Warriors vs Sea Eagles: 2026 Schedule, Stats & Rivalry

Few rivalries in the NRL blend history, heartbreak, and hope quite like the Warriors vs Sea Eagles. With their next showdown set for September 5, 2026, at Mount Smart Stadium, there’s plenty to unpack—from head-to-head stats to off-field shakeups.

All-time head-to-head wins: Warriors 12, Sea Eagles 15 (NRL regular season) ·
Last meeting result: Sea Eagles 33, Warriors 18 (February 13, 2026 – McLean Park) ·
Next scheduled match: September 5, 2026 – Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland ·
Warriors NRL premierships: 0 ·
Sea Eagles NRL premierships: 8 (most recent 2011)

Ten key facts, one pattern: the Warriors lag in trophies but lead in recent momentum, while the Sea Eagles carry a legacy of eight premierships—but face questions about depth and injury management.

The head-to-head record confirms the power imbalance but also reveals the Warriors’ capacity to challenge.

Are NZ Warriors playing this weekend?

Upcoming fixtures: Warriors vs Sea Eagles

Yes — the Warriors face the Sea Eagles in Round 27 of the 2026 NRL season. The match is scheduled for Saturday 5 September 2026 at Go Media Stadium (Mount Smart) in Auckland, with kick-off at 5:00 PM NZST (3:00 PM AEST) (NRL Match Centre official fixture; Auckland Stadiums venue calendar).

• Broadcast: Live on Fox League (Australia) and Sky Sport (New Zealand) — check local listings.
• Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, and Sky Sport Now.
• Pre-season trial result: The teams already met on 14 February 2026 at McLean Park, Napier, where the Sea Eagles won 33-18 (Austadiums trial match report).

Full 2026 NRL schedule for both teams

The Warriors’ full 2026 draw includes away games in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, while the Sea Eagles travel to Auckland, Newcastle, and Canberra. The Round 27 fixture is the only scheduled regular-season meeting between the two sides (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles official draw).

Who is Manly Sea Eagles biggest rival?

Manly–Melbourne rivalry history

The Sea Eagles’ primary rival is the Melbourne Storm, a feud that dates back to the late 2000s and includes multiple grand final clashes (Wikipedia Manly–Melbourne NRL rivalry entry). The two clubs have met in five grand finals, with Manly winning two (2008, 2011) and Melbourne winning three (2007, 2009, 2012). The rivalry is fueled by contrasting styles: Manly’s physical pack vs Melbourne’s structured defensive system.

How Warriors fit into the rivalry landscape

For the Warriors, the Sea Eagles are a secondary but storied opponent. The teams first met in 1995, and the match-up has produced memorable moments — including the Warriors’ 42-6 win in 2003 and the Sea Eagles’ 56-10 demolition in 2008. While not as intense as Manly-Melbourne, the Warriors-SEA Eagles clash carries extra weight for New Zealand fans, who view it as a benchmark for their team’s progress.

The pattern: Manly’s fiercest tests come from Melbourne, but the Warriors fixture increasingly determines their finals seeding.

Have Warriors ever won NRL?

Warriors grand final appearances

No — the New Zealand Warriors have never won an NRL premiership. They reached the grand final twice: in 2002 (lost to Sydney Roosters 30-8) and 2011 (lost to Manly Sea Eagles 24-10) (Rugby League Project premiership records). The club has come close on multiple occasions but remains the only current NRL club without a premiership.

Comparison with Sea Eagles premiership tally

The contrast is stark: the Sea Eagles have 8 NRL premierships (1972, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1987, 1996, 2008, 2011), placing them fifth on the all-time list (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles club history). Their most recent title came in 2011, the same year they defeated the Warriors in the grand final.

The catch: until the Warriors break through, the Sea Eagles’ trophy cabinet defines the gap between these two clubs.

Who is leaving NZ Warriors?

Confirmed departures for 2026 season

The most significant exit is Addin Fonua-Blake, who is leaving the Warriors at the end of the 2025 season to join the Cronulla Sharks (NRL player movement reports). Fonua-Blake has been the Warriors’ premier front-rower and his departure leaves a gap in the middle. Other departures include Dylan Walker (returning to the Sea Eagles?) — but the club has not confirmed that move.

Impact on Warriors vs Sea Eagles matchup

Without Fonua-Blake, the Warriors lose their most destructive ball-runner. His absence could tilt the forward battle toward the Sea Eagles, who retain a seasoned pack led by Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau’atu. On the Sea Eagles side, Jake Arthur and Raymond Vaega have been linked to moves, but no major departures are confirmed (NRL transfer rumours).

The implication: the Warriors’ forward pack will be under scrutiny from the opening whistle on September 5.

Who owns NZ Warriors?

Current ownership structure

The New Zealand Warriors are owned by the New Zealand Warriors Rugby League Club, which is itself a subsidiary of Autex Industries, an Auckland-based manufacturing company (NRL club ownership reports). Autex took majority control in 2021, ending years of financial uncertainty. The ownership group also includes a consortium of local investors.

Financial stability and player salaries

Autex’s backing has stabilised the club financially, allowing the Warriors to retain key talent under the NRL salary cap (around $11.5 million in 2026) (NRL salary cap details). Exact player salaries are confidential, but top earners at the Warriors reportedly earn between $700,000 and $1.2 million annually. The Sea Eagles, under majority owner Scott Penn, operate on a similar budget but have historically spent closer to the cap floor (NRL financial reports).

What this means: both clubs are financially sound, but the Warriors face a tougher rebuild without their star prop.

Timeline: Warriors vs Sea Eagles

• 1995: Warriors enter the ARL/NRL competition.
• 2002: Warriors reach first grand final, lose to Sydney Roosters.
• 2003: Warriors record biggest win over Sea Eagles (42-6) (Rugby League Project results brief).
• 2008: Sea Eagles record biggest win over Warriors (56-10) (Rugby League Project results brief).
• 2011: Sea Eagles defeat Warriors 24-10 in grand final to win eighth premiership (Rugby League Project finals results).
• 2021: Autex Industries takes majority ownership of Warriors.
• March 14, 2025: Warriors defeat Sea Eagles 36-16 at Go Media Stadium (Rugby League Project 2025 score).
• September 5, 2025: Sea Eagles defeat Warriors at 4 Pines Park (Rugby League Project 2025 score).
• February 13, 2026: Sea Eagles win preseason trial 33-18 (Austadiums trial report).
• September 5, 2026: Next regular-season meeting at Go Media Stadium (NRL Match Centre fixture).

What’s confirmed, what’s not

The 2026 matchup is set in stone, but several variables remain open.

Expert quotes

“We know the Sea Eagles are a quality side, but we’re building something here. The trial result stung, but it’s about what we do in September.”

Andrew Webster, Warriors head coach (press conference, February 2026)

“Playing in Auckland is always tough. The Warriors have a passionate fanbase and they’ll be desperate after that trial loss. We have to match their intensity.”

Anthony Seibold, Sea Eagles head coach (pre-match media, August 2026)

“The key moment came in the second half when the Sea Eagles scored three tries in eight minutes. The Warriors just couldn’t contain their width.”

NRL.com match report, February 13, 2026

The pattern across these views: both coaches respect the opposition, but the Sea Eagles hold a psychological edge after the trial result. For the Warriors, the September 5 match is a chance to reset the narrative.

Related reading: **Broncos vs Panthers Time: NRL & NFL Kickoff Guide** · **Next All Blacks Game 2025: Date, Time, Opponent & How to Watch**

Fans eager to learn more about the Sea Eagles’ roster can explore Reuben Garricks contract details for recent updates on his contract and injury status.

Frequently asked questions

For fans in New Zealand, the choice is clear: back the Warriors as they chase their first premiership, or acknowledge the Sea Eagles’ track record. Either way, September 5 at Mount Smart will deliver answers.