NRL 2026 Round 12 – Betting Tips & Predictions

NRL 2026 Round 12
With some key players missing due to Origin commitments, it can sometimes throw up a curveball or two. The Dragons still haven’t managed to get their first win on the board, while the Warriors remain hot on the heels of the Panthers. As always, two points are on the line, and with the ladder still quite bunched, those points are a hot commodity.
Make sure you’re ready as soon as we kick off on Thursday night with all the best NRL betting tips from the BettingTop10 team. Get all your bets sorted now!
Round 12 Fixtures
| Fixtures | Info (NZDT) | Home Odds | Away Odds |
| Canberra Raiders vs Dolphins | GIO Stadium, Thursday May 21, 9.50pm | NZ$1.95 | NZ$1.83 |
| Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm | Accor Stadium, Friday May 22, 10pm | NZ$1.80 | NZ$2.00 |
| St. George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors | Jubilee Stadium, Saturday May 23, 7.30pm | NZ$4.50 | NZ$1.20 |
| Manly Sea Eagles vs Gold Coast Titans | 4 Pines Park, Saturday May 23, 9.35pm | NZ$1.25 | NZ$4.00 |
| North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Sunday May 24, 6.05pm | NZ$1.71 | NZ$2.14 |
Canberra Raiders vs Dolphins
To kick Round 12 off, we have the Raiders up against the Dolphins. The Raiders had their bye last round and will be looking to make up for their 18-30 loss to the Panthers last time out. They’ll face a difficult task in the Dolphins, though, as the team in red is flying. They’ve won three games in a row, including wins over the Storm, Bulldogs, and most recently, the Rabbitohs.
The Raiders will lose two players to Origin, Hudson Young and Ethan Strange, while Simi Sasagi is likely to be out for a few weeks with a shoulder injury. The Dolphins have been fairly significantly impacted by Origin, with five of their stars missing: Max Plath, Tom Flegler, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo (Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is named in the Maroons’ squad as the 20th man and should be free to play in this game).
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
| Total Points - Over 46.5 | NZ$1.61 | |
| 1 Half Total Points - Over 24.5 | NZ$1.91 | |
| Total Points - Over 46.5 | NZ$1.61 |
Predicted Squads
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale, Sebastian Kris, Matthew Timoko, Jed Stuart, Daine Laurie, Ethan Sanders, Corey Horsburgh, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Zac Hosking, Ata Mariota, Jayden Brailey, Owen Pattie, Morgan Smithies, Jordan Uta, Chevy Stewart, Jake Clydsdale & Myles Martin
Dolphins - Trai Fuller, Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock, Herbie Farnworth, Tevita Naufahu, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Tom Gilbert, Jeremy Marshall-King, Francis Molo, Connelly Lemuelu, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles, Kurt Donoghoe, Ray Stone, Felise Kaufusi, Oryn Keeley, Lewis Symonds & Brad Schneider
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm
The only Friday night game this round sees the Bulldogs welcome the Storm to Accor Stadium. These are two teams sitting next to each other on the ladder, but not where you’d expect, in 13th and 14th spot! The Bulldogs have lost their last five games to the Eels, Broncos, Cowboys, Dolphins and Sharks. Meanwhile, the Storm seem to be on the comeback trail with back-to-back wins over the Tigers and Eels.
We’ll likely see plenty of changes for the Bulldogs, Stephen Crichton is in the Blues squads, plus a couple of injuries as well. The Storm have almost always been impacted by Origin, and this season is no different. The likes of Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero are all off for Origin duty. With both teams missing some key stars, it does level the playing field somewhat, and I have to give the edge to the Storm, who are in better form.
Predicted Squads
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Marcelo Montoya, Bronson Xerri, Matt Burton, Enari Tuala, Lachlan Galvin, Sean O'Sullivan, Max King, Kurt Mann, Leo Thompson, Sitili Tupouniua, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Bailey Hayward, Harry Hayes, Sam Hughes, Jethro Rinakama, Lipoi Hopoi & Alekolasimi Jones
Melbourne Storm - Sua Fa’alogo, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Moses Leo, Trent Toelau, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Gabriel Satrick, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Ativalu Lisati, Alec MacDonald, Stanley Huen, Cooper Clark, Davvy Moale, Joe Chan, Lazarus Vaalepu & Preston Conn
Key NRL Betting Influencers - Round 12
A lot is happening this round, but here are the key factors that will most likely impact your bets:
- Both the Raiders and Dolphins may be missing some of their stars due to Origin, but they tend to pile on the points when they play each other. In the last two games, they’ve scored 86 and 68.
- The Bulldogs and Storm will have to do some reshuffling for this game. While the Storm are on the road, it’s hard to see the Bulldogs come out of the slump they’re in, and the Storm are starting to build.
- A host of players are out for the Warriors, and they’re on the road, but it’s really hard to tip the Dragons at the moment. They could keep this one close-ish, but unlikely to get the win.
Multi of the Week
My multi of the week comes across three different games in Round 12:
- Leg 1 - Canberra Raiders vs Dolphins
- Leg 2 - Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm
- Leg 3 - St. George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors
| Legs | Odds |
| Total Points - Over 46.5 | NZ$1.61 |
| Storm to win | NZ$2.00 |
| Warriors -8.5 | NZ$1.57 |
| Bet NZ$10 to win NZ$50.70 with Betista | |
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors
Can the Dragons finally notch up their first win of the season against a team that is missing a couple of Origin stars? The Dragons only managed six points against the Panthers last time out, and the most points they have scored in the last five games have been 18. Meanwhile, the Warriors are sitting in second spot on the ladder and have a nice winning streak going, posting 30+ points regularly.
The Dragons don’t have to worry too much about Origin selection, and Jaydn Su'A should return to the fold after serving his suspension. The Warriors will miss both Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett due to Origin, but surprisingly not Jackson Ford, so that’s a fairly big win for the team. It looks like Tanah Boyd is out for the season, though, after an ACL injury. You’d have to think the Dragons will eventually win, but I don’t think it’ll happen in this game.
Predicted Squads
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Setu Tu, Hayden Buchanan, Valentine Holmes, Christian Tipulotu, Daniel Atkinson, Kyle Flanagan, Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, Damien Cook, Toby Couchman, Dylan Egan, Jaydn Su'A, Hamish Stewart, Luciano Leilua, Emre Guler, Josh Kerr, Ryan Couchman, Blake Lawrie & Lyhkan King-Togia
New Zealand Warriors - Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ali Leiataua, Adam Pompey, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Sam Healey, Te Maire Martin, Demitric Vaimauga, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Luke Hanson & Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Manly Sea Eagles vs Gold Coast Titans
Wrapping Saturday up, we see the Sea Eagles and the Titans fight it out. The Sea Eagles' great run of form continues, and they have won four of their last five games, with their only loss coming at the hands of the Panthers, 16-18. The Titans haven’t been faring as well, losing their last four games in a row, going down to the Warriors, Raiders, Roosters, and Knights.
Two players are out for Origin duty for the Sea Eagles, Haumole Olakau'atu and Tolu Koula. Brandon Wakeham is set to return from suspension, but Lehi Hopoate faces a one-match ban for running into the referee last time out. The Titans will be missing both Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Jojo Fifita thanks to Origin, and Chris Randall is also out due to a head knock. The Sea Eagles are the better team, and at home, they should get the job done.
Predicted Squads
Manly Sea Eagles - Clayton Faulalo, Jason Saab, Josh Feledy, Reuben Garrick, Blake Wilson, Luke Brooks, Jamal Fogarty, Taniela Paseka, Brandon Wakeham, Ethan Bullemor, Kobe Hetherington, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Nathan Brown, Simione Laiafi, Jackson Shereb, Joey Walsh & Zach Dockar-Clay
Gold Coast Titans - Keano Kini, Jensen Taumoepeau, Max Feagai, AJ Brimson, Phillip Sami, Jayden Campbell, Zane Harrison, Moeaki Fotuaika, Oliver Pascoe, Klese Haas, Arama Hau, Beau Fermor, Cooper Bai, Kurtis Morrin, Josh Patston, Luke Sommerton, Lachlan Ilias, Jaylan De Groot & Tuki Simpkins
North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
In the final game of Round 12, the Rabbitohs hit the road and head up to North Queensland to take on the Cowboys. These are two teams sitting inside the top eight, and both come into this game in some mixed form. Now is the time to string a few wins together, and both have won three of their last five games. Last time out, the Cowboys proved too good for the Roosters in a low-scoring affair, 18-12, while the Rabbitohs were disappointing against the Dolphins, 10-32.
Braidon Burns will be spending some time on the sidelines for the Cowboys after injuring his hamstring, but Murray Taulagi has a chance to return. Jason Taumalolo was rested last week and should be back for this game, and we’ll see Reuben Cotter miss this game due to Origin. For the Bunnies, Latrell Mitchell and Campbell Graham are out, due to injury, and Cameron Murray has been called up to Origin duties. In better news, David Fifita, Jamie Humphreys, and Alex Johnston all may return in this game.
Predicted Squads
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Murray Taulagi, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Chester, Zac Laybutt, Liam Sutton, Jake Clifford, Thomas Mikaele, Reed Mahoney, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki, Sam McIntyre, Matthew Lodge, Xavier Kerrisk, Griffin Neame, Coen Hess, Kai O'Donnell, Robert Derby & Ethan King
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Jye Gray, Alex Johnston, Latrell Siegwalt, Tallis Duncan, Edward Kosi, Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Keaon Koloamatangi, Bronson Garlick, Sean Keppie, Euan Aitken, Lachlan Hubner, David Fifita, Matt Dufty, Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Tevita Tatola, Adam Elliott, Ashton Ward & Liam Le Blanc
Your Full Sports Betting Experience at BettingTop10
Now that you’ve got your NRL betting tips sorted, you’re all set, right? Well, yes, but there’s still so much more going on at BettingTop10 NZ that you can get behind! Our experts review all the top NRL betting sites, so you know where the best places are to get your bets on. This includes a mixture of existing and new betting sites.
We also take a look at the best betting apps going around, so if you’re on the go a lot, it’s worth checking that out. Free bets aren’t forgotten about either; we see which sites have the best bonuses for you to take advantage of. Along with the best betting sites NZ has to offer, we have online casino reviews, so if that’s more to your liking, see what we have to say!
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Katherine is a sports betting and igaming writer from Sydney, Australia. She has worked within the sports industry for almost a decade now, which spans virtually her entire working career. Her passion for sports began at a very young age, and now she can’t go a day without watching sports. She has previously worked at one of the biggest horse racing sites in Australia, as well as at an Australian bookmaker.

