Roosters recruit Daly Cherry-Evans set to face Manly for first time in early-season grudge match
Daly Cherry-Evans won’t have to wait long to face his former club next season, with the Sydney Roosters slated to take on Manly in round four.
After spending 15 years in the top grade with the club, the halfback went through a well-documented split from the Sea Eagles that dragged on for much of this year.
The 36-year-old has since put pen to paper on a contract with the Tricolours and the NRL revealed on Wednesday morning the grudge match between the two sides.
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Daly Cherry-Evans Getty
Cherry-Evans will line up for the Roosters against Manly on Thursday, March 26 at Brookvale Oval in what is sure to be one of the most anticipated games of the year.
On top of that round four clash, the NRL have also announced the draw for the first round of the 2026 season, as well as the full State of Origin schedule.
After the first two games in Las Vegas on March 1 (AEST) were unveiled months ago, some tantalising fixtures will headline the first full weekend of the campaign.
Jonah Pezet will make his Eels debut against the Storm on the Thursday night, befoe premiers Brisbane take on the Panthers on the Friday night.
As for the men’s Origin series, the first game is slated for May 27 at Accor Stadium, with the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground to host game two on June 17 and Suncorp Stadium to hold the possible decider on Wednesday, July 8.
The women’s series will begin on April 30 and conclude on May 28.
NRL Las Vegas 2026 schedule
Sunday, March 1 (AEDT)
- Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys, Allegiant Stadium
- St George Illawarra vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Allegiant Stadium
NRL round one 2026 schedule
Jonah Pezet Getty
Thursday, March 5
- Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels, AAMI Park
Friday, March 6
- New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters, Go Media Stadium
- Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers, Suncorp Stadium
Saturday, March 7
- Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans, Shark Park
- Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders, Brookvale Oval
Sunday, March 8
- Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Suncorp Stadium
State of Origin 2026 schedule
Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden Getty
Men’s series:
- Wednesday, May 27 – Accor Stadium
- Wednesday, June 17 – Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Wednesday, July 8 – Suncorp Stadium
Women’s series
- Thursday, April 30 – McDonald Jones Stadium
- Thursday, May 14 – Suncorp Stadium
- Thursday, May 28 – Cbus Super Stadium
Under 19s
- Thursday, June 18 – North Sydney Oval
