NRL 2026 team lists: Every club’s confirmed lineup for Round 21
Round 21 opens with the Panthers trying to avoid their fourth defeat in five matches as they take on a refreshed Eels lineup.
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Friday offers a pair of matches with major finals ramifications as the Knights host the Roosters and the Bunnies take on the Storm in Sydney.
Saturday night sees the Cowboys and Broncos square off in thelatest instalment of the original Queensland Derby while the action ends with the Battle of the Beaches as the Sharks travel to Brookvale.
The Dolphins have the bye this week.
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NRL 2026 — ROUND 21
Parramatta Eels vs. Penrith Panthers
(Thursday, July 23 at CommBank Stadium, 7:50pm AEST)
Parramatta team:
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Brian Kelly
3. Jordan Samrani
4. Araz Nanva
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Ronald Volkman
7. Mitchell Moses (c)
8. Sam Tuivaiti
9. Tallyn Da Silva
10. Jack Williams
11. Kelma Tuilagi
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Jack De Bellin
14. Dylan Walker
15. Luca Moretti
16. Teancum Brown
17. Harrison Edwards
18. Joash Papalii
19. Toni Mataele
Eels team news:
Captain Mitchell Moses returns this week alongside Ronald Volkman. Luca Moretti (concussion) is also back on the bench but Junior Paulo (knee) will miss another week. Centre Will Penisini (groin) has been included on the extended reserves alongside Jonah Pezet.
Panthers team:
2. Thomas Jenkins
18. Izack Tago
3. Paul Alamoti
4. Casey McLean
5. Brian To’o
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Nathan Cleary (c)
8. Moses Leota
9. Freddy Lussick
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Billy Scott
15. Scott Sorensen
16. Liam Henry
17. Billy Phillips
19. Jack Cole
20. Jaxen Edgar
Panthers team news:
Jack Cogger is serving the second week of his two-match suspension. Recently resigned for another four years Mitch Kenny (leg) remains out for another week with Freddy Lussick named at No.9. Dylan Edwards suffered a nasty gash to his head in the loss to the Broncos and has been ruled out with Tom Jenkins to start at the back.
Newcastle Knights vs. Sydney Roosters
(Friday, July 24 at McDonald Jones Stadium, 6:00pm AEST)
Newcastle team:
1. Kalyn Ponga (c)
2. Dominic Young
3. Fletcher Hunt
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Fletcher Sharpe
7. Dylan Brown
8. Tyson Frizell
9. Phoenix Crossland
10. Trey Mooney
11. Dylan Lucas
12. Francis Manuleleua
13. Mat Croker
14. Sandon Smith
15. Cody Hopwood
16. Lachlan Crouch
17. Thomas Cant
18. Harrison Graham
19. Brodie Jones
Knights team news:
Jermaine McEwen (hamstring) and Cody Hopwood (calf) missed Round 20 with only Hopwood back this week. Reserve back James Schiller has a neck injury and is set for a month on the sidelines, while veteran Dane Gagai (calf tightness) is also out, replaced by Fletcher Hunt in the centres.
Roosters team:
1. James Tedesco (c)
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Daly Cherry-Evans
7. Sam Walker
8. Naufahu Whyte
9. Reece Robson
10. Spencer Leniu
11. Nat Butcher
12. Siua Wong
13. Victor Radley
14. Hugo Savala
15. Salesi Foketi
16. Egan Butcher
17. Connor Watson
18. Cody Ramsay
19. Taylor Losalu
Roosters team news:
Skipper James Tedesco (concussion) returns pushing Cody Ramsay to the bench. Robert Toia is also back with Hugo Savala shifting to the pine. Lindsay Collins (concussion) remains out with Spencer Leniu named at prop.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Melbourne Storm
(Friday, July 17 at Accor Stadium, 8:00pm AEST)
South Sydney team:
1. Matt Dufty
2. Alex Johnston
3. Latrell Siegwalt
4. Jack Wighton
5. Campbell Graham
6. Cody Walker (c)
7. Ashton Ward
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Brandon Smith
10. Keaon Koloamatangi11. David Fifita
12. Euan Aitken
13. Lachlan Hubner
14. Jayden Sullivan
15. Jye Gray
16. Liam Le Blanc
17. Jamie Humphreys
18. Bronson Garlick
19. John Radel
Rabbitohs team news:
Wayne Bennet has indicated Latrell Mitchell (calf) is still several weeks away with fears he may struggle to return this season. David Fifita was unsuccessful contesting the grading of his one-week ban for dangerous contact on Hudson Young in the loss to the Raiders — and will now miss two weeks instead. Cameron Murray is also set to miss multiple weeks with a calf issue in another massive blow for the Bunnies while Tallis Duncan is out with a hamstring strain.
Melbourne team:
1. Sua Fa’alogo
2. Suilagi Tuimalatu-Brown
3. Jack Howarth
4. Nick Meaney
5. Moses Leo
6. Tyran Wishart
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Harry Grant (c)
10. Josh King
11. Cooper Clark
12. Oryn Keeley
13. Trent Loiero
14. Trent Toelau
15. Alec MacDonald
16. Angus Hinchey
17. Jack Hetherington
18. Stanley Huen
19. Manaia Waitere
Storm team news:
Melbourne will be desperate to get Jahrome Hughes (hamstring) back on the park given the continued absence of his halves partner Cameron Munster (knee) — he’s been named but word is he may not play with Trent Toelau likely remain in the halves. Elsewhere in the backline Warriors-bound Will Warbrick has played his last game for the Storm after suffering a devastating Achilles injury against the Roosters. Moses Leo missed Round 20 with an illness and returns this week.
Canberra Raiders vs. Wests Tigers
(Saturday, July 25 at GIO Stadium, 3:00pm AEST)
Canberra team:
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Jed Stuart
3. Simi Sasagi
4. Matthew Timoko
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Corey Horsburgh
9. Tom Starling
10. Joe Tapine (c)
11. Zac Hosking
12. Noah Martin
13. Morgan Smithies
14. Jayden Brailey
15. Ata Mariota
16. Josh Papalii
17. Daine Laurie
18. Matty Nicholson
19. Sebastian Kris
Raiders team news:
Hudson Young suffered an Achilles rupture against the Rabbitohs in a devastating blow that ends his Raiders season and hopes for World Cup selection. Morgan Smithies comes in at lock while Matty Nicholson (shoulder) is named on the bench for the first time this season. Owen Pattie copped a one-week ban for making dangerous contact on Keaon Koloamatangi, while in the backline Sebastian Kris (hamstring) has missed the past two weeks and returns on the pine.
Tigers team:
1. Jahream Bula
2. Junior Tupou
3. Sunia Turuva
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Faalentino Tavana
6. Jarome Luai (c)
22. Adam Doueihi
8. Terrell May
9. Api Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Ethan Roberts
13. Alex Twal
14. Jared Haywood
15. Sione Fainu
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Bunty Afoa
18. Starford To’a
19. Jock Madden / 7. Javon Andrews
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Tigers team news:
Adam Doueihi successfully downgraded his careless high tackle charge from the MRC and is free to play this weekend, likely pushing Javon Andrews to the bench if not out of the 19 entirely. Latu Fainu was less fortunate, failing to overturn his ban at the judiciary and he will now miss the next three weeks. Elsewhere Benji Marshall has axed Heamasi Makasini, Jerel Skelton and Sione Fainu from his starting line-up after the Bulldogs humbling. Bunty Afoa is available after serving his one-match suspension while Patrick Herbert returns from his shoulder injury and Junior Tupou is set to make his first-grade return in the orange and black.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs. New Zealand Warriors
(Saturday, July 25 at Accor Stadium, 5:30pm AEST)
Canterbury team:
1. Connor Tracey
2. Jacob Kiraz
3. Matt Burton
4. Enari Tuala
5. Jethro Rinakama
6. Stephen Crichton (c)
7. Lachlan Galvin
8. Max King
9. Bailey Hayward
10. Leo Thompson
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Jacob Preston
13. Jaeman Salmon
14. Sean O’Sullivan
15. Josh Curran
16. Harry Hayes
17. Lipoi Hopoi
18. Jed Reardon
19. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Bulldogs team news:
Viliame Kikau returned off the bench in Round 20 and comes back into the starting 13 this week, while captain Stephen Crichton also returns in a major boost for the Bulldogs. Bronson Xerri has found himself back in NSW Cup and may need injuries to crack NRL again this season — although the sudden retirement of Marcelo Montoya helps his chances. He’s on the extended reserves.
Warriors 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. James Fisher-Harris (c)
9. Wayde Egan
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Jacob Laban
13. Erin Clark
14. Sam Healey
15.Tanner Stowers-Smith
16. Demitric Vaimauga
17. Leka Halasima
18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
20. Marata Niukore
Warriors team news:
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was initially left out of the 19 last week before being added later in the week, and he’s out of the 19 once again. Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore and Rocco Berry all ran out in NSW Cup last weekend and have been included in the extended squad.
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Brisbane Broncos
(Saturday, July 25 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7:35pm AEST)
Cowboys team:
1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Braidon Burns
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Tom Chester
5. Murray Tualagi
6. Jake Clifford
7. Tom Dearden (c)
8. Tom Mikaele
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. Heilum Luki
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Rueben Cotter (c)
14. Soni Luke
15. Griffin Neame
16. Matthew Lodge
17. Coen Hess
18. Zac Laybutt
19. Ethan King
Cowboys team news:
Tom Mikaele (concussion) is back up front this week. With captain Tom Dearden making a successful return from injury last week alongside Jaxon Purdue, Jake Clifford has been reinstated at five-eighth with Zac Laybutt back to the bench.
Broncos team:
1. Reece Walsh
2. Josiah Karapani
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Deine Mariner
6. Ezra Mam
7. Adam Reynolds (c)
8. Preston Riki
9. Cory Paix
10. Payne Haas
11. Xavier Willison
12. Jordan Riki
13. Pat Carrigan
14. Ben Hunt
15. Ben Talty
16. Va’a Semu
17. Grant Anderson
18. Billy Walters
19. Luke Gale
Broncos team news:
Billy Walters (ACL) was close to a return last week and is back this time. Brendan Piakura took another head knock against the Panthers and is in concussion protocols once again with Preston Riki coming into the starting 13. Jack Gosiewski (ribs) has not been named.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Gold Coast Titans
(Sunday, July 26 at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium, 2:00pm AEST)
St. George Illawarra team:
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Setu Tu
3. Mathew Feagai
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Tyrell Sloan
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. Luciano Leilua
16. Josh Kerr
17. Jacob Halangahu
18. Moses Suli
19. Lyhkan King-Togia
Dragons team news:
The Dragons were unlucky in their away loss to the Warriors in Round 20 and will fancy their chances this week. Tyrell Sloan is named on the wing while Kade Reed (hand) could be in line for a NSW Cup start as the club takes a cautious approach with their young half.
Gold Coast team:
1. Keano Kini
2. Dean Ieremia
3. Jojo Fifita
4. Jaylan De Groot
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. Chris Randall
14. Kurtis Morrin
15. Josh Patston
16. Klese Haas
17. Cooper Bai
18. Sam Verrills
19. Lachlan Ilias
Titans team news:
Kurtis Morrin was ruled out of Round 20 with a leg injury but has been named to return this week. Winger Dean Ieremia went on report for a nasty-looking hip drop tackle on Tolu Koula but escaped with a fine. AJ Brimson failed an HIA against the Sea Eagles and has not been included.
Manly Sea Eagles vs. Cronulla Sharks
(Sunday, July 26 at 4 Pines Park, 4:05pm AEST)
Manly team:
1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Jason Saab
3. Josh Feledy
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Tolo Koula
6. Joey Walsh
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Simione Laiafi
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic (c)
14. Nicholas Lenaz
15. Nathan Brown
16. Kobe Hetherington
17. Ethan Bullemore
18. Fletcher Baker
19. Blake Wilson
Sea Eagles team news:
Ben Trbojevic returns from concussion protocols, but brother Tom is out with yet another hamstring injury. Clayton Faulalo (hamstring) also remains out with Lehi Hopoate switching to No.1 and Tolu Koula moving to the wing to accommodate Josh Feledy in the centres. Jackson Shereb failed an HIA against the Titans and is in concussion protocols.
Sharks team:
1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. KL Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Addin Fanua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey (c)
10. Thomas Hazelton
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cam McInnes
14. Jesse Colquhoun
15. Billy Burns
16. Siosifa Talakai
17. Oregon Kaufusi
18. Hohepa Puru
19. Taku Hau Tapuha
Sharks team news:
Jesse Colquhoun returns from his knee injury but Toby Rudolf has not been named. Siosifa Talakai (elbow) was expected to be out but has been included on the bench. Jesse Ramien missed Round 20 with an illness but is back in the centres. Addin Fanua-Blake was troubled by a pectoral issue last week but is expected to play while Jayden Berrell has been left out of the squad.
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NRL RESULTS, SCORES ROUND 21:
Come back once Round 21 begins for the latest scores and results.
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