NRL 2026 team lists: Every club’s predicted lineup for Round 16

It’s another shortened round this week to follow State of Origin Game II in Melbourne on Wednesday.

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The action begins on Friday night with the Knights hosting the Dragons in Newcastle.

Saturday night sees the Bulldogs lock horns with the Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium, while a Sunday triple-header kicks off with the Warriors-Cowboys clash at the stunning new One NZ Stadium in Christchurch.

The Broncos, Eels and Rabbitohs have the bye.

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NRL 2026 — ROUND 16

Newcastle Knights vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons

(Friday, June 19 at McDonald Jones Stadium, 8:00pm AEST)

Newcastle predicted team:

1. Kalyn Ponga*
2. Dominic Young 
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best*
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Fletcher Sharpe
7. Dylan Brown
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Phoenix Crossland
10. Trey Mooney
11. Dylan Lucas*
12. Thomas Cant
13. Mat Croker

14. Harrison Graham 
15. Tyson Frizell
16. Pasami Saulo
17. Sandon Smith*
18. Cody Hopwood
19. Francis Manuleleua

Knights team news:

Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Lucas will be hoping to back up just 48 hours after Origin Game II. If Ponga is ruled out look for Fletcher Sharpe to cover at the back while Tyson Frizell would likely come into the 13 if Lucas is rested.

Bradman Best (calf) should return in the centres pushing Fletcher Hunt back to the pine, while Sandon Smith (calf) is also a chance of being named.

Young forward Jermaine McEwen is not available after being suspended by the Knights for one match following a drink-driving charge.

St. George Illawarra predicted team:

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Setu Tu
3. Moses Suli
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Mathew Feagai
6. Daniel Atkinson
7. Kyle Flanagan
8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
9. Damien Cook (c)
10. Toby Couchman 
11. Dylan Egan 
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Ryan Couchman

14. Jacob Liddle
15. Josh Kerr
16. Emre Guler
17. Blake Lawrie
18. Lyhkan King-Togia
19. Christian Tuipulotu

Dragons team news:

Jaydn Su’A has suffered a serious pectoral injury and could have played his last game for the club ahead of his switch to the Eels in 2027. Meanwhile Luciano Leilua may have also worn the Red V for the final time having requested an immediate release. 

Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) could be in line for a return from injury, potentially coming off the bench.

Wests Tigers vs. Dolphins

(Saturday, June 20 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, 3:00pm AEST)

Tigers predicted team:

1. Jahream Bula
2. Patrick Herbert 
3. Taylan May
4. Starford To’a
5. Sunia Turuva
6. Jarome Luai (c)
7. Adam Doueihi*
8. Terrell May
9. Api Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Sione Fainu
12. Tony Sukkar
13. Alex Seyfarth

14. Latu Fainu
15. Mavrik Geyer
16. Charlie Murray
17. Ethan Roberts
18. Jock Madden 
19. Bunty Afoa

Tigers team news:

Api Koroisau should return from NSW Origin duty with Latu Fainu shifting back to the bench. Adam Doueihi (shoulder) is an outside chance of making his long-awaited injury return, if not Jock Madden will hold his place in the halves.

Kai Pearce-Paul suffered a pectoral injury against the Titans and it’s feared he could be out for multiple weeks while fellow back rower Alex Twal (knee) is still a fortnight away.

Dolphins predicted team:

1.Trai Fuller
2. Jamayne Isaako*
3. Jack Bostock*
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Selwyn Cobbo*
6. Kodi Nokirima
7. Isaiya Katoa (c)
8. Tom Flegler*
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Francis Molo
11. Connelly Lemuelu
12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki*
13. Max Plath*

14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Morgan Knowles
16. Felise Kaufusi
17. Tom Gilbert
18. Ray Stone
19. Oryn Keeley

Dolphins team news:

The Dolphins should be bolstered by the return of multiple Maroons stars, however one player unlikely to feature is Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with Kristian Woolf indicating he’ll be rested with Trai Fuller set for another start at fullback.

Jamayne Isaako required minor surgery for a finger injury suffered against the Roosters and is at some risk of missing his first (ever) game for the Phins. If he’s out Tevita Naufahu should start in his place.

Jake Averillo (hand) is also close to a return but next week seems more likely.

Gold Coast Titans vs. Penrith Panthers

(Saturday, June 20 at Cbus Super Stadium, 5:30pm AEST)

Gold Coast predicted team:

1. Keano Kini
2. Jensen Taumoepeau
3. Jojo Fifita
4. AJ Brimson
5. Phillip Sami 
6. Jayden Campbell
7. Zane Harrison
8. Moeaki Fotuaika (c)
9. Oliver Pascoe
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (c)
11. Arama Hau
12. Beau Fermor 
13. Cooper Bai

14. Kurtis Morrin
15. Josh Patston
16. Luke Sommerton
17. Chris Randall
18. Klese Haas
19. Jaylan De Groot

Titans team news:

After their loss to the Tigers, the Titans will be hoping Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Jojo Fifita can back up from Maroons duty as they host the red-hot Panthers.

Penrith predicted team:

1. Dylan Edwards* 
2. Thomas Jenkins
3. Paul Alamoti 
4. Izack Tago
5. Brian To’o* 
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Jack Cogger
8. Moses Leota  
9. Freddy Lussick
10. Lindsay Smith  
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. Liam Martin
13. Liam Henry

14. Jack Cole
15. Scott Sorensen
16. Luke Garner
17. Billy Phillips
18. Billy Scott
19. Luron Patea

Panthers team news: 

Given Ivan Cleary’s long-time penchant for resting his rep stars, it would be a surprise if many of the Panthers’ NSW contingent play this weekend. That said, expect most to be named on the extended reserves just as they were following Origin Game I.

Having already been ruled out of the Blues’ lineup, Casey McLean (quad) could miss multiple weeks with Izack Tago set to slot into the centres alongside Paul Alamoti.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Manly Sea Eagles

(Saturday, June 20 at Accor Stadium, 7:35pm AEST)

Canterbury predicted team:

1. Connor Tracey
2. Jacob Kiraz
3. Bronson Xerri
4. Stephen Crichton*
5. Enari Tuala
6. Matt Burton
7. Lachlan Galvin
8. Max King
9. Kurt Mann
10. Leo Thompson
11. Sitili Tupouniua
12. Jaeman Salmon
13. Harry Hayes

14. Bailey Hayward
15. Jed Reardon
16. Jack Underhill
17. Josh Curran
18. Jethro Rinakama
19. Logan Spinks

Bulldogs team news:

Stephen Crichton (shoulder) was ruled out of Origin II and has become a week-to-week proposition. He may be named, but that doesn’t mean he’ll suit up come game time.

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Kurt Mann should return after missing the Eels clash with a nasty head cut, likely pushing Bailey Hayward back to the pine.

Manly predicted team:

1. Clayton Faulalo
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolu Koula*
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Luke Brooks
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka 
9. Jake Simpkin 
10. Kobe Hetherington
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic (c)

14. Brandon Wakeham 
15. Nathan Brown
16. Jackson Shereb
17. Ethan Bullemore
18. Josh Feledy
19. Joey Walsh

Sea Eagles team news:

Is it Turbo time? Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) is nearing a return which will pose an interesting selection dilemma for Kieran Foran given the excellent form of Clayton Faulalo.

After being controversially overlooked for Origin Game II Haumole Olakau’atu could well be on mission, so watch out Bulldogs.

New Zealand Warriors vs. North Queensland Cowboys

(Sunday, June 21 at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch, 2:00pm AEST)

Warriors predicted team:

1. Taine Tuaupiki
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 
3. Ali Leiataua
4. Adam Pompey
5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira*
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Te Maire Martin
8. Demitric Vaimauga
9. Wayde Egan
10. Jackson Ford
11. Leka Halasima*
12. Jacob Laban
13. Erin Clark 

14. Makaia Tafua
15. Tanner Stowers-Smith
16. Kayliss Fatialofa
17. Marata Niukore
18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
19. Luke Hanson

Warriors team news:

Under normal circumstances Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell would likely be given this weekend off after Origin Game II. However given the glittering occasion at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch, they’ll no doubt want to be part of the historic match so look for them both to be named on the extended reserves.

James Fisher-Harris (calf) isn’t expected back until next month while Leka Halasima (hamstring) also missed Round 15 against the Sharks and is again in some doubt.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira picked up a cork last week and it’s unclear if he’ll be available.

North Queensland predicted team:

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Zac Laybutt
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Tom Chester
5. Murray Tualagi*
6. Liam Sutton
7. Jake Clifford
8. Tom Mikaele
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. Heilum Luki 
12. Sam McIntyre
13. Rueben Cotter*

14. Soni Luke
15. Griffin Neame
16. Matthew Lodge
17. Coen Hess
18. Robert Derby
19. Ethan King

Cowboys team news:

Tom Deardon (ankle) isn’t too far away from a return but the Cowboys may want to give him one more week on the sidelines. Rueben Cotter and Murray Tualagi are backing up from Origin and could skip the trip across the Tasman.

Melbourne Storm vs. Canberra Raiders

(Sunday, June 21 at AAMI Park, 4:05pm AEST)

Melbourne predicted team:

1. Sua Fa’alogo
2. Will Warbrick
3. Manaia Waitere
4. Jack Howarth
5. Moses Leo
6. Cameron Munster*
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Stefano Utoikamanu 
9. Harry Grant*
10. Josh King
11. Cooper Clark
12. Ativalu Lisati
13. Trent Loiero*

14. Trent Toelau
15. Alec MacDonald
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Joe Chan 
18. Tyran Wishart
19. Shawn Blore

Storm team news:

Jack Howarth (leg) and Tyran Wishart (ankle) could both be back this week in what would be a huge boost for the Storm.

Harry Grant, Cameron Munster and Trent Loiero will all be hoping to back up from Origin II.

Canberra predicted team:

1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Savelio Tamale
3. Sebastian Kris
4. Matthew Timoko
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange*
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Corey Horsburgh
9. Tom Starling
10. Joe Tapine (c)
11. Hudson Young*
12. Zac Hosking
13. Jayden Brailey

14. Josh Papali’i
15. Morgan Smithies
16. Ata Mariota
17. Daine Laurie
18. Chevy Stewart 
19. Owen Pattie

Raiders team news:

Ethan Strange and Hudson Young will be fired up to go again after running out for the Blues, as the Raiders desperately try to turn their season around.

Josh Papali’i (calf) and Simi Sagai (shoulder) are chances of returning while Savelio Tamale (concussion) is likely to come straight back in to replace Jed Stuart on the wing.

Sydney Roosters vs. Cronulla Sharks

(Sunday, June 21 at Allianz Stadium, 6:15pm AEST)

Roosters predicted team:

1. James Tedesco*
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia*
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase*
6. Sam Walker*
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Naufahu Whyte 
9. Reece Robson*
10. Spencer Leniu
11. Angus Crichton
12. Siua Wong
13. Victor Radley*

14. Egan Butcher
15. Connor Watson 
16. Nat Butcher
17. Salesi Foketi
18. Cody Ramsey
19. Benaiah Ioelu

Roosters team news:

One of the hardest hit clubs with Origin commitments, it will be interesting how many Roosters stars back up after Game II.

Veteran winger Daniel Tupou (calf) could be available, however Reece Foley and centre Hugo Savala both failed HIAs against the Dolphins are unlikely to be selected.

Cronulla predicted team:

1. Will Kennedy 
2. Sam Stonestreet
3. Jesse Ramien 
4. Mawene Hiroti
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall 
7. Niwhai Puru
8. Addin Fonua-Blake*
9. Jayden Berrell
10. Toby Rudolf
11. Briton Nikora*
12. Teig Wilton 
13. Cam McInnes (c)

14. Siosifa Talakai
15. Billy Burns
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Thomas Hazelton 
18. Hohepa Puru
19. Braden Uele

Sharks team news:

Addin Fonua-Blake and Briton Nikora are on the Origin back-up but may well be rested.

Nicho Hynes (calf) and Blayke Brailey (arm) remain out while Jesse Colquhoun took a head knock last week and is in concussion protocols.

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NRL RESULTS, SCORES ROUND 16:

Come back once Round 16 begins for the latest scores and results.