NRL round two: Predictions, teams, kick-off times and referee appointments
Melbourne Storm players celebrating a try v Parramatta Eels in 2026
After a split opening round, the NRL is back in full form this weekend with a bumper eight fixtures pencilled in across the next few days.
The headline fixture takes place at the Allianz Stadium, Sydney, as the Sydney Roosters come up against rivals South Sydney Rabbitohs in what will likely be a fiesty clash, but elsewhere heavy-hitters New Zealand Warriors take on Canberra Raiders and Penrith Panthers face Cronulla Sharks.
Reigning Premiers Brisbane Broncos will also be out to kickstart their campaign after a disappointing loss to the Panthers when they face the Parramatta Eels, while Melbourne Storm will also be looking to lay down another early marker of their title credentials against St George Illawarra Dragons.
Elsewhere, the Wests Tigers face North Queensland Cowboys, Manly Sea Eagles take on the Newcastle Knights and the Dolphins tackle the Gold Coast Titans.
Here is all the information you need ahead of the second round of the NRL.
Thursday
Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels
Prediction: Broncos by 18
Brisbane 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 Pat Carrigan
Interchanges: 14 Ben Hunt, 15 Xavier Willison, 16 Ben Talty, 17 Aublix Tawha, 18 Grant Anderson, 19 Jaiyden Hunt
Reserve: 20 Blake Mozer
Parramatta Eels: 1 Isiah Iongi, 2 Bailey Simonsson, 3 Sean Russell, 20 Jordan Samrani, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Jonah Pezet, 7 Mitch Moses, 8 Jack Williams, 9 Ryley Smith, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Kelma Tuilagi, 12 Kitione Kautoga, 13 Jack De Belin
Interchanges: 14 Dylan Walker, 15 Sam Tuivaiti, 16 Matt Doorey, 17 Tallyn Da Silva, 18 Charlie Guymer, 19 Joash Papalii
Reserve: 21 Brian Kelly
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Kick-off: 20:00 AEDT/22:00 NZST/09:00 GMT
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Friday
New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders
Prediction: Warriors by 4
New Zealand 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
Interchanges: 14 Sam Healey, 15 Demitric Vaimauga, 16 Leka Halasima, 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 18 Taine Tuaupiki, 20 Morgan Gannon
Reserves: 21 Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 22 Marata Niukore, 23 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Canberra Raiders: 1 Kaei Weekes, 2 Savelio Tamale, 3 Simi Sasagi, 4 Sebastian Kris, 5 Xavier Savage, 6 Ethan Strange, 7 Ethan Sanders, 8 Morgan Smithies, 9 Tom Starling, 10 Joseph Tapine, 11 Hudson Young, 12 Noah Martin, 13 Corey Horsburgh
Interchanges: 14 Jayden Brailey, 15 Zac Hosking, 16 Ata Mariota, 17 Matthew Timoko, 18 Daine Laurie, 19 Joe Roddy
Reserves: 20 Owen Pattie, 21 Jed Stuart, 22 Chevy Stewart
Venue: GoMedia Stadium
Kick-off: 18:00 AEDT/20:00 NZST/07:00 GMT
Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Prediction: Souths by 6
Sydney 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 White, 9 Benaiah Ioelu, 10 Lindsay Collins, 11 Angus Crichton, 12 Siua Wong, 13 Egan Butcher
Interchanges: 14 Connor Watson, 15 Blake Steep, 16 Nat Butcher, 17 Salesi Foketi, 18 Cody Ramsey, 19 Fetalaiga Pauga
Reserves: 20 Toby Rodwell, 21 Tom Rodwell, 22 Taylor Losalu
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1 Jye Gray, 2 Alex Johnston, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Jack Wighton, 5 Campbell Graham, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Jayden Sullivan, 8 Tevita Tatola, 9 Bronson Garlick, 10 Keaon Kolomatangi, 11 David Fifita, 12 Euan Aitken, 13 Cameron Murray
Interchanges: 14 Peter Mamouzelos, 15 Tallis Duncan, 16 Lachlan Hubner, 17 Sean Keppie, 18 Latrell Siegwalt, 19 Moala Graham-Taufa
Reserves: Liam Le Blanc, 21 Thomas Fletcher, 22 Salesi Ataata
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 20:00 AEDT/22:00 NZST/09:00 GMT
Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judges: Drew Oultram and Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Todd Smith
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Saturday
Wests Tigers v North Queensland Cowboys
Prediction: Wests by 12
Wests Tigers: 1 Jahream Bula, 2 Sunia Turuva, 3 Taylan May, 4 Heamasi Makasini, 5 Luke Laulilii, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Adam Doueihi, 8 Terrell May, 9 Apisai Koroisau, 10 Fonua Pole, 11 Samuela Fainu, 12 Kai Pearce-Paul, 13 Alex Twal
Interchanges: 14 Jock Madden, 15 Sione Fainu, 16 Royce Hunt, 17 Alex Seyfarth, 18 Tristan Hope, 19 Jeral Skelton
Reserves: 20 Mavrik Geyer, 21 Tony Sukkar, 22 Heath Mason
North Queensland Cowboys: 1 Scott Drinkwater, 2 Braidon Burns, 3 Jaxon Purdue, 4 Tom 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
Interchanges: 14 Soni Luke, 15 Kai O’Donnell, 16 Griffin Neame, 17 Matthew Lodge, 18 Liam Sutton, 19 Ethan King
Reserves: 20 Robert Derby, 21 Harrison Edwards, 22 Kaiden Lahrs
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
Kick-off: 15:00 AEDT/17:00 NZST/04:00 GMT
Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
St George Illawarra Dragons v Melbourne Storm
Prediction: Storm by 24
St George Illawarra Dragons: 1 Clint Gutherson, 2 Christian Tuipulotu, 3 Moses Suli, 4 Valentine Holmes, 5 Setu Tu, 6 Kyle Flanagan, 7 Daniel Atkinson, 8 Emre Gulver, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Toby Couchman, 11 Luciano Leilua, 12 Jaydn Su’A, 13 Hamish Stewart
Interchanges: 14 Hame Sele, 15 Josh Kerr, 16 Blake Lawrie, 17 Ryan Couchman, 18 Lyhkan King-Togia, 19 David Fale
Reserves: 20 Jacob Halangahu, 21 Mathew Feagai, 22 Tyrell Sloan
Melbourne Storm: 1 Sualauvi Faalogo, 2 Will 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 Tui Kamikamica
Interchanges: 14 Tyran Wishart, 15 Cooper Clarke, 16 Jack Hetherington, 17 Davvy Moale, 18 Preston Conn, 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
Reserves: 20 Angus Hinchey, 21 Shawn Blore, 22 Hugo Peel
Venue: WIN Stadium
Kick-off: 17:30 AEDT/19:30 NZST/06:30 GMT
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Penrith Panthers v Cronulla Sharks
Prediction: Panthers by 12
Penrith Panthers: 1 Dylan Edwards, 2 Thomas Jenkins, 3 Paul Alamoti, 4 Casey McLean, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Blaize Talagi, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Mitch Kenny, 10 Lindsay Smith, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Luke Garner, 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchanges: 14 Jack Cogger, 15 Billy Phillips, 16 Scott Sorensen, 17 Kalani Going, 18 Izack Tago, 19 Freddy Lussick
Reserves: 20 Tom Ale, 21 Jack Cole, 22 Sione Fonua
Cronulla Sharks: 1 Will Kennedy, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 KL Iro, 5 Sam Stonestreet, 6 Braydon Trindall, 7 Nicho Hynes, 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Thomas Hazelton, 11 Briton Nikora, 12 Billy Burns, 12 Jesse Colquhoun
Interchanges: 14 Siosifa Talakai, 15 Toby Rudolf, 16 Oregon Kaufusi, 17 Braden Uele, 18 Hohepa Puru, 19 Chris Vea’ila
Reserves: 20 Jayden Berrell, 21 Niwhai Puru, 22 Michael Gabrael
Venue: Carrington Park, Bathurst
Kick-off: 19:35 AEDT/21:35 NZST/08:35 GMT
Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Sunday
Manly Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights
Prediction: Manly by 12
Manly 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 Kobe Hetherington, 11 Haumole Olakau’atu, 12 Ben Trbojevic, 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchanges: 14 Joey Walsh, 15 Nathan Brown, 16 Ethan Bullemor, 17 Paul Bryan, 18 Brandon Wakeham, 19 Josh Feledy
Reserves: 20 Corey Waddell, 21 Jackson Shereb, 22 Simione Laiafi
Newcastle Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Dom Young, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Bradman Best, 5 Greg Marzhew, 6 Sandon Smith, 7 Dylan Brown, 8 Jacon Saifiti, 9 Phoenix Crossland, 10 Trey Mooney, 11 Dylan Lucas, 12 Jermaine McEwen, 13 Tyson Frizell
Interchanges: 14 Thomas Cant, 15 Mat Croker, 16 Pasami Saulo, 17 Francis Manulelaua, 18 Fletcher Hunt, 19 Harrison Graham
Reserves: 20 Tyson Gamble, 21 Cody Hopwood, 22 James Schiller
Venue: 4 Pines Park
Kick-off: 16:05 AEDT/18:05 NZST/05:05 GMT
Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans
Prediction: Dolphins by 18
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 Bradley Scheider, 10 Thomas Flegler, 11 Connelly Lemuelu, 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13 Morgan Knowles
Interchanges: 14 Max Plath, 15 Oryn Keeley, 16 Kelise Kaufusi, 17 Ray Stone, 18 Trai Fuller, 19 Sebastian Su’a
Reserves: 20 Lewis Symonds, 21 Tevita Naufahu, 22 Brian Pouniu
Gold Coast Titans: 1 Keano Kini, 2 Sialetili Faeamani, 3 Jojo Fifita, 4 Max Feagai, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 7 Lachla Ilias, 8 Moeaki Fotuaika, 9 Sam Verrills, 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11 Arama Hau, 12 Beau Fermor, 13 Chris Randall
Interchanges: 14 Kurtis Morrin, 15 Tukimihia Simpkins, 16 Klese Haas, 17 Cooper Bai, 18 Luke Sommerton, 19 Zane Harrison
Reserves: 20 Jett Liu, 21 Jensen Taumoepeau, 22 Josh Patston
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Kick-off: 18:15 AEDT/20:15 NZST/07:15 GMT
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
WEDNESDAY’S READS ON LRL
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