There's an old adage in Rugby League – Father Time remains undefeated.

But in 2026, F. Time may face his toughest test yet when the game's eldest Fullback-Halfback combination unite in the famous Tricolours of the Roosters.

Written off some seasons ago, the ever-reliable Tedesco gave us another reminder of his standing as one of the game's greatest-ever No.1s, last season.

'Teddy' claimed the second Dally M Medal of his career – some seven seasons after winning his first best-and-fairest award.

Recently rewarded with a two-year contract extension – a deal which means the 33-year-old is likely to see out his career in Moore Park – Tedesco will again be the focal point of the Roosters' attack in 2026.

He'll do it alongside veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, 37, who swaps Brookvale for Bondi – arriving at Allianz Stadium for a new challenge in the closing stages of his career.

PREDICTED RD 1 LINE-UP

1. James Tedesco (C)
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Sam Walker
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Lindsay Collins
9. Reece Robson
10. Spencer Leniu
11. Angus Crichton
12. Siua Wong
13. Naufahu Whyte
14. Connor Watson
15. Egan Butcher
16. Salesi Foketi
17. Blake Steep
18. Benaiah Ioelu

*Victor Radley remains suspended.

THE FIXTURES

The Roosters head further East to tackle the Warriors in Auckland to start their campaign. They return home for bouts against cross-town rivals, South Sydney, and competition heavyweights the Panthers in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively.

Cherry-Evans returns to Brookvale in Round 4 for what will be a blockbuster clash, before a Round 5 Bye.

The side's other Byes come in Rounds 12 and 18 – both Major Bye Rounds – making them hardly an attractive option come Origin time.

On the other side of the representative window, Roosters assets will be very popular – they play every game unbroken from Rounds 19-27, including SuperCoach Finals weeks 3 and 4 (Round 25 and 26) against the Wests Tigers and Dolphins.

The second of two derby matches against the Rabbitohs (Round 27) will have the Roosters battle-hardened come the start of the NRL Finals.

SIMPLY THEIR BEST

James Tedesco ($869.1K)

On the back of a phenomenal 2025 season, Tedesco starts the year as the most-expensive SuperCoach asset.

Averaged a tick under 90 and shows no signs of slowing down.

In any other year, would just-about be the first player picked in everyone's SuperCoach sides – but given cut-price options, like Keano Kini ($495K) – it may be hard to stump up the cash for Tedesco, from Round 1.

Mark Nawaqanitawase ($735.2K)

Who knew Marky Mark was that good? The Wallaby-turned-Rooster took the League world by storm with some of the most outrageous plays we've ever seen.

Proved a handy SuperCoach asset, too.

Nawaqanitawase's form was that impressive the NRL was forced to re-write the rules to avoid awarding him the Rookie of the Year!

Is the third-most expensive CTW option behind only Herbie Farnworth and Jacob Kiraz.

Looks every bit likely to replicate his efforts on the end of a star-studded Roosters backline.

Throw in the astute cross-field kicking game of Cherry-Evans, 'Mark' looks set to leave us with more highlights before returning to the 15-man game at the season's end.

IT'S A BIG YEAR FOR...

Sam Walker ($683.3k)

Moves from halfback to five-eighth to accommodate the arrival of Cherry-Evans.

A natural, run-first player, Walker looks likely to be freed up with less responsibility of steering the team.

Has only played 17 games at No.6 compared to the 74 of his career at Halfback, so there's naturally some question marks about how he will handle the role of playing second-fiddle.

With Hugo Savala in the Roosters ranks, 2026 shapes as a defining year in Walker's career – perhaps the season that finally sees the prodigious talent unlock his full potential.

Walker will retain the goal-kicking in a side that looks likely to score plenty of points, and so will again be a popular SuperCoach asset.

CRYSTAL BALL

The Roosters' jersey says it all – "We play for premierships" – and Trent Robinson's side will be disappointed if they're out of the trophy reckoning this season.

Have had their hands forced into blooding talents earlier than they would've liked to in recent seasons – think Hugo Savala, Blake Steep, Salesi Foketi, amongst others.

Their young crop will be bolstered by the inclusion of experience of DCE and Reece Robson.

Prediction: Top 4 and a Preliminary Final berth.

LAST SEASON

• Regular season: 8th ( 32 Points, 132 +/-) 8th, P24 W13 L11
• Finals: Lost FW1 Elimination Final v Sharks (20-10)

2026 SQUAD CHANGES (INS & OUTS)

Ins

• Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles, 2026)
• Cody Ramsey (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2027)
• Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys, 2029)
• Tommy Talau (Manly Sea Eagles, 2026)

Outs

• Zach Dockar-Clay (Manly Sea Eagles)
• Ethan King (North Queensland Cowboys)
• Ethan Roberts (Wests Tigers)
• Brandon Smith (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Sandon Smith (Newcastle Knights)
• Chad Townsend (retired)
• Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights)

Off Contract

• Daly Cherry-Evans
• Angus Crichton
• Mark Nawaqanitawase
• Tommy Talau
• Daniel Tupou
• Siua Wong

*All details contract correct at the time of writing, via Zero Tackle.