NRL 2026 – Round 1 preview, predictions and tips – Part 2
After last week’s double header in Vegas, it’s back to normal this week, as the remaining six games from Round One take place Down Under.
Here’s a look at what to expect this weekend…
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 3rd March 2026.
- Thursday 5th March – Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels – AAMI Park
- Betting tips
- Friday 6th March – New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters – Go Media Stadium
- Betting tips
- Friday 6th March – Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers – Suncorp Stadium
- Betting tips
- Saturday 7th March – Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans – Ocean Protect Stadium
- Betting tips
- Friday 6th March – Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders – 4 Pines Park
- Betting tips
- Sunday 8th March – The Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Suncorp Stadium
- Betting tips
Thursday 5th March – Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels – AAMI Park
Form guide
The Storm lost 2/2 in pre-season. A 32-6 loss to the Raiders was followed by a 42-12 defeat by the Titans.
It was the opposite case for the Eels, who beat the Sharks 40-6, before a 28-22 win over the Roosters.
Team news
Jack Howarth, Shawn Blore and Xavier Coates all miss out for Melbourne through injury. Eli Katoa will also be missing for the whole of 2026. Cooper Clarke and Preston Conn have been named on the bench for their NRL debuts, while Davvy Moale will make his club debut off the bench after arriving from South Sydney.
Former Storm man Jonah Pezet makes his Eels debut, along with Jack de Belin and Brian Kelly. Another former Melbourne man, Josh Addo-Carr, is injured.
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 14. Dylan Walker 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Tallyn Da Silva 18. Kelma Tuilagi 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Jordan Samrani 21. Charlie Guymer 22. Teancum Brown
My prediction – Melbourne Storm 24-14 Parramatta Eels
I can see the Storm getting off to a winning start at home against a Parra side who should be much improved from last season.
Betting tips
Sua Fa’alogo looks well-priced for an anytime try at 6/5. I’ll be getting on Harry Grant as well, at 23/10.
Friday 6th March – New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters – Go Media Stadium
Form guide
The Warriors lost both of their pre-season games. Manly beat them 33-18 in New Zealand before a 38-34 loss to the Dolphins in Sydney.
The Roosters also lost both of their pre-season games, as they were beaten 42-26 by the Tigers and 28-22 by the Eels.
Team news
Mitch Barnett, Luke Metcalf and Marata Niukore remain sidelined for the Warriors. Ali Leiataua will play his first NRL game since Round 12 last year, while Englishman Morgan Gannon is part of the six-man bench as he looks to make his NRL debut.
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 14. Samuel Healey 15. Demitric Vaimauga 16. Leka Halasima 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Morgan Gannon 21. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 22. Luke Hanson 23. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Daly Cherry-Evans is named in the halves for his Roosters debut, but another new arrival, Reece Robson, is out injured. Former Dragon Cody Ramsey is on the six-man bench as he eyes a first NRL appearance since 2022.
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 14. Connor Watson 15. Siua Wong 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Fetalaiga Pauga 20. Salesi Foketi 21. Tommy Talau 22. Toby Rodwell
My prediction -New Zealand Warriors 8-22 Sydney Roosters
I have a feeling the Roosters will get off to a winning start in this one. I’m tipping them for a big year, so I expect them to start strong against a side I can’t see making the top eight.
Betting tips
I’m getting straight on the Roosters with a -4 handicap at 10/11. After topping the try scoring charts last year, Mark Nawaqanitawase is a nicely priced 5/6 for an anytime score this week as well.
Friday 6th March – Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers – Suncorp Stadium
Form guide
The Broncos have already played in competitive action this year when they were stunned 30-24 by Hull KR in the World Club Challenge.
The Panthers, meanwhile, lost both of their pre-season fixtures. A 66-24 thrashing by the Cowboys was followed by a 26-12 loss to the Tigers.
Team news
The Broncos have named the same 17 who took on Hull KR in last month’s WCC. Billy Walters remains a long-term absentee with an ACL injury, while new signings Grant Anderson and Aublix Tawha are part of the six-man bench.
Liam Martin is out for the Panthers, so Luke Garner starts in the second row. New signings Jack Cogger, Kalani Going and Freddy Lussick are all part of the six-man bench.
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 14. Jack Cogger 15. Luron Patea 16. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Kalani Going 18. Thomas Jenkins 19. Freddy Lussick 20. Billy Phillips 21. Jack Cole 22. Sione Fonua
My prediction – Brisbane Broncos 14-20 Penrith Panthers
I can see the Panthers edging this one against the reigning Premiers. I’m expecting Penrith to improve in 2026, and Brisbane may still be nursing a slight WCC hangover.
Betting tips
Brisbane are slight favourites in this one, so I’m getting straight on Penrith to win, at 13/10. It should be a close one, so I also like the look of the 1 to 12 winning margin at 15/8.
Saturday 7th March – Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans – Ocean Protect Stadium
Form guide
The Sharks’ pre-season form was very mixed. They were beaten 40-6 by the Eels, then saw off the Raiders 48-6.
The Titans are my tip for the wooden spoon this year, but if pre-season is anything to go by they’ll be fine. They beat the Dolphins 24-12, then Melbourne, 42-12.
Team news
Ronaldo Mulitalo will miss 2026 with an ACL for the Sharks. Teig Wilton is also injured, but due back soon.
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 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Chris Veaila 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Michael Gabrael 22. Niwhai Puru
Jayden Campbell is injured for the Titans, which opens up a spot in the halves for Lachlan Ilias to make his club debut. Siale Faeamani makes his NRL debut on the wing, while former Dolphin Max Feagai makes his club debut in the centres. Ex-Bulldog Kurtis Morrin will make his Titans debut off the bench.
My prediction -Cronulla Sharks 30-16 Gold Coast Titans
I’m expecting the Sharks to start off strong against a side I can’t see getting anywhere near the Finals this year.
Betting tips
Cronulla are 10/11 to win by 13+, which looks ok to me. At 11/4, Max Feagai looks too tempting to pass up for an anytime try.
Friday 6th March – Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders – 4 Pines Park
Form guide
Manly beat the Warriors 33-18 in pre-season before being downed 30-6 by the Rabbitohs.
The Raiders thumped the Storm 32-6 before being heavily beaten themselves, 48-6, by the Sharks.
Team news
Taniela Paseka plays his first NRL game for Manly since Round 3 last year following a ruptured achilles. Former Raider Jamal Fogarty makes his club debut in the halves, while Kobe Hetherington will make his Sea Eagles debut from the bench.
Ethan Sanders takes over the halfback role for the Raiders in just his fifth NRL game. Simi Sasagi gets the nod over Matt Timoko, who has a minor foot injury. Jayden Brailey and Daine Laurie could make their club debuts from the bench.
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 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Daine Laurie 19. Jed Stuart 20. Matt Nicholson 21. Matthew Timoko 22. Owen Pattie
My prediction – Manly Sea Eagles 18-14 Canberra Raiders
I can’t go against Manly in this one. The Raiders were Minor Premiers last year and Manly missed out on Finals, but it’s a whole new campaign and I’m expecting the Sea Eagles to finish higher than this week’s opponents.
Betting tips
Manly are 10/11 for the win, which I’ll be straight on. I can’t ignore Jason Saab for an anytime try at 1/1 either.
Sunday 8th March – The Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Suncorp Stadium
Form guide
It was one loss and one win for the Dolphins in pre-season. They were beaten 24-12 by the Titans before a 38-34 win over the Warriors.
The Rabbitohs picked up 2/2 wins. A 28-24 win over the dragons was backed up with a 30-6 win over Manly.
Team news
Selwyn Cobbo and Morgan Knowles will make their Dolphins debuts from the start, while Brad Schneider is named on the bench. Tom Gilbert will make his first appearance since Round 11 last year, while Tom Flegler returns after almost two years out with a shoulder injury. Daniel Saifiti is out with a shoulder injury of his own.
David Fifita and Bronson Garlick make their Rabbitohs debuts, while Jai Arrow and Brandon Smith are injured. Jamie Humphreys misses out through suspension. Moala Graham-Taufa will make his club debut if he comes off the six-man bench.
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 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Lachlan Hubner 17. Sean Keppie 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Moala Graham-Taufa 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
My prediction -The Dolphins 36-24 South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Dolphins scored points for fun last year, so I have a feeling this could be a high-scoring game. The Rabbitohs start the campaign with a much stronger looking team than they had for most of last year, but I can’t see them winning this one.
Betting tips
The Dolphins are 5/6 for the win, which I’ll be straight on. As I’m expecting a lot of points, I’ll also be getting on over 43.5 points, which is 20/23.
