The 2026 NRL season is underway after the first two games were completed under the bright lights of Las Vegas. Now the rest of the competition has an opportunity to put two early points on the board.
The action starts with a Thursday night clash between the Storm and Eels made all the more spicey by their fight over Zac Lomax. Then on Friday we have the blockbuster battle between the Panthers and Broncos in Brisbane. Which teams will hit the turf running?
Good luck with your tips.
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Sunday, March 1
Allegiant Stadium, 1:15pm (AEST)
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Tyson Frizell Bench: 14. Sandon Smith 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Pasami Saulo Reserves: 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Francis Manuleleua 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Cody Hopwood 22. James Schiller
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Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Reuben Cotter Bench: 14. Soni Luke 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Kai O’Donnell Reserves: 18. Griffin Neame 19. John Bateman 20. Liam Sutton 21. Matthew Lodge 22. Robert Derby
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein Touchies: Dave Munro, Belinda Sharpe Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: The Knights are set to showcase new signing Dylan Brown at halfback under new coach Justin Holbrook. After collecting the wooden spoon last season, the only way is up for Newcastle. The Cowboys won both their preseason clashes against second string Bulldogs and Panthers sides. They start the new season with a new hooker in Reed Mahoney and his performances will go a long way towards determining whether they have an improved year. They are favoured to win this, but I think we might see a reinvigorated Knights team, starting with a win in Vegas.
Tip: Knights by 10
PointsBet odds: Knights $2.55 (+5.5 $1.88) Cowboys $1.50 (-5.5 $1.88)
Daly Cherry-Evans of the Roosters. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Allegiant Stadium, 3:30pm (AEDT)
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran Reserves: 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jake Turpin 21. Enari Tuala 22. Jonathan Sua 23. Alekolasimi Jones
Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart Bench: 14. Hame Sele 15. Josh Kerr 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Ryan Couchman Reserves: 18. Lyhkan King-Togia 19. David Fale 20. Jacob Halangahu 21. Mathew Feagai 22. Tyrell Sloan
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins Touchies: Matt Noyen, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski Bunker: Adam Gee
Prediction: A second-string Bulldogs side lost their first trial against the Cowboys, before crushing the Knights with their stars playing the first 40 minutes. Matt Burton put a scare through the club with a hamstring twinge. The Dragons lost both their trial games, the second alarmingly with a full-strength side against the second-string Rabbitohs. On paper and on last year’s performances, this should be an easy victory for the Bulldogs, but you shouldn’t underestimate the Las Vegas factor. The Bulldogs will have to be switched on and not take the Dragons lightly or they could return from the U.S with red faces.
Tip: Bulldogs by 22
PointsBet odds: Bulldogs $1.40 (-7.5 $1.88) Dragons $2.90 (+7.5 $1.88)
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Thursday, March 5
AAMI Park, 8pm (AEDT)
Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Moses Leo 5. Nick Meaney 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Alec MacDonald Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Cooper Clarke 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Davvy Moale Reserves: 18. Preston Conn 19. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 20. Lazarus Vaalepu 21. Angus Hinchey 22. Trent Toelau
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Brian Kelly 5. Sean Russell 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Tallyn Da Silva Reserves: 18. Kelma Tuilagi 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Jordan Samrani 21. Charlie Guymer 22. Teancum Brown
Officials
Referee: Touchies: Bunker:
Prediction: The Storm have simply never lost a first round game in all the years Craig Bellamy has been head coach. Surely that means their first defeat is closer than ever? The Eels looked really sharp during the trials, whatever that is worth, and will rely heavily on their new and temporary halves combination of Mitchell Moses and Jonah Pezet. The Storm start their post-Ryan Papenhuyzen era, but have been fine recently during his frequent injury breaks. The Eels will certainly put up a fight, but the golden rule of NRL tipping is don’t tip against the Storm, especially in Round 1.
Tip: Storm by 8
PointsBet odds: Storm $1.47 (-6.5 $1.95) Eels $2.60 (+6.5 $1.80)
Friday, March 6
Go Media Stadium, 6pm (AEDT)
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark Bench: 14. Samuel Healey 15. Demitric Vaimauga 16. Leka Halasima 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Morgan Gannon 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 22. Luke Hanson 23. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Blake Steep Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Siua Wong 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu Reserves:18. Cody Ramsey 19. Fetalaiga Pauga 20. Salesi Foketi 21. Tommy Talau 22. Toby Rodwell
Officials
Referee: Touchies: Bunker:
Prediction: The Warriors start their 2026 season at home against the re-vamped Sydney Roosters. These two clubs have had some battles over the years and always provide a spectacle. The Roosters will have Daly Cherry-Evans steering the ship and it will be interesting to see whether he hits the ground running in the unfamiliar surrounds. The Warriors are still without their star half Luke Metcalf who is rehabilitating his ACL repair. This game could go either way, with the Roosters favourites, but the Warriors always fired up for an early upset at home.
Tip: Roosters by 10
PointsBet odds: Warriors $2.50 (+4.5 $1.83) Roosters $1.50 (-4.5 $1.95)
Suncorp Stadium, 8pm (AEDT)
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan Bench: 14. Ben Hunt 15. Xavier Willison 16. Ben Talty 17. Aublix Tawha Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Jesse Arthars 20. Blake Mozer 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Thomas Duffy
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Luron Patea 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Kalani Going Reserves: 18. Thomas Jenkins 19. Freddy Lussick 20. Billy Phillips 21. Jack Cole 22. Sione Fonua
Officials
Referee: Touchies: Bunker:
Prediction: The reigning premiers host the Panthers for what should be an incredible early taste of two teams destined to play finals football again this year. The Broncos suffered a recent set-back losing the World Club Championship after a long journey to England. They will need to shake that off, because the Panthers will be finely tuned and ready to be the first team to test their credentials against the champs. The Broncos will be tough to beat at home, but I think the Panthers might be ready to make a statement.
Tip: Panthers by 6
PointsBet odds: Broncos $1.70 (-2.5 $1.95) Panthers $2.10 (+2.5 $1.83)
Saturday, March 7
Ocean Protect Stadium, 5:30pm (AEDT)
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Jesse Colquhoun Bench: 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Chris Veaila 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Michael Gabrael 22. Niwhai Puru
Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Max Feagai 5. Phillip Sami 6. AJ Brimson 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall Bench: 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Tukimihia Simpkins 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai Reserves: 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Zane Harrison 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Jenson Taumoepeau 22. Josh Patston
Officials
Referee: Touchies: Bunker:
Prediction: The Sharks host the Titans with a pretty much unchanged squad from last season, when they finished one win away from the Grand Final. The Titans have had a bit of a clean-out as new coach Josh Hannay looks to stamp his authority on the perenially struggling Titans. The Titans proved last year that they are capable of the odd upset. If Hannay can squeeze some consistency out of them, they will trouble a few teams, but not the Sharks at home.
Tip: Sharks by 14
PointsBet odds: Sharks $1.35 (-8.5 $1.88) Titans $3.10 (+8.5 $1.88)
4 Pines Park, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Joey Walsh 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown Reserves: 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Corey Waddell 21. Blake Wilson 22. Paul Bryan
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies Reserves: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Jed Stuart 20. Matt Nicholson 21. Matthew Timoko 22. Owen Pattie
Officials
Referee: Touchies: Bunker:
Prediction: Manly start their post-DCE era at home up against last year’s ladder-topping Canberra Raiders. Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has kept most of his star players in cotton wool during the preseason challenge, so there are some concerns that they’ll be short of a run. The punters can’t split these two, and the Sea Eagles at home are usually a good bet, but they will take some time to get over the loss of Cherry-Evans.
Tip: Raiders by 8
PointsBet odds: Sea Eagles $1.90 (-0.5 $1.95) Raiders $1.90 (+0.5 $1.83)
Suncorp Stadium, 4:05pm (AEDT)
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles Bench: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Oryn Keeley 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Trai Fuller Reserves: 18. Sebastian Su’a 19. Brent Woolf 20. Lewis Symonds 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Brian Pouniu
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Euan Aitken 13. Cameron Murray Bench: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Lachlan Hubner 17. Sean Keppie Reserves: 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Moala Graham-Taufa 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
Officials
Referee: Touchies: Bunker:
Prediction: The Dolphins host the Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium in what promises to be an intriguing clash. Both sides have been recruiting and pruning their squads after being disappointed to miss the finals again last season. Wayne Bennett is set to turn the Rabbitohs around and would like nothing more than to beat the club he helped launch three years ago. It should be an exciting, open game, with the Dolphins perhaps more settled at this stage.
Tip: Dolphins by 10
PointsBet odds: Dolphins $1.77 (-1.5 $1.88) Rabbitohs $2.05 (+1.5 $1.88)
BYE: Tigers
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.
