The 2026 NRL season is less than a month away, with Round 1 officially beginning on Saturday, February 28 in Las Vegas.
In preparation for the new season, here at the Huddle, we’re running the rule over all 17 teams as we look to separate the contenders from the pretenders.
We’ll analyse squad depth, each side’s draw, where the odds have them painted in the premiership picture and more, before offering up a predicted finish for each club.
The star-studded Sydney Roosters are being slid under the microscope here, as we see if their big-name recruits can lead them back to premiership glory. This is our Sydney Roosters 2026 season preview.
Sydney Roosters Players 2026
The Sydney Roosters have made significant moves in the off-season, adding two marquee players to an already talented squad.
Their key signings are former Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and New South Wales hooker Reece Robson from the Cowboys.
These additions are expected to bolster a team that finished eighth in 2025 in what was considered a rebuilding year.
The full Roosters squad for the upcoming NRL season is as follows:
Angus Crichton, Benaiah Ioelu, Billy Smith, Blake Steep, Cody Ramsey, Connor Watson, Daly Cherry-Evans, Daniel Tupou, De La Salle Va’a, Egan Butcher, Jake Elliott, James Tedesco, Junior Pauga, Lindsay Collins, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Nat Butcher, Naufau Whyte, Reece Robson, Robert Toia, Sam Walker, Salesi Foketi, Siua Wong, Spencer Leniu, Taylor Losalu, Toby Rodwell, Victor Radley, Xavier Va’a.
Sydney Roosters Main Man
James Tedesco
Fullback, captain, and reigning Dally M Medallist. James Tedesco is coming off arguably the best season of his illustrious career in 2025 and remains the driving force for the Roosters.
His leadership and on-field brilliance were pivotal in guiding a developing Roosters side to a finals appearance last year.
At 33, Tedesco continues to perform at an elite level, consistently proving to be one of the most dangerous attacking players in the game.
With the arrival of veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans and hooker Reece Robson, Tedesco's role becomes even more crucial. He will be the lynchpin that connects the new-look spine, providing stability and creating opportunities for the talent around him.
If the Roosters are to transform from a top eight side into genuine premiership contenders, Tedesco’s form will be paramount.
Sydney Roosters Draw Difficulty Rating
The Roosters' schedule will test their new combinations early and often. A notable fixture on the calendar is their Round 4 clash against Manly at 4 Pines Park, which will see Daly Cherry-Evans face his former club for the first time.
The addition of Cherry-Evans and Robson brings high expectations, and navigating the opening rounds successfully will be crucial for building the chemistry needed to challenge for the title. The pressure will be on from the start.
Difficulty rating: Medium.
Sydney Roosters Season Prediction 2026
On paper, the Roosters have assembled one of the most formidable squads in the NRL. The combination of Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker in the halves, served by NSW hooker Reece Robson, is an especially exciting prospect.
They will play behind a huge forward pack featuring Spencer Leniu, Lindsay Collins, and Victor Radley, while the backline possesses speed and try-scoring ability with Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, and Mark Nawaqanitawase.
The pressure to win their first premiership since 2019 will be immense.
Anything less than a deep finals run would be seen as a disappointment for this talent-laden team.
Predicted finish: 4th.
Sydney Roosters Predicted Round 1 Team
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Rob Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Sam Walker
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Spencer Leniu
9. Reece Robson
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Victor Radley
13. Naufahu Whyte
14. Connor Watson
15. Nat Butcher
16. Egan Butcher
17. Siua Wong