NRL 2026 – Round 6 preview, predictions and tips
Easter’s done and dusted, and the NRL rolls into Round Six this weekend. The Panthers look unbeatable, the Dragons look unwinnable, and the Knights and the Tigers are flying high.
Roll on Round 6!…
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 8th April 2026.
- Thursday 9th April – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers – Accor Stadium
- Friday 10th April – St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles – WIN Stadium
- Friday 10th April – Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys – Suncorp Stadium
- Saturday 11th April – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders – Optus Stadium
- Saturday 11th April – Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters – Optus Stadium
- Saturday 11th April – Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors – AAMI Park
- Sunday 12th April – Parramatta Eels vs Gold Coast Titans – CommBank Stadium
- Sunday 12th April – Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights – Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Thursday 9th April – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers – Accor Stadium
Form guide
The Bulldogs have stuttered so far, and their 32-24 loss to the Rabbitohs last weekend leaves them in 9th with a 2-2 record.
As for the Panthers, there’s been no signs that anyone can stop them yet. They’re 5-0, with their latest win being a 50-10 battering of Melbourne Storm.
Team news
Bronson Xerri is back for the Bulldogs in his first game since Round One. He replaces injured skipper Stephen Crichton. Harry Hayes is back from concussion, while Jethro Rinakama is in the extended squad after injury.
Mitch Kenny is back from suspension for the Panthers, which sees Freddy Lussick drop to the interchange. Halfback Nathan Cleary will play his 200th game this weekend.
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. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Billy Phillips 16. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 18. Izack Tago 19. Freddy Lussick 20. Sione Fonua 21. Kalani Going 22. Jack Cole
My prediction – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 10-32 Penrith Panthers
I can’t see anyone stopping the Panthers right now, so I’m backing a routine away win. On paper, this should be much tighter than this, but Penrith look unstoppable and the Bulldogs have been inconsistent to start the year.
Betting tips
Most of the odds in this one don’t look very appealing, so the two markets where I see the best value are highest scoring half and half-time margin. It’s 1/1 for the first half to be highest scoring and 5/6 for the Panthers to be leading by 9+ at the break.
Friday 10th April – St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles – WIN Stadium
Form guide
The hapless Dragons are 0-5 to start the year after a 32-0 loss to the Cowboys in Round Five. If they need some inspiration, they can look at this week’s opponents…
…Manly. The Sea Eagles were 0-3 heading into last weekend, but a change of coach saw an immediate upturn in fortunes as they hammered the Dolphins, 52-18.
Team news
Tyrell Sloan replaces Clint Gutherson at fullback for the Dragons, while Setu Tu replaces the suspended David Fale on the wing. Kyle Flanagan is back from concussion and goes straight into the halves.
Jason Saab is back from suspension for Manly, and he replaces Clayton Faulalo in the only change from last weekend.
My prediction – St George Illawarra Dragons 14-26 Manly Sea Eagles
At some point the Dragons’ form will turn around, but I don’t see it happening this week. Manly will be on a high after getting off the board in Round Five, and they’ll fancy their chances in this one.
Betting tips
I’m getting straight on Manly with a -8 handicap at 10/11. I’m backing Jason Saab for an anytime try as well, at 5/6.
Friday 10th April – Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys – Suncorp Stadium
Form guide
It’s three wins in a row for the Broncos after last week’s 26-12 win over the Titans. That win lifted last year’s Premiers into the top eight.
The Cowboys have found some form too, and their 32-0 win over the Dragons last week means they’re also on a three-game winning run.
Team news
Reece Walsh is out for the Broncos with a fractured cheekbone, so Jesse Arthars is at fullback. Adam Reynolds has been named despite going off early last week, but Thomas Duffy is in the squad as backup. Blake Mozer replaces the injured Ben Hunt on the bench.
Kai O’Donnell replaces the injured Sam McIntyre for the Cowboys. Braidon Burns is named despite spraining an ankle last week. Fullback Scott Drinkwater will play his 150th NRL game.
My prediction – Brisbane Broncos 18-22 North Queensland Cowboys
Both of these sides are in form, so something has to give this weekend. I’m just about edging towards the away team, given that Reece Walsh and Ben Hunt are missing, and Adam Reynolds might not make the 80.
Betting tips
The Broncos are slight favourites for this one, so I’m getting straight on the Cowboys win at 5/4. As I’m expecting a close one, I like the look of the 1-12 winning margin too, at 5/2.
Saturday 11th April – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders – Optus Stadium
Form guide
The Rabbitohs are flying so far in 2026, with their 32-24 win over the Bulldogs in Round Five lifting them to 4th, with a 3-1 record.
Last year’s Minor Premiers, Canberra, are struggling at the opposite end. Their 32-12 loss to the resurgent Knights has them down in 16th, and they’re 1-4 to start the year.
Team news
Hooker Brandon Smith is back from injury for the Rabbitohs, and he’s been named to start his first game of the year. Bronson Garlick drops to the bench and Moala Graham-Taufa drops out altogether.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Bronson Garlick 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Edward Kosi 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Latrell Siegwalt
Jed Stuart will play his first game of the year for the Raiders, with Xavier Savage injured. Joe Roddy and Daine Laurie replace Chevy Stewart and Matt Timoko on the extended bench.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jed Stuart 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. Joseph Roddy 20. Owen Pattie 21. Matthew Timoko 22. Chevy Stewart
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 36-18 Canberra Raiders
The Rabbitohs should be licking their lips at the prospect of playing a Raiders side with just one win so far. Souths’ attack has been purring with all their big guns back, and they’ll be hard to stop for a Canberra side with the second-worst defence in the NRL this year.
Betting tips
The Rabbitohs with a -6 handicap are too tempting to pass up at 10/11. With the way both teams have been doing, the 7/4 for a 13+ winning margin looks too good to ignore as well.
Saturday 11th April – Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters – Optus Stadium
Form guide
The Sharks’ 36-22 win over the Warriors last weekend saw them move up to 6th with a 3-2 record.
The Roosters had a bye in Round Five, but their 33-16 win over Manly the previous week, combined with their two bye points, has them sitting in 10th with a 2-2 record.
Team news
Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha joins the Sharks’ bench with Tom Hazleton named, but doubtful. Jesse Ramien is out, so Mawene Hiroti comes in.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Briton Nikora 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Riley Jones 22. Chris Veaila
The Roosters are boosted by the returns of Victor Radley and Spencer Leniu. Billy Smith is injured, so Hugo Savala comes into the centres. Blake Steep drops out of the 19.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Egan Butcher 22. Blake Steep
My prediction – Cronulla Sharks 14-24 Sydney Roosters
I went against the Sharks last week and ended up with egg on my face, but I’m doing it again anyway. This game’s on neutral territory for a start, and I just have a feeling the Roosters will turn up and get the job done in this one.
Betting tips
This one’s split straight down the middle, so I’m backing the Roosters to win at 5/6. It’s the same price for a Daniel Tupou anytime try, and he has 14 in 17 against the Sharks.
Saturday 11th April – Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors – AAMI Park
Form guide
Melbourne are in as much of a crisis as I’ve seen with three straight defeats. Last week’s 50-10 loss to Penrith will have really stung, and it saw them drop to 11th.
The Warriors, meanwhile, were beaten 36-22 by the Sharks last week. They remain in 5th though with a 3-2 record.
Team news
Jack Howarth and Moses Leo are back for Melbourne this week. Preston Conn drops out of the 19. Manaia Waitere moves to the bench and Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown drops out.
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Fa’alogo 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. Joe Chan 12. Cooper Clarke 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Davvy Moale 18. Lazarus Vaalepu 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Preston Conn 21. Hugo Peel 22. Trent Toelau
Adam Pompey is suspended for the Warriors having initially been named, so either Leka Halasima or Ali Leiataua are likely to go to centre. Luke Metcalf is injured, so Chanel Harris-Tavita comes into the halves.
My prediction – Melbourne Storm 24-16 New Zealand Warriors
The idea of Melbourne losing four in a row is unthinkable to me. Granted, that’s not a great reason to back them, but they will bounce back sooner rather than later, and where better than AAMI Park.
Betting tips
Although I’m tipping the Warriors to lose, I still expect some points from them, and the 13/8 for an anytime try from Leka Halasima is too good to miss – especially if he plays in the centre. I’m expecting a close contest, so I’ll back the 1-12 Melbourne winning margin at 21/10 as well.
Sunday 12th April – Parramatta Eels vs Gold Coast Titans – CommBank Stadium
Form guide
The Eels’ narrow Golden Point loss to the Tigers on Easter Monday means they’re down in 14th with a 2-3 record.
The Titans are one place and two points below them with a 1-4 record after their 26-12 loss to the Broncos last week.
Team news
Bailey Simonsson, Sean Russell and Jonah Pezet have all been ruled out for the Eels this week. Araz Nanva will make his debut on the wing and Will Penisini’s return from injury is timely in the centres. Ronald Volkman is named in the halves for his first NRL game in over a year.
Eels team: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Araz Nanva 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Brian Kelly 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Charlie Guymer 16. Sam Tuivaiti 17. Luca Moretti 18. Jack de Belin 19. Teancum Brown 20. Mohamed Alameddine 21. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 22. Lorenzo Talataina
Jaylan de Groot replaces Max Feagai in the Titans’ 19, in the only change from last weekend.
My prediction – Parramatta Eels 14-18 Gold Coast Titans
It’s rare for me to tip the Titans, but with Parra’s injury list, they have a golden opportunity to claim the two points here. I still won’t be shocked if the Eels win, but Gold Coast have a great chance in this one.
Betting tips
The Eels are favourites in this one, so I’m straight on the Titans win at 5/4. Again, I don’t expect it to be a big victory, so I’m going for the 1-12 winning margin as well, at 5/2.
Sunday 12th April – Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights – Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Form guide
The Tigers are riding high in 2nd after their Golden Point win over the Eels on Easter Monday. They’re 3-1 so far this year.
The Knights are right behind them with a 4-1 record so far. They beat the Raiders 32-12 over the Easter weekend to climb into 3rd.
Team news
Luke Laulilii is banned for the Tigers, so Jeral Skelton comes in for him in the only change.
Wilson De Courcey is named in place of the injured Bradman Best for the Knights, who are otherwise unchanged.
My prediction – Wests Tigers 14-10 Newcastle Knights
It’s hard to separate these two at the moment, but I’m tipping the Tigers to edge it in front of their home crowd.
Betting tips
The Tigers are 10/11 with a -3 handicap, which I’m just about happy to back. I’ll get on the 1-12 winning margin in this game too, at 11/5.
