NRL

The final round of the 2026 regular season has arrived and the all-important order of the top eight is set to be decided along with the minor premiership.

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Two teams that won’t play finals kick things off on Thursday night as the Bulldogs welcome the Broncos to Accor Stadium.

Friday night sees an epic pre-finals showdown between the Roosters and Rabbitohs at Allianz.

The Warriors host the Sea Eagles on Saturday afternoon with the 2026 minor premiership almost within reach, before the Panthers and Tigers close out the regular season on Sunday.

The Knights have the final round bye while severals stars are set to be rested ahead of the finals.

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NRL 2026 — ROUND 27

Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Brisbane Broncos

(Thursday, September 3 at Accor Stadium, 7:50pm AEST)

Canterbury predicted team:

1. Connor Tracey
2. Jacob Kiraz
3. Matt Burton
4. Bronson Xerri
5.Enari Tuala
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. Kurt Mann*
15. Josh Curran
16. Harry Hayes
17. Alekolasimi Jones
18. Jake Turpin
19. Sean O’Sullivan

Bulldogs team news:

Kurt Mann (groin) missed Round 26 but could be back this time. Jonathan Sua has served his one-week ban and is available for selection.

Brisbane predicted team:

1. Hayze Perham
2. Josiah Karapani
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Deine Mariner
5. Grant Anderson
6. Ezra Mam 
7. Ben Hunt
8. Xavier Willison
9. Billy Walters
10. Payne Haas
11. Jaiyden Hunt
12. Jordan Riki
13. Pat Carrigan (c)

14. Tom Duffy
15. Aublix Tawha
16. Jack Gosiewski
17. Va’a Semu
18. Gehamat Shibasaki
19. Cameron Bukowski

Broncos team news:

The Broncos will be glad when this campaign is finished. For their final match of 2026 they will be missing Blake Mozer who suffered a Category 1 HIA against the Storm with young Cameron Bukowski a chance to get another call-up.

Gold Coast Titans vs. Dolphins

(Friday, September 4 at Cbus Super Stadium, 6:00pm AEST)

Gold Coast predicted team:

1. Keano Kini
2. Jaylan De Groot
3. Jojo Fifita*
4. AJ Brimson
5. Phillip Sami
6. Jayden Campbell
7. Lachlan Ilias 
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Luke Sommerton
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (c)
11. Kurtis Morrin
12. Josh Patston
13. Cooper Bai

14. Arama Hau
15. Klese Haas
16. Chris Randall
17. Bodhi Sharpley
18. Sam Verrills
19. Siale Faeamani

Titans team news:

Jojo Fifita (hip) missed Round 26 and Siale Faeamani is again set to take his place in the centres if he’s ruled out. Beau Fermor (ribs) remains in doubt. Oliver Pascoe left the field with a right shoulder injury against the Rabbitohs and his season is over a week early.

Dolphins predicted team:

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
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. Tom Gilbert
11. Max Plath
12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
13. Morgan Knowles

14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Francis Molo
16. Felise Kaufusi
17. Ray Stone
18. Brad Schneider
19. Jake Averillo

Dolphins team news:

Connelly Lemuelu (hamstring) is 50/50 with Max Plath likely to again start in the second row. Tom Flegler, Kurt Donoghoe and Morgan Knowles were all placed on report in the Roosters win but have escaped with fines and are free to play. With a top four spot secured Kristian Woolf may be tempted to rest a few stars ahead of the club’s maiden finals campaign.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Sydney Roosters

(Friday, September 4 at Allianz Stadium, 8:00pm AEST)

South Sydney predicted team:

1. Jye Gray
2. Alex Johnston
3. Tallis Duncan
4. Jack Wighton
5. Campbell Graham
6. Cody Walker
7. Jayden Sullivan
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Brandon Smith
10. Keaon Koloamatangi
11. David Fifita
12. Lachlan Hubner
23. Jai Arrow

13. Cameron Murray (c)
15. Matt Dufty
16. Latrell Mitchell
17. Sean Keppie
18. Euan Aitken
19. Peter Mamouzelos
20. Jamie Humphreys*

Rabbitohs team news:

Latrell Mitchell (nerve) returned off the bench in Round 26 and may stay there for another week as the Bunnies take a cautious approach with their backline superstar. Jamie Humphreys (ankle) continues to be a week-to-week proposition. Jai Arrow will once again start the match to bring up 100 appearances for the Rabbitohs.

Roosters predicted team:

1. James Tedesco (c)
2. Daniel Tupou*
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Daly Cherry-Evans
7. Hugo Savala
8. Naufahu Whyte 
9. Reece Robson*
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Salesi Foketi
12. Siua Wong
13. Nat Butcher

14. Connor Watson 
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Victor Radley*
17. Egan Butcher
18. Cody Ramsay
19. Benaiah Ioelu

Roosters team news:

In a pre-finals disaster halfback Sam Walker limped off with a syndesmosis injury against the Dolphins and could miss the rest of the season. No.9 Reece Robson also came left the field for an HIA in the dying minutes of the match suffering pins and needles but is set to be named. Daniel Tupou (shoulder) and Victor Radley (concussion) are close to returns but Angus Crichton (foot) is likely to need another week or two.

New Zealand Warriors vs. Manly Sea Eagles

(Saturday, September 5 at Go Media Stadium, 3:00pm AEST)

Warriors predicted team:

1. Taine Tuaupiki
2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
3. Ali Leiataua
4. Leka Halasima
5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
6. Te Maire Martin*
7. Chanel Harris-Tavita*
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. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
18. Luke Hanson
19. Jett Cleary

Warriors team news:

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is available after serving his two-week suspension. Te Maire Martin (hamstring) and Chanel Harris-Tavita both sat out Round 26 but could return this week for a pre-finals hit-out. Luke Laulilii is in concussion protocols after a Category 1 HIA against the Knights. Kurt Capewell picked up an accidental head knock from teammate Leka Halasima and could also be in some doubt.

Manly predicted team:

1. Tom Trbojevic (c)
2. Jason Saab
3. Josh Feledy
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Clayton Faulalo
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Simione Laiafi
9. Brandon Wakeham
10. Nathan Brown
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic

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14. Jake Simpkin
15. Nicholas Lenaz 
16. Corey Waddell
17. Ethan Bullemor 
18. Taniela Paseka*
19. Onitoni Large

Sea Eagles team news:

Ethan Bullemor should return this week and Taniela Paseka (knee) is also a chance to be named, most likely on the bench.

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Canberra Raiders

(Saturday, September 5 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 5:30pm AEST)

North Queensland predicted team:

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Braidon Burns
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Tom Chester
5. Robert Derby
6. Jake Clifford
7. Tom Dearden (c)
8. Griffin Neame
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. Heilum Luki
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Rueben Cotter

14. Soni Luke
15. Tom Mikaele
16. John Bateman
17. Coen Hess
18. Kai O’Donnell
19. Ethan King

Cowboys team news:

Tom Dearden (ankle) and Jeremiah Nanai (hamstring) made successful injury returns in Round 26 but Murray Tualagi (concussion) has been ruled out for up to six weeks, meaning he’s almost certainly played his final game before heading to French rugby. Zac Laybutt (concussion) will miss this week after a Category 1 HIA against the Tigers.

Canberra predicted team:

1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Jed Stuart
3. Savelio Tamale
4. Matthew Timoko
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Josh Papalii
9. Owen Pattie 
10. Joe Tapine (c)
11. Ata Mariota
12. Matty Nicholson
13. Morgan Smithies

14. Tom Starling
15. Vena Patuki-Case
16. Corey Horsburgh
17. Coby Black
18. Joe Roddy
19. Daine Laurie

Raiders team news:

Josh Papali’i makes his final NRL appearance while Corey Horsburgh and Morgan Smithies play their last games for the Raiders before linking with the Bears in 2027. Zac Hosking is out with a hamstring injury while Simi Sasagi continues to be in doubt as he manages a shoulder issue. Former Bronco Coby Black could be in line for an NRL debut.

Cronulla Sharks vs. Melbourne Storm

(Saturday, September 5 at Ocean Protect Stadium, 7:35pm AEST)

Cronulla predicted team:

1. Will Kennedy 
2. Sione Katoa
3. Mawene Hiroti 
4. KL Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Niwhai Puru
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Addin Fanua-Blake*
9. Blayke Brailey (c)
10. Jesse Colquhoun
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton 
13. Cam McInnes

14. Siosifa Talakai
15. Billy Burns
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Toby Rudolf
18. Hohepa Puru
19. Riley Pollard

Sharks team news:

Addin Fonua-Blake suffered a suspected MCL sprain against the Eels and could be rested ahead of the finals now the top four is out of reach. Five-eighth Braydon Trindall (shoulder) will miss another week but is aiming for Week 1 of the finals. Tom Hazelton has copped a one-week ban for his shot on Eels five-eighth Ronald Volkman.

Melbourne predicted team:

1. Sua Fa’alogo
2. Suilagi Tuimalatu-Brown
3. Tyran Wishart
4. Nick Meaney
5. Moses Leo
6. Cameron Munster
7.Jahrome Hughes 
8. Stefano Utoikamanu 
9. Harry Grant (c)
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Oryn Keeley
13. Trent Loiero

14. Trent Toelau
15. Alec MacDonald
16. Angus Hinchey
17. Cooper Clark
18. Marion Seve
19. Jack Hetherington

Storm team news:

The final match of a disappointing year for the Storm. Don’t expect too many changes from the team that belted the Broncos in Round 26.

St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Parramatta Eels

(Sunday, September 6 at WIN Stadium, 2:00pm AEST)

St. George Illawarra predicted team:

1. Daniel Atkinson
2. Setu Tu
3. Moses Suli
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Tyrell Sloan
6. Lyhkan King-Togia
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. Josh Kerr
15. Jacob Halangahu
16. Jacob Webster
17. Blake Lawrie
18. Mathew Feagai
19. Kade Reed

Dragons team news:

The end of a long and at times painful season. The Dragons were humbled by the Sea Eagles in Round 26 and will want to deliver a much-improved showing for their home fans in Wollongong and Damien Cook’s last game for the Red V.

Parramatta predicted team:

1. Apa Twidle
2. Brian Kelly
3. Will Penisini
4. Sean Russell
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Ronald Volkman
7. Mitchell Moses (c)
8. Luca Moretti
9. Tallyn Da Silva
10. Junior Paulo
11. Jack Williams
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Saxon Pryke

14. Dylan Walker
15. Jack De Bellin
16. Teancum Brown
17. Harrison Edwards
18. Jonah Pezet
19. Kelma Tuilagi

Eels team news:

Dylan Walker, Sean Russell and Apa Twidle are all set to play their final match for the club while an extended reserves spot may be as close as Kelma Tuilagi and Jonah Pezet get to on-field farewells. Junior Paulo was put on report for a hip-drop in Round 26 but escaped with a fine.

Penrith Panthers vs. Wests Tigers

(Sunday, September 6 at CommBank Stadium, 4:05pm AEST)

Penrith predicted team:

1. Dylan Edwards*
2. Thomas Jenkins*
3. Blaize Talagi*
4. Casey McLean*
5. Brian To’o*
6. Jack Cole
7. Nathan Cleary* (c)
8. Moses Leota*  
9. Freddy Lussick*
10. Liam Henry*
11. Isaiah Papali’i*
12. Liam Martin*
13. Lindsay Smith*

14. Billy Scott
15. Scott Sorensen
16. Luke Garner
17. Billy Phillips
18. Luron Patea
19. Jaxen Edgar

Panthers team news:

The race for the minor premiership is still up for grabs, but with a top two finish assured Ivan Cleary may still choose to rest his stars (as he tends to do at this time of year) ahead of the main objective: a fifth premiership in six years. One player who definitely won’t feature in Round 27 is centre Izack Tago who left the field again the Bulldogs with a knee injury and is set for multiple weeks on the sidelines. He could be replaced by a returning Paul Alamoti (hamstring) or potentially Blaize Talagi if Alamoti is held back before the finals. There is also growing optimism that hooker Mitch Kenny (leg) could finally be cleared to make a return after months on the sidelines.

Tigers predicted team:

1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Solomone Saukuru
4. Patrick Herbert
5. Junior Tupou
6. Jarome Luai* (c)
7. Jock Madden
8. Terrell May
9. Api Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Tony Sukkar
13. Alex Twal*

14. Heath Mason
15. Sione Fainu
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Tristan Hope
18. Bunty Afoa
19. Jeral Skelton

Tigers team news:

Alex Twal (concussion) could return, pushing Alex Seyfarth back to the bench. Jarome Luai suffered a leg injury against the Cowboys last Saturday night and is in doubtfor his final game before joining the Eels in 2027.

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NRL RESULTS, SCORES ROUND 27:

Come back once Round 27 begins for the latest scores and results.