NRL 2026 Round 2
Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels
First up in Round 2 is the Broncos and Eels. I don’t know what I was watching in the Broncos last game, but that was not the 2025 Premiers. They had their behinds handed to them (at home!) by the Panthers. Don’t get me wrong, the Panthers are obviously a good team, and have been for a while, but the Broncos couldn’t even muster up a single point in their 0-26 loss.
Meanwhile, things aren’t exactly all rosy for the Eels either. They let in 52 points against the Storm, and only scored one try in response. All the Lomax saga should be behind the Eels now, but is it always too late? We all know the record: no team has ever won the Premiership after conceding more than 50 points during a game. It’s too difficult for me to see the Broncos having two shockers to start the season.
Predicted Squads
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Deine Mariner, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Corey Jensen, Ben Hunt, Payne Haas, Ben Talty, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Cory Paix, Xavier Willison, Jack Gosiewski & Aublix Tawha
Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Bailey Simonsson, Will Penisini, Brian Kelly, Sean Russell, Jonah Pezet, Mitchell Moses, Sam Tuivaiti, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Jack Williams, Kitione Kautoga, Jack de Belin, Dylan Walker, Matt Dorey, Luca Morretti & Tallyn Da Silva
New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders
We are in New Zealand for the second game of the round, and it’s the Warriors up against the Raiders. The Warriors are enjoying some time at home after playing at Go Media Stadium last round as well. They were able to get the job done over the Roosters, who were the favourites for that one, 42-18. It was an impressive game from Tanah Boyd in particular, and it’s unlikely that coach Andrew Webster will make any changes.
It was a topsy-turvy game for the Raiders at 4 Pines Park last time out against the Sea Eagles. They started the game by conceding 14 points. Then, with six minutes to go, they held a healthy lead of 28-14, only for the game to end up in Golden Point! The Raiders did manage to just scrape across the line, though, 29-28. This game looks to be evenly poised, but I have to give the edge to the Warriors, as they are playing at home.
Predicted Squads
New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ali Leiataua, Adam Pompey, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitch Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Sam Healey, Demitric Vaimauga, Leka Halasima & Jackson Ford
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savielo Tamale, Simi Sasagi, Sebastian Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Ata Mariota, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Noah Martin, Corey Horsburgh, Jayden Brailey, Zac Hosking, Matt Timoko & Morgan Smithies
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
This game is set up to be one of the games of the round, with fierce rivals, the Roosters and Rabbitohs, doing battle again. All eyes will again be on Alex Johnson in this game, as he gets ever closer to breaking Ken Irvine’s try-scoring record. Can he do it in this game? I’m sure he’d love to against the Roosters! He needs just one more to tie Irvine’s record that has stood for 50 years, and two more to hold the record outright.
The Roosters just couldn’t put it all together against the Warriors last time out, losing 18-42, and I think they’ll be happy to be playing at home. It was a different story for the Rabbitohs, who were able to get the win over the Dolphins up at Suncorp Stadium 40-30. Many of the key Rabbitohs impressed, and I think they’ll all get pumped up for the occasion, especially considering Johnson could break records in this game.
Predicted Squads
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Sam Walker, Naufahu Whyte, Benaiah Ioelu, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Nat Butcher, Blake Steep, Connor Watson, Siua Wong, Egan Butcher & Fetalaiga Pauga
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Jye Gray, Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Jayden Sullivan, Tevita Tatola, Bronson Garlick, Keaon Koloamatangi, David Fifita, Euan Aitken, Cameron Murray, Peter Mamouzelos, Tallis Duncan, Lachlan Hubner & Sean Keppie
Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys
The Tigers play their first game of the season after having their bye last round. They are playing at Leichardt Oval (i.e. the eighth wonder of the world), where they always seem to have epic games. Coupled with the fact that they are playing the Cowboys (which always gets spicy), we should be in for a hell of a game. The Tigers put together a great pre-season, and fans are expecting a lot from them this year.
The Cowboys were far from impressive against the Knights in Las Vegas last round. The Knights did have some of their key players back, but the Cowboys were certainly the favourites coming into that clash. They ended up going down to the Knights 18-28. Braidon Burns looks set to be out for the Cowboys due to suspension, and Tom Mikaele is out due to injury. Back the Tigers to roar and get the win at the eighth wonder of the world.
Predicted Squads
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Starford To'a, Taylan May, Heamasi Makasini, Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi, Fonua Pole, Api Koroisu, Terrell May, Kai Pearce-Paul, Samuela Fainu, Alex Seyfarth, Heath Mason, Tony Sukkar, Alex Twal & Bunty Afoa
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Robert Derby, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Chester, Murray Taulagi, Jake Clifford, Tom Dearden, Coen Hess, Reed Mahoney, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki, Sam McIntyre, Reuben Cotter, Soni Luke, Matthew Lodge, Harrison Edwards & Kai O'Donnell
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm
It was a very disappointing loss for the Dragons in Vegas last time out, going down to the Bulldogs in Golden Point, 14-15. But they still put in a pretty decent performance, so there is certainly something to build on. They face another big challenge in Round 2 as they go up against the Storm. The Dragons are playing at home, though, and the fans usually do turn out for their players, and they have won the last two clashes against the Storm.
The Storm’s record of winning in the first round under coach Craig Bellamy continues on after putting the Eels to the sword. Despite losing some key players in the off-season, that didn’t stop them from flexing their muscles, winning 52-4. Alec MacDonald is set to miss this clash for the Storm after entering concussion protocols. The Dragons and Storm have played each other 43 times since 1998, and the Storm have won 29 of those games.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Dragons +12.5 | NZ$1.52 |
 | First 10 Minutes Total Points - Over 5.5 | NZ$1.68 |
 | Dragons +12.5 | NZ$1.52 |
Predicted Squads
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Christian Tuipulotu, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Setu Tu, Kyle Flanagan, Daniel Atkinson, Emre Guler, Damien Cook, Toby Couchman, Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su'A, Hamish Stewart, Hame Sele, Josh Kerr, Blake Lawrie & Ryan Couchman
Melbourne Storm - Sua Fa'alogo, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Moses Leo, Nick Meaney, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Joe Chan, Ativalu Lisati, Tui Kamikamica, Tyran Wishart, Cooper Clark, Jack Hetherington & Davvy Moale
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks
The Panthers were at their ruthless best last time out, and now they host the Sharks at Carrington Park in Bathurst. The fans always turn out in Bathurst, and it is certainly a sight to behold. It was touted as the game of the round when the 2025 Premiers went up against the Panthers. But the Panthers didn’t even let the Broncos score a single point, winning 26-0.
The Sharks were equally as ruthless, albeit against a weaker team, the Titans. In Round 1, the Sharks (who were playing at home) won 50-10 over the Titans. In good news for the Panthers, we may see Liam Martin return from a calf injury. Don’t expect any changes from the Sharks in terms of players. Both teams are coming off great wins, but the Panther's win holds more weight in my eyes. So, take the Panthers to win.
Predicted Squads
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Paul Alamoti, Thomas Jenkins, Casey McLean, Brian To'o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Isaiah Papali'i, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Jack Cogger, Luke Garner, Scott Sorensen & Kalani Going
Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, KL Iro, Sam Stonestreet, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Thomas Hazelton, Briton Nikora, Billy Burns, Jesse Colquhoun, Sifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf, Oregon Kaufusi & Braden Uele
Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights
To kick things off on Sunday, we have the Sea Eagles hosting the Knights. It was a heartbreaking loss for the Sea Eagles last time out, going down at home to the Raiders in Golden Point. That game had lots of different runs of tries by the same team, and the Sea Eagles were down by 14 points with just six minutes to go, but still managed to take it to Golden Point.
The Knights bounced back from a terrible 2025 to get the win in the opening round of the 2026 NRL season, and it was a very, very long time between drinks for the team. They had many of their key players back and proved too good for the Cowboys, 28-18. It seems as though both teams will have to do some reshuffling for this game due to player injuries. Siosiua Taukeiaho is out for the Sea Eagles, and Fletcher Sharpe is out for the Knights.
Predicted Squads
Manly Sea Eagles - Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Tolu Koula, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate, Luke Brooks, Jamal Fogarty, Taniela Paseka, Jake Simpkin, Jake Trbojevic, Haumole Olakau'atu, Ben Trbojevic, Kobe Hetherington, Joey Walsh, Brandon Wakeham, Ethan Bullemor & Nathan Brown
Newcastle Knights - Kalyn Ponga, Dominic Young, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Sandon Smith, Dylan Brown, Jacob Saifiti, Phoenix Crossland, Trey Mooney, Dylan Lucas, Jermaine McEwen, Mat Croker, Tyson Frizell, Fletcher Hunt, Thomas Cant & Pasami Saulo
Dolphins vs Gold Coast Titans
Wrapping things up for Round 2, we have two Queensland teams facing off, with the Dolphins playing host to the Titans. Both teams suffered losses in their opening round and will be looking to bounce back quickly. The Dolphins looked good in different parts of the game against the Rabbitohs, but the Rabbitohs proved too good in the end, winning by 10 points. The Titans were completely wiped off the field on the road by the Sharks, 10-50.
When will things start getting better for the Titans? I feel like they have been permanently stuck at the bottom of the ladder for many years now. I’m not sure it will get better for them in this game. The Dolphins are a decent enough team, and they should be good enough to dispatch the Titans. The two teams have played six times in their history, and the Dolphins have won five of those games.
Predicted Squads
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Daniel Saifiti, Kurt Donoghoe, Tom Flegler, Connelly Lemuelu, Tom Gilbert, Morgan Knowles, Brad Schneider, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Felise Kaufusi & Trai Fuller
Gold Coast Titans - Keano Kini, Sialetili Faeamani, Jojo Fifita, Max Feagai, Phillip Sami, AJ Brimson, Lachlan Ilias, Moeaki Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Arama Hau, Beau Fermor, Chris Randall, Kurtis Morrin, Tukimihia Simpkins, Klese Haas & Cooper Bai
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