NRL 2026 – Round 8 preview, predictions and tips
This season’s moving way too fast for my liking. Easter’s been and gone, and now we find ourselves at ANZAC Round already. Once this weekend’s out the way, it means Origin’s right around the corner, then it’s a sprint to the finish.
Maybe I need to just take it one weekend at a time and enjoy it, starting with an intriguing clash at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday…
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 22nd April 2026.
- Thursday 23rd April – Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders
- Friday 24th April – North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks
- Friday 24th April – Brisbane Broncos vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
- Saturday 25th April – St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters
- Saturday 25th April – New Zealand Warriors vs The Dolphins
- Saturday 25th April – Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
- Sunday 26th April – Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers
- Sunday 26th April – Manly Sea Eagles vs Parramatta Eels
Thursday 23rd April – Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders
Form guide
The Tigers were beaten 21-20 in a tight tussle with the Broncos last weekend. The defeat dropped them a place to 3rd, but they’re still just two points off top spot.
After a slow start to the year, the Raiders made it back-to-back wins last weekend in their 26-22 victory over the struggling Storm. They sit 13th – two points outside the top eight.
Team news
Starford To’a will make his first NRL appearance of the season for the Tigers, and Luke Laulilii comes into the side too. Heamasi Makasini and Patrick Herbert drop out, and Latu Fainu drops out of the 19.
The Raiders have lost Hudson Young to suspension, so Noah Martin comes into the starting side. Josh Papali’i is out with injury, so Joe Roddy and Daine Laurie join the six-man bench.
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Sebastian Kris 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Ata Mariota 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daine Laurie 16. Joseph Roddy 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Savelio Tamale 20. Owen Pattie 21. Jordan Uta 22. Jake Clydsdale
My prediction – Wests Tigers 20-16 Canberra Raiders
I like the look of the Tigers in this one, although I can see Canberra pushing them close. This really could go either way, but with most of Leichhardt Oval behind them, I’m backing Wests.
Betting tips
I’m expecting this to be close, so I’m jumping straight on the Tigers to win by 1-12 points, which is 21/10. Jahream Bula has scored in his last four games, so the 5/6 on him for an anytime try looks good to me.
Friday 24th April – North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks
Form guide
After four straight wins, the Cowboys were humbled in Round Seven, as Manly beat them 38-6 on their own patch. That loss dropped them to 11th.
The Sharks had a bye in Round Seven, but they were beaten 34-22 by the Roosters in their previous outing. They sit 7th with a 3-3 record so far.
Team news
The Cowboys have Murray Taulagi, Reed Mahoney and Jeremiah Nanai all back this week. Zac Laybutt drops out of the 19 and Soni Luke moves to the interchange.
The Sharks have captain Cam McInnes back ahead of schedule this week, and he starts on the bench. Meanwhile, Siosifa Talakai comes into the starting side and Sione Katoa drops to the reserves.
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Siosifa Talakai 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. Cameron McInnes 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Riley Jones 21. Riley Pollard 22. Sione Katoa
My prediction – North Queensland Cowboys 24-16 Cronulla Sharks
I was close to tipping the Sharks in this one, but the return of Nanai, Taluagi and Mahoney is just leaning me towards the home side here.
Betting tips
The Sharks are slight favourites, so I’m straight on a Cowboys win at 11/10. Jeremiah Nanai is well-priced at 7/4 for a comeback try too.
Friday 24th April – Brisbane Broncos vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Form guide
The Broncos squeezed past the Tigers in a 21-20 win last weekend to climb up to 9th.
The Bulldogs are one place behind them, following a surprise 38-20 loss to the Eels.
Team news
Payne Haas and Corey Jensen are out for the Broncos. Jaiyden Hunt, Preston Riki, VJ Semu and Antonio Verhoeven all come onto the bench.
Skipper Stephen Crichton is back for the Bulldogs this week. Jonathan Sua comes into the starting side for the injured Jacob Kiraz, while Jake Turpin joins the bench.
My prediction – Brisbane Broncos 12-20 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Broncos win this, but they’ve got so many key players missing that I can’t see how they do it. Especially as the Bulldogs have Stephen Crichton back this week.
Betting tips
I’m backing the Bulldogs with a -4 handicap at 10/11. I’m also getting on them to score first, lead at half-time and win, which is 17/10.
Saturday 25th April – St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters
Form guide
Last week’s 30-12 loss to the Rabbitohs was the final straw for the Dragons board, who sacked coach Shane Flanagan in the aftermath. That defeat means they’re 0-7 for the year, and they remain the only team yet to crack 100 points in the NRL in 2026.
The Roosters, meanwhile, made it three straight wins with their 38-24 victory over the Knights. They’re up into 5th, just two points off top spot.
Team news
Dragons’ interim coach Dean Young has wasted no time ringing the changes for his first game. Kade Reed will make his NRL debut at halfback with Kyle Flanagan dropping to the bench. Ryan Couchman is back from suspension and comes straight in for Jaydn Su’A, who was sent off last weekend. Moses Suli also returns and David Fale drops out with injury.
Billy Smith joins the Roosters’ bench as he eyes a comeback, They’re unchanged from 1-17.
Roosters: 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. Billy Smith 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Egan Butcher 22. Tommy Talau
My prediction – St George Illawarra Dragons 12-32 Sydney Roosters
The Dragons are winless, coachless and have just two wins from 15 against the Roosters. Anything other than a comfortable Chooks win would be a surprise, although stranger things have happened when it comes to ANZAC Round.
Betting tips
There’s not much value in the handicap or tryscorer markets for this one, so I’m going for a couple of points markets. The Dragons are 1/1 to score under 17.5 points and 5/4 to score between 11 and 20 points. Given they’re only averaging 14 points a game, these two look ok to me.
Saturday 25th April – New Zealand Warriors vs The Dolphins
Form guide
The Warriors’ 28-20 win over the Titans last weekend made it back-to-back wins which have lifted them to 2nd.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins were agonisngly beaten 23-22 by the Panthers to remain 12th with a 2-4 record.
Team news
Adam Pompey is back from suspension in the Warriors’ extended squad. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is ruled out through injury, with Taine Tuaupiki replacing him at fullback.
Kodi Nikorima is suspended for the Dolphins, so Brad Schneider starts in the halves and Trai Fuller comes onto the interchange bench.
My prediction – New Zealand Warriors 36-20 The Dolphins
The Warriors have been in fine form and they’ve won four of their past five games in Wellington. Whichever way this goes, I expect plenty of points, but I can see the home side having too much.
Betting tips
I’m straight on the Warriors with a -6 handicap at 10/11. I’m also backing over 51.5 points, which is 6/5.
Saturday 25th April – Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Form guide
Melbourne’s struggles continued in Round Seven, as their 26-22 loss to the Raiders made it five straight defeats. The Storm are languishing down in 15th.
As for the Rabbitohs, their 30-12 win over the Dragons last weekend has seen them climb to 4th.
Team news
The Storm are unchanged from 1-19, with a couple of minor reshuffles.
Storm: 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. Shawn Blore 17. Davvy Moale 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Hugo Peel 20. Trent Toelau 21. Josiah Pahulu 22. Moses Leo
Euan Aitken is named on the Rabbitohs’ six-man bench as he eyes a return from injury. Liam Le Blanc also comes into the 19.
Rabbitohs: 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. Bronson Garlick 10. Sean Keppie 11. Brandon Smith 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Jayden Sullivan 17. Keaon Koloamatangi 18. Euan Aitken 19. Liam Le Blanc 20. Latrell Siegwalt 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Edward Kosi
My prediction Melbourne Storm 18-30 South Sydney Rabbitohs
It seems unthinkable to tip the Storm for a sixth straight defeat, but they’re on a downward spiral and the Rabbitohs have started the year in fine form. Souths are 0-20 in Melbourne, but this is the best chance they’ve had in years to change that.
Betting tips
Melbourne are favourites, so I’m getting straight on a Rabbitohs win at 13/10. Matt Dufty is generously priced at 9/5 for an anytime try as well, after his performance last week.
Sunday 26th April – Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers
Form guide
After a strong start to the year, the Knights have lost their last two games, conceding 80 points in the process. They sit just inside the top eight still.
The Panthers got back to winning ways last weekend after losing their unbeaten run in Round Six. They beat the Dolphins 23-22 in Round Seven to remain top – two points clear of the chasing pack.
Team news
Greg Marzhew is out with concussion for the Knights, so James Schiller takes his place on the wing. Asu Kepaoa is named on the six-man bench and will make his debut if he comes on.
Casey McLean’s back from suspension for the Panthers, so Izack Tago shifts to the six-man bench. Freddy Lussick replaces the injured Mitch Kenny, so Jack Cogger joins the interchange.
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. Freddy Lussick 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. Izack Tago 19. Jack Cole 20. Luron Patea 21. Billy Scott 22. Sione Fonua
My prediction – Newcastle Knights 10-26 Penrith Panthers
I can’t see past the Panthers in this one. They’ve only lost once this year, and they’ll be confident of making it seven wins from eight here.
Betting tips
The handicap and tryscorer markets aren’t offering much value, so under 50.5 points looks good to me at 5/6. It’s the same price for Penrith to score first, lead at half-time and win, which I’ll be getting on as well.
Sunday 26th April – Manly Sea Eagles vs Parramatta Eels
Form guide
Manly are 3-0 since coach Anthony Seibold’s departure, and last week’s 38-6 win over the Cowboys saw them jump to 6th.
The Eels had a memorable win of their own in Round Seven, as they beat the Bulldogs 38-20. That victory saw them climb to 14th.
Team news
Tom Trbojevic is ruled out for Manly with a hamstring injury. Clayton Faulalo comes into the starting side in a reshuffled backline. Josh Feledy joins the six-man bench.
Sean Russell and Kelma Tuilagi are back from concussion for the Eels. Araz Nanva drops out of the 19.
Eels: 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. Toni Mataele 17. Jack de Belin 18. Kelma Tuilagi 19. Lorenzo Talataina 20. Araz Nanva 21. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 22. Teancum Brown
My prediction – Manly Sea Eagles 28-14 Parramatta Eels
Manly are on a roll right now, and despite the Eels picking up an impressive win of their own last week, it’s the Sea Eagles coming into this game with some momentum behind them.
Betting tips
Manly should be safe with a -8 handicap at 10/11. The 13+ winning margin looks tempting as well, at 6/4.
