NRL
Here we go rugby league fans, just eight teams remain and there are nine matches left to determine the 2026 NRL Premiers.
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The finals begin on Friday night with the first elimination final between the Rabbitohs and Knights at Allianz Stadium.
Saturday afternoon sees the Warriors hosting the Dolphins at Go Media Stadium with a home preliminary final awaiting the winner.
In the Saturday night game the Sharks and Cowboys lock horns in the second elimination final, once again at Allianz Stadium.
Week 1 finishes with the 2026 minor premiers Penrith meeting the Roosters in a heavyweight clash at CommBank Stadium.
As always fans should expect plenty of selection table subterfuge and late switches as clubs look to keep their cards close to their chest.
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NRL 2026 Finals Series — Week 1
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Newcastle Knights
(Friday September 11 at Allianz Stadium, 7:50pm AEST)
South Sydney predicted team:
1. Jye Gray
2. Alex Johnston
3. Latrell Mitchell
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. Tallis Duncan
13. Cameron Murray (c)
14. Matt Dufty
15. Lachlan Hubner
16. Sean Keppie
17. Jamie Humphreys
18. Euan Aitken*
19. Adam Elliott
Rabbitohs team news:
Tallis Duncan (hamstring) should return after sitting out Round 27, most likely in the second row to accommodate Latrell Mitchell in the centres. The other big decision for Wayne Bennett is fullback with both Matt Dufty and Jye Gray spending time in the Rabbitohs No.1 jersey this season. Rabbitohs forward Euan Aitken left the field against the Roosters with a shoulder injury and is in doubt.
Newcastle predicted team:
1. Kalyn Ponga (c)
2. Dom Young
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Fletcher Sharpe
7. Sandon Smith
8. Cody Hopwood
9. Phoenix Crossland*
10. Tyson Frizell
11. Jermaine McEwen
12.Francis Manuleleua*
13. Mat Croker
14. Fletcher Hunt
15. Thomas Cant
16. Lachlan Crouch
17. Pasami Saulo
18. Harrison Graham
19. Toby Winter
Knights team news:
The Knights are suddenly looking thin in the forwards with both starting props out for the season, Jacob Saifiti due to suspension and Trey Mooney with a broken scapula. Boom back rower Francis Manuleleua (elbow) is also under an injury cloud while Phoenix Crossland is racing the clock following knee surgery. In better news Dom Young and Tyson Frizell are both available after serving one-week suspensions.
New Zealand Warriors vs. Dolphins
(Saturday, September 12 at Go Media Stadium, 4:05pm AEST)
Warriors predicted team:
1. Taine Tuaupiki
2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
3. Ali Leiataua
4. Leka Halasima
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. Jackson Ford*
18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
19. Adam Pompey
Warriors team news:
Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita will start the finals as the Warriors halves with Luke Metcalf continuing to recover from his hamstring injury. Leka Halasima will return in the centres after being rested with a minor ankle issue with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad set to remain on the wing given the sublime fullback performance of Taine Tuaupiki in the win over Manly. In the forwards Kurt Capewell and Wayde Egan will both return after missing Round 27 while Jackson Ford is also a strong chance to come on to the bench for his first action since Round 16. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (collarbone) is unlikely to feature until later in the finals series but coach Andrew Webster has declared DWZ will come straight back into the starting side when fit.
Dolphins team:
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jack Bostock
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa (c)
8. Tom Flegler
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Tom Gilbert
11. Max Plath
12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
13. Morgan Knowles
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14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Ray Stone
16. Francis Molo
17. Felise Kaufusi
18. Connelly Lemuelu
19. Jake Averillo
Dolphins team news:
Selwyn Cobbo (ankle), Kodi Nikorima and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will all come back into the starting 13 as the Dolphins begin their first ever NRL finals campaign at close to full strength. Connelly Lemuelu made a successful injury return in Round 27 but may be used off the bench with Max Plath keeping his starting spot in the second row.
Cronulla Sharks vs. North Queensland Cowboys
(Saturday, September 12 at Allianz Stadium, 7:50pm AEST)
Cronulla predicted team:
1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Mawene Hiroti*
4. KL Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall*
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. Toby Rudolf
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Tom Hazelton
18. Billy Burns
19. Niwhai Puru
Sharks team news:
Five-eighth Braydon Trindall (shoulder) is unlikely to 100 per cent but expect the Sharks to name him for a must-win match. Tom Hazelton returns after serving his one-week ban while Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey, KL Iro and Teig Wilton will all be back after being rested in Round 27. Centre could be tricky for Craig Fitzgibbon with Jesse Ramien (pectoral) already out for the season and Mawene Hiroti struggling with a rib injury. Making matters worse rookie centre Michael Gabrael has copped a two-match suspension for his shot on Storm winger Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown and is also unavailable.
North Queensland predicted team:
1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Braidon Burns
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Tom Chester
5. Zac Laybutt
6. Jake Clifford
7. Tom Dearden (c)
8. Coen Hess
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. Heilum Luki
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Rueben Cotter*
14. Soni Luke
15. Griffin Neame
16. Tom Mikaele
17. John Bateman
18. Kai O’Donnell
19. Ethan King
Cowboys team news:
Jeremiah Nanai (knee) and Griffin Neame (foot) were rested last week and should both be back. Zac Laybutt (concussion) is also likely to come in for Robert Derby on the wing. Rueben Cotter is facing a one-week ban for his first-tackle high shot on the retiring Josh Papali’i and will need to successfully fight the charge to face the Sharks. If he loses at the judiciary he’ll miss two weeks.
Penrith Panthers vs. Sydney Roosters
(Sunday, September 13 at CommBank Stadium 4:05pm AEST)
Penrith predicted team:
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Thomas Jenkins
3. Paul Alamoti*
4. Casey McLean
5. Brian To’o
6. Jack Cogger
7. Nathan Cleary (c)
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Isaiah Papali’i*
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo*
14. Freddy Lussick
15. Scott Sorensen
16. Liam Henry
17. Billy Phillips
18. Blaize Talagi/Jack Cole
19. Luke Garner
Panthers team news:
Centre Izack Tago (knee) was replaced by Luke Garner in Round 27 but Paul Alamoti could be back this week. First-choice hooker Mitch Kenny (leg) made a successful return against the Tigers following months on the sidelines and don’t be surprised to see Isaah Yeo back at lock after playing 55 minutes off the bench against the Tigers. Jack Cogger has served his three-week ban and is likely to come back into the halves with either Jack Cole or Blaize Talagi set to miss out. Isaiah Papali’i was placed on report for a tackle on Jahream Bula late in the Tigers match and could be in trouble with the MRC.
Roosters team:
1. James Tedesco (c)
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Hugo Savala
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Naufahu Whyte
9. Reece Robson
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Siua Wong
12. Nat Butcher
13. Victor Radley*
14. Connor Watson
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Egan Butcher
17. Salesi Foketi
18. Cody Ramsay
19. Angus Crichton*
Roosters team news:
The Roosters rested nine stars in their Round 27 hammering from the Rabbitohs and all should return for the Panthers showdown. Halfback Sam Walker (ankle) remains out, possibly for the season, with Hugo Savala set to take his place in the halves alongside Daly Cherry-Evans. In the forwards Victor Radley (concussion)isexpected to be named somewhere in the 19 but Angus Crichton (foot) may need another week.
NRL RESULTS, FINALS WEEK 1:
Come back once the Week 1 finals action begins for the latest scores and results.
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