NRL round two: Predictions, teams, kick-off times and referee appointments

Melbourne Storm players in 2026

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

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