium: Go Media Stadium
Round 5: 5 April Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v New Zealand Warriors Cronulla
14:00 AEST
 Report
Stadium: Ocean Protect Stadium
Round 6: 11 April Melbourne Storm v New Zealand Warriors Melbourne
19:30 AEST
 Report
Stadium: AAMI Park
Round 7: 18 April New Zealand Warriors v Gold Coast Titans Auckland
17:00 NZST
 Report
Stadium: Go Media Stadium
Round 8: 25 April New Zealand Warriors v Dolphins Wellington
20:05 NZST
 Report
Stadium: Hnry Stadium
Round 9: 2 May Parramatta Eels v New Zealand Warriors Sydney
17:30 AEST
 Report
Stadium: CommBank Stadium
Round 10 (Bye for New Zealand Warriors)
Round 11: 17 May New Zealand Warriors v Brisbane Broncos Brisbane
16:05 AEST
 Report
Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Round 12: 23 May St. George Illawarra Dragons v New Zealand Warriors Sydney
17:30 AEST
 Report
Stadium: Jubilee Oval
Round 13: 31 May Penrith Panthers v New Zealand Warriors Sydney
18:15 AEST
 Report
Stadium: CommBank Stadium
Round 14 (Bye for New Zealand Warriors)
Round 15: 13 June New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Auckland
19:30 NZST
 Report
Stadium: Go Media Stadium
Round 16: 21 June New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys Christchurch
16:00 NZST
 Report
Stadium: One New Zealand Stadium
Round 17: 27 June Dolphins v New Zealand Warriors Brisbane
15:00 AEST
 Report
Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Round 18 (Bye for New Zealand Warriors)
Round 19: 10 July Wests Tigers v New Zealand Warriors Sydney
20:00 AEST
 Report
Stadium: Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Round 20: 18 July New Zealand Warriors v St. George Illawarra Dragons Auckland
19:30 NZST
 Report
Stadium: Go Media Stadium
Round 21: 25 July Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v New Zealand Warriors Sydney
17:30 AEST
 Report
Stadium: Accor Stadium
Round 22: 1 August Gold Coast Titans v New Zealand Warriors Gold Coast
15:00 AEST
 Report
Stadium: Cbus Super Stadium
Round 23: 7 August New Zealand Warriors v Penrith Panthers Auckland
20:00 NZST
 Report
Stadium: Go Media Stadium
Round 24: 15 August Brisbane Broncos v New Zealand Warriors Brisbane
19:30 AEST
 Report
Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Round 25: 22 August South Sydney Rabbitohs v New Zealand Warriors Sydney
17:30 AEST
 Report
Stadium: Accor Stadium
Round 26: 30 August New Zealand Warriors v Newcastle Knights Auckland
16:00 NZST
 Report
Stadium: Go Media Stadium
Round 27: 5 September New Zealand Warriors v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Auckland
17:00 NZST
 Report
Stadium: Go Media Stadium

Statistics

As of 13 March 2026.[22][23]

Appearances, tries, and points
Player Appearances Tries Goals Field goals Points
Tanah Boyd 2 2 12 0 32
Kurt Capewell 1 1 0 0 4
Erin Clark 2 0 0 0 0
Wayde Egan 2 0 0 0 0
James Fisher-Harris 2 0 0 0 0
Jackson Ford 2 1 0 0 4
Leka Halasima 2 3 0 0 12
Chanel Harris-Tavita 2 2 0 0 8
Sam Healey 2 0 0 0 0
Jacob Laban 2 0 0 0 0
Ali Leiataua 2 1 0 0 4
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2 1 0 0 4
Adam Pompey 2 1 0 0 4
Tanner Stowers-Smith 2 0 0 0 0
Taine Tuaupiki 1 0 0 0 0
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2 0 1 0 2
Demitric Vaimauga 2 0 0 0 0
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2 2 0 0 8
18 players used — 14 13 0 82

References

  1. ^ Becht, Richard (11 February 2025). "Co-captains appointed for 2025". warriors.kiwi. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  2. ^ Francis, Ben (24 February 2026). "Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett leaving at end of NRL season due to 'personal reasons'". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Warriors co-captain Mitchell Barnett to leave at end of 2026 season". RNZ. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Draw". National Rugby League. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Warriors sign Super League star". RNZ. 26 April 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  6. ^ "Warriors confirm signing of Crusaders prospect Harry Inch on two-year deal". Stuff. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Warriors sign speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira". RNZ. 14 October 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  8. ^ "'Damaging': Warriors sign try-scoring machine Alofiana Khan-Pereira on three-year deal". Stuff. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  9. ^ Becht, Richard (11 April 2025). "Newcastle half Linnane signed on three-year deal". New Zealand Warriors. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  10. ^ Becht, Richard (15 September 2025). "Another son of a former Warrior signs for three years". New Zealand Warriors. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  11. ^ Becht, Richard (21 August 2025). "Son of former Warrior secured for three years until 2028". New Zealand Warriors. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  12. ^ "NZ Warriors cult hero Bunty Afoa heads to NRL's Wests Tigers". RNZ. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  13. ^ a b c Goodwin, Sam (25 November 2025). "Panthers sign fifth player from NRL rivals as Broncos star reportedly seeks immediate release". Yahoo! Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  14. ^ Chalk, Ethan Lee (9 December 2025). "Morgan Harper returns to Australia, signs with new club after Warriors exit". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  15. ^ Becht, Richard (4 August 2025). "Kosi leaving One New Zealand Warriors at end of season". New Zealand Warriors. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  16. ^ "Rabbitohs sign Moala Graham-Taufa for Season 2026". South Sydney Rabbitohs. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  17. ^ "Warriors secure halfback Luke Metcalf on two-year extension through 2028 NRL season". RNZ. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  18. ^ Becht, Richard (19 December 2025). "Upgrade, extension as Ieremia-Toeava locked in until 2028". New Zealand Warriors. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  19. ^ Kermeen, Mat (27 February 2026). "Why the latest Warriors signing will create another selection headache at fullback". Stuff. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  20. ^ "2026 Draw Debrief: Witzer Pre-Season schedule revealed". National Rugby League. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  21. ^ Glover, Ben (14 November 2025). "Revealed: The full NRL and NRLW draws for 2026". Nine.com.au. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  22. ^ "NRL 2026 - Warriors". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  23. ^ "Stats - Players - Tackles". National Rugby League. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
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