NRL 2026 – Round 7 preview, predictions and tips
As we head into Round Seven this weekend, just two points separate the top eight in one of the most unpredictable NRL campaigns in years.
Just as the Panthers were looking unstoppable, they were brought back down to Earth with a bump by the Bulldogs, while Melbourne have fallen off a cliff, with four straight losses. The Dragons remain winless too, but they’ll be hoping a clash with old rivals, the Rabbitohs, this week can ignite their season.
- Thursday 16th April – North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles
- Friday 17th April – Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm
- Friday 17th April – The Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers
- Saturday 18th April – New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans
- Saturday 18th April – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons
- Saturday 18th April – Wests Tigers vs Brisbane Broncos
- Sunday 19th April – Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights
- Sunday 19th April – Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 14th April 2026.
Thursday 16th April – North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles
Form guide
The Cowboys have really picked up in recent weeks, and their 35-31 win over the Broncos last week made it four victories in a row.
Manly have started to find some form too, and their 28-18 win over the Dragons in Round Six made it back-to-back wins for caretaker coach Kieran Foran.
Team news
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Soni Luke 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Griffin Neame 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Viliami Vailea 19. Mason Barber 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Robert Derby
Sea Eagles team: 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. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Nathan Brown 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jackson Shereb 21. Joey Walsh 22. Simione Laiafi
My prediction – North Queensland Cowboys 30-18 Manly Sea Eagles
Although Manly have picked up in the past couple of weeks, I can’t see past an in-form Cowboys at home in this one.
Betting tips
I’m happy to jump straight on the Cowboys with a -4 handicap, at 10/11. It’s the same price for them in the half-time/full-time market, which looks way better value than any of the tryscorers.
Friday 17th April – Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm
Form guide
The Raiders picked up just their second win of the season in a gutsy 36-34 victory over the Rabbitohs in Perth last weekend.
Meanwhile, Melbourne’s struggling start continued in a 38-14 home defeat to the Warriors, which made it four straight losses.
Team news
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Sebastian Kris 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 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. Savelio Tamale 22. Chevy Stewart
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Fa’alogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Manaia Waitere 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. Shawn Blore 19. Hugo Peel 20. Lazarus Vaalepu 21. Moses Leo 22. Trent Toelau
My prediction – Canberra Raiders 18-26 Melbourne Storm
At some point the Storm are going to stop the rot, and despite Canberra winning last weekend they’ve had some struggles of their own. I’m just leaning towards Melbourne in this one.
Betting tips
I’m backing Melbourne with a -2 handicap at 10/11. Manaia Waitere looks a good price for an anytime try as well, at 1/1.
Friday 17th April – The Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers
Form guide
The Dolphins had a bye in Round Six, but they were hammered 52-18 the previous week by Manly. They sot 12th with a 2-3 record.
The Panthers were looking unstoppable until last week, but their 32-16 loss to the Bulldogs ended their unbeaten run. They remain top of the ladder though.
Team news
Dolphins team: 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. Max Plath 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Brad Schneider 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Ray Stone 17. Francis Molo 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Trai Fuller 20. Brian Pouniu 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Lewis Symonds
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Izack Tago 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 14. Jack Cogger 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Kalani Going 17. Billy Phillips 18. Sione Fonua 19. Freddy Lussick 20. Luron Patea 21. Jack Cole 22. Jesse McLean
My prediction – The Dolphins 14-32 Penrith Panthers
I’m fully expecting the Panthers to bounce back with a commanding win in this one. They made some uncharacteristic errors last week, but they I’d be surprised if they have two off days in a row.
Betting tips
There’s not loads of value in this game, and I don’t entirely trust the -14 handicap that Penrith have been given, after last week’s loss. Instead, I’m backing the Dolphins to score between 11 and 20 points, which is 13/10. I’ll also be tipping the Panthers to score first, lead at half-time and win, which is 4/5.
Saturday 18th April – New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans
Form guide
The Warriors picked up an enormous 38-14 win over the Storm in Melbourne last weekend. That victory moved them up to 3rd on the ladder.
The Titans had their own big win as well – 52-10 over the Eels. That’s lifted them into 14th with a 2-4 record.
Team news
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Marata Niukore 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban 18. Luke Hanson 20. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 21. Morgan Gannon 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 23. Mitchell Barnett
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Kurtis Morrin 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Oliver Pascoe 15. Cooper Bai 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Adam Christensen 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Zane Harrison 20. Klese Haas 21. Josh Patston 22. Jenson Taumoepeau
My prediction – New Zealand Warriors 36-16 Gold Coast Titans
The Warriors will fancy their chances of keeping their strong start to the season going here, despite the Titans’ own impressive win last week.
Betting tips
I’m comfortable backing the Warriors with a -10 handicap, at 10/11. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck got off the mark last week, and he’s the best priced of the likely tryscorers to cross anytime, at 11/10.
Saturday 18th April – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Form guide
The Rabbitohs were narrowly beaten 36-34 by the Raiders last weekend, which has seen them slip to 5th.
Meanwhile, the Dragons’ 28-18 loss to Manly made it six straight losses. They’re the only team yet to score 100 points in the NRL this year as well.
Team news
Rabbitohs team: 1. Matt Dufty 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. Lachlan Hubner 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Bronson Garlick 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jayden Sullivan 18. Edward Kosi 19. Thomas Fletcher 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Moala Graham-Taufa 22. Liam Le Blanc
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Hame Sele 19. Kade Reed 20. David Fale 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 22. Lyhkan King-Togia
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 38-20 St George Illawarra Dragons
I can’t see past the Rabbitohs in this one. Their attack has been fizzing at times this year, so I’d expect them to score at least 20 points, and I can’t see the Dragons going toe to toe with them for a full 80.
Betting tips
The -14 handicap could be a bit risky for Souths, so I’m backing them to score first, lead at half-time and win, which is 5/6. The likeliest tryscorers are all odds on, so I’m backing Cody Walker at 2/1. He scored twice last weekend, and he has more than 100 in the NRL.
Saturday 18th April – Wests Tigers vs Brisbane Broncos
Form guide
The Tigers are absolutely flying, and their 42-22 win over the Knights in Round Six kept them in 2nd – level on points with leaders Penrith.
The Broncos suffered a narrow 35-31 loss at home to the Cowboys last weekend. That defeat dropped them down to 11th.
Team news
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Heamasi Makasini 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 14. Jock Madden 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Latu Fainu 19. Luke Laulilii 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Tristan Hope
Broncos team: 1. Jesse Arthars 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Josh Rogers 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Xavier Willison 14. Thomas Duffy 15. Ben Talty 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Va’a Semu 19. Hayze Perham 20. Cameron Bukowski 21. Cory Paix 22. Antonio Verhoeven
My prediction – Wests Tigers 22-16 Brisbane Broncos
This should be the game of the round, and I can see it going the way of the home side. The Broncos will be boosted by the return of Adam Reynolds, but with Reece Walsh and Ben Hunt still ruled out, they’ll struggle to tame the in-form Tigers, who are boosted by the return of Jarome Luai this week.
Betting tips
I can see this being close, so I’m backing the Tigers to win by 1-12 points, which is 21/10. I’m also going for under 51.5 points in total, which is 10/11.
Sunday 19th April – Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights
Form guide
The Roosters’ excellent 34-22 comeback win over the Sharks last weekend has seen them climb into the top eight.
As for the Knights, their 42-22 loss to the Tigers saw them slip to 6th, but they’re still 4-2 for the campaign so far.
Team news
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. Billy Smith
Knights team: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Fletcher Hunt 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Sandon Smith 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Thomas Cant 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Cody Hopwood 17. Francis Manuleleua 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Peter Hola 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. James Schiller
My prediction – Sydney Roosters 24-16 Newcastle Knights
I’m leaning towards the Roosters in this one. They’ll have been boosted by their win over the Sharks in Perth, and despite Newcastle welcoming Dylan Brown back this week, the Chooks still look the stronger of the two teams to me.
Betting tips
Again, I expect this one to be fairly close, so I’m going for the Roosters to win by 1-12, which is 9/4. I’m also backing the Chooks to score first, lead at half-time and win, which is 1/1.
Sunday 19th April – Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Form guide
The Eels suffered a heavy 52-10 loss to the Titans last weekend. That defeat means they’re down to 16th with a 2-4 record.
As for the Bulldogs, they inflicted a first defeat of the year on the Panthers in a highly impressive 32-16 win, which has seen them climb to 7th.
Team news
Eels team: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Saxon Pryke 16. Jack de Belin 17. Toni Mataele 18. Teancum Brown 19. Araz Nanva 20. Lorenzo Talataina 21. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 22. Mohamed Alameddine
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Samuel Hughes 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Jake Turpin 19. Jonathan Sua 20. Lipoi Hopoi 21. Josh Curran 22. Alekolasimi Jones 23. Stephen Crichton
My prediction – Parramatta Eels 12-30 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
I can’t see past the Bulldogs in this one, given both sides’ form. The return of Leo Thompson for his Doggies debut will be a big boost too.
Betting tips
The Bulldogs should be safe with a -13 handicap, at 10/11. Bronson Xerri is also well-priced for an anytime try at 7/5.
