NRL 2026 – Magic Round preview, predictions and tips
We’re already into Magic Round, where 16 teams face off over three glorious days of Rugby League in Brisbane.
After this, it’s all sights on Origin, but first some intriguing clashes at Suncorp, including a top vs bottom match to see out the weekend…
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 13th May 2026.
- Friday 15th May – Cronulla Sharks vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
- Friday 15th May – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs The Dolphins
- Saturday 16th May – Wests Tigers vs Manly Sea Eagles
- Saturday 16th May – Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys
- Saturday 16th May – Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm
- Sunday 17th May – Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights
- Sunday 17th May – New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos
- Sunday 17th May – Penrith Panthers vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Friday 15th May – Cronulla Sharks vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Form guide
The Sharks were soundley beaten 36-12 by the Rabbitohs last week, which made it three defeats in their last four games. They’ve dropped to 10th on the ladder.
The Bulldogs are down in 13th after last week’s 44-12 loss to the Dolphins, which was their fourth in a row.
Team news
Two big boosts for the Sharks, who have Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jesse Ramien back from injury. Jayden Berrell replaces Blayke Brailey, whose run of 139 consecutive games is ended by concussion, while Jesse Colquhoun replaces the injured Cam McIness.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Jayden Berrell 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Riley Jones 22. Niwhai Puru
The Bulldogs have three big names back this week – Matt Burton, Max King and Kurt Mann. Sean O’Sullivan and Josh Curran drop out of the 19.
My prediction – Cronulla Sharks 30-18 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are so out of form that I can’t tip them in this one. Cronulla aren’t in great shape themselves at the moment, but I’ve seen more from them than Canterbury in the past few weeks to suggest they can win this.
Betting tips
I’m straight on the Sharks with a -4 handicap at 10/11. I’m backing Ronaldo Mulitalo for an anytime try on his comeback too, at 5/6.
Friday 15th May – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs The Dolphins
Form guide
The Rabbitohs’ 36-12 win over the Sharks last weekend cemented their place in the top four. They’ve won three of their last four games.
The Dolphins’ 44-12 win over the Bulldogs last week means they’ve picked up back-to-back victories. They’re up into 9th.
Team news
Latrell Mitchell is back from injury this week for the Rabbitohs, so Latrell Siegwalt drops to the bench after an impressive debut last week. Alex Johnston is injured, so Bayleigh Bentley-Hape is named on the wing for his first NRL game of the year. Jayden Sullivan joins the interchange bench.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Campbell Graham 5. Edward Kosi 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Keaon Koloamatangi 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cam Murray 14. Matthew Dufty 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Tevita Tatola 17. Adam Elliott 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Latrell Siegwalt 20. Moala Graham-Taufa 21. Tom Fletcher 22. Peter Mamouzelos
Oryn Keeley joins the Dolphins’ bench this week, while Kurt Donoghoe could make his comeback after being named in the extended squad.
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 36-24 The Dolphins
There were 70 points between these sides in Round One, and I’m expecting another high-scoring contest here. The Rabbitohs are the team in better form and with Latrell Mitchell back, I can see them getting the win here.
Betting tips
The Rabbitohs are 1/1, so I’m straight on that. I like the look of over 54.5 points as well, which is 10/11.
Saturday 16th May – Wests Tigers vs Manly Sea Eagles
Form guide
The wheels may be coming off for the Tigers, who have lost their last two and conceded 96 points in the process. They’ve dropped to 6th.
Manly, meanwhile, have climbed to 5th, and last week’s 32-4 demolition of Brisbane was their fifth win in six games.
Team news
Terrell May returns for the Tigers this week, while Ethan Roberts has been added to the six-man bench.
Jamal Fogarty is back for Manly this week, so Joey Walsh drops to the six-man interchange. Jake Simpkin replaces the suspended Brandon Wakeham, while Kobe Hetherington joins the bench as he returns from concussion.
My prediction – Wests Tigers 12-20 Manly Sea Eagles
Manly have been in great form recently and I can see them continuing it here against a Tigers side who have dropped off in the past couple of weeks.
Betting tips
Tolutau Koula is my anytime try pick in this one at 5/6. I like the look of the Tigers to score under 10.5 points in the first half as well, which is 4/5.
Saturday 16th May – Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys
Form guide
The Roosters are on a six-game winning streak, which sees them locked in 3rd. They beat the Titans 28-12 last weekend.
The Cowboys suffered a surprise 33-30 loss to the Eels last weekened, which saw them drop to 7th.
Team news
Lindsay Collins is back from suspension for the Roosters and Connor Watson comes in for the suspended Victor Radley.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Cody Ramsey 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Connor Watson 14. Egan Butcher 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 19. Reece Foley 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Taylor Losalu 22. Junior Tupou
Liam Sutton makes his NRL debut in the halves for the Cowboys, with Tom Dearden injured. Jason Taumalolo is rested, while Soni Luke is out with injury. Xavier Kerrisk joins the bench and is in line for his NRL debut, while Wiremu Greig will make his club debut if he comes on.
My prediction – Sydney Roosters 30-16 North Queensland Cowboys
I’m backing the Roosters in this one. They’ve been on fire recently and I can’t see the Cowboys stopping them, especially with Tom Dearden missing.
Betting tips
Hugo Savala and Rob Toia are too good to ignore at 1/1 for an anytime try here.
Saturday 16th May – Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm
Form guide
The Eels pulled off a surprise 33-30 win over the Cowboys last week, which lifted them to 14th.
Melbourne are just one place and two points behind them after a 44-16 win over the Tigers last week. That victory ended a run of seven straight losses for the Storm.
Team news
The Eels have named an unchanged 19 from last week’s win over the Cowboys. Former Storm man Jonah Pezet returns from suspension in the extended squad.
Eels team: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Brian Kelly 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Jack de Belin 14. Dylan Walker 15. Saxon Pryke 16. Toni Mataele 17. Charlie Guymer 18. Apa Twidle 19. Teancum Brown 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Araz Nanva 22. Jonah Pezet
Moses Leo replaces the injured Hugo Peel for Melbourne, while Preston Conn joins the six-man bench.
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Trent Loiero 14. Trent Toelau 15. Cooper Clarke 16. Davvy Moale 17. Joe Chan 18. Stanley Huen 19. Preston Conn 20. Josiah Pahulu 21. Manaia Waitere 22. Angus Hinchey
My prediction – Parramatta Eels 10-38 Melbourne Storm
Melbourne hammered the Eels in Round One, and whilst I don’t think last week’s win over the Tigers necessarily means they’re back to their best, I can see them winning this one and going on a bit of a run.
Betting tips
I’m happy to back Melbourne with a -8 handicap at 10/11. I like the look of a 13+ winning margin at 5/4 as well.
Sunday 17th May – Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights
Form guide
The Titans have lost three in a row to drop to 16th. Thdy were beaten 28-12 by the Roosters last weekend.
Meanwhile, the Knights made it back-to-back wins with a 44-10 thrashing of the Dragons. They’re up to 8th on the ladder with that win.
Team news
Luke Sommerton replaces Sam Verrills on the Titans’ bench in the only change from last week.
The Knights are unchanged from last week’s win over the Dragons.
My prediction – Gold Coast Titans 12-24 Newcastle Knights
I can’t see the Knights not winning this one. They’re serious contenders for a top eight spot and they’ll be licking their lips at the prospect of facing a side with just two wins.
Betting tips
Newcastle are 11/10 to score first, lead at half-time and win, which looks the best value in this one. Anytime tryscorer odds aren’t great, but Dylan Brown looks the best pick at 11/5.
Sunday 17th May – New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos
Form guide
The Warriors had a bye last week, but they’ve won four in a row before that to cement 2nd spot on the ladder.
The Broncos’ inconsistency continued last week as they were beaten 32-4 by Manly. They’re down in 11th with a 5-5 record.
Team news
The big news from the Warriors is the absence of Luke Metcalf, who has been given permission to speak to other clubs. Elsewhere, Ali Leiataua, Mitch Barnett and Tanner Stowers-Smith all return. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is missing through injury.
Adam Reynolds comes straight back into the Broncos’ side after concussion. Philip Coates will make his NRL debut on the wing in place of the injured Antonio Verhoeven. Jack Gosiewski is out after failing his HIA last week, so Jaiyden Hunt comes into the starting side and Josh Rogers joins the bench.
My prediction – New Zealand Warriors 26-18 Brisbane Broncos
I’m expecting a response from the Broncos after their mauling last week, but the Warriors look so strong that I can’t see them being beaten here.
Betting tips
I’m straight on the Warriors with a -2 handicap in this one, which is 10/11. I’ll also back the 1-12 winning margin, which is 21/10.
Sunday 17th May – Penrith Panthers vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Form guide
The Panthers’ 30-18 win over the Raiders last weekend made it nine wins from 10 games.
As for the Dragons, their 44-10 hammering by the Knights means they’re still winless, with nine straight losses to start the year.
Team news
Jack Cogger replaces Jack Cole on the Panthers’ bench in the only change from last week.
Panthers team: 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. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Izack Tago 18. Billy Phillips 19. Billy Scott 20. Jack Cole 21. Sione Fonua 22. Luron Patea
Kyle Flanagan and Christian Tuipulotu are back for the Dragons in place of the injured Kade Reed and Mat Feagai. Moses Suli also returns from injury, so Tyrell Sloan drops to the bench. Daniel Atkinson and Luciano Leilua also return this week.
My prediction – Penrith Panthers 50-10 St George Illawarra Dragons
This could be anything with top playing bottom and both sides at extreme ends of the form scale. The best hope for the Dragons is that Penrith go easy on them, but I’m not expecting it.
Betting tips
I’m happy to go with the -28 handicap here at 10/11. Blaize Talagi is well-priced for an anytime try as well, at 5/4.
