NRL 2026 Round 27
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos
We kick off the final round of the 2026 regular season with a dead rubber. The Bulldogs still had a chance to make the finals, but winning just two of their last five games didn’t help, and their 10-24 loss to the Panthers last time out sealed their fate. The 2025 Premiers have been out of contention for a while, and have been playing for pride only since then, winning just one of their last five games.
For the Bulldogs, we may see Kurt Mann return from his groin injury, plus Jonathan Sua has served his one-match ban and is available for selection again. Blake Mozer is out for the Broncos after suffering a Category 1 HIA last time out. It’s always difficult picking these true dead rubber games, but I think defence will be thrown out the window, and teams will be looking to put on one last attacking show before the season ends.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Total Points - Over 50.5 | NZ$1.90 |
 | Total Tries - Over 8.5 | NZ$1.82 |
 | Total Points - Over 50.5 | NZ$1.90 |
Predicted Squads
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Matt Burton, Bronson Xerri, Enari Tuala, Stephen Crichton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Bailey Hayward, Leo Thompson, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Josh Curran, Harry Hayes, Alekolasimi Jones, Jake Turpin & Sean O'Sullivan
Brisbane Broncos - Hayze Perham, Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Deine Mariner, Grant Anderson, Ezra Mam, Ben Hunt, Xavier Willison, Billy Walters, Payne Haas, Jaiyden Hunt, Jordan Riki, Pat Carrigan, Tom Duffy, Aublix Tawha, Jack Gosiewski, Va'a Semu, Gehamat Shibasaki & Cameron Bukowski
Gold Coast Titans vs Dolphins
The Titans play in front of their home crowd one last time this season as they come up against the Dolphins, who are finals-bound. The home side has avoided the wooden spoon this season, while the Dolphins have missed out on a top-two spot, but will finish either third or fourth. These two teams couldn’t be more opposite, with the Titans losing their last five and the Dolphins winning their last five.
It’ll be interesting to see what Kristian Woolf decides to do with his players for this game as a top-four spot is secured. Will he rest players, or look to continue the positive momentum coming into the finals? His decision will likely shape how well the Dolphins will perform in this game. No matter what, though, I’m still siding with the Dolphins; they are stacked with talent all the way through the squad.
Predicted Squads
Gold Coast Titans - Keano Kini, Jaylan De Groot, Jojo Fifita, AJ Brimson, Phillip Sami, Jayden Campbell, Lachlan Ilias, Moeaki Fotuaika, Luke Sommerton, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Kurtis Morrin, Josh Patston, Cooper Bai, Arama Hau, Klese Haas, Chris Randall, Bodhi Sharpley, Sam Verrills & Siale Faeamani
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Kodi Nokirima, Isaiya Katoa, Tom Flegler, Jeremy Marshall-King, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles, Kurt Donoghoe, Francis Molo, Felise Kaufusi, Ray Stone, Brad Schneider & Jake Averillo
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters
These two sides do not like each other, but this game is bigger than that, as we see Jai Arrow back once again to notch up his 100th game for the Rabbitohs. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when he walked onto the field last game, and we’ll see more of the same in this game as he takes the field for the last time. While there’s so much emotion around this match, there’s still a game to be played, and the Rabbitohs have sixth place on the ladder to try and protect.
The Roosters have seemingly fallen off a cliff in the last two matches. They were right in there fighting it out for the Minor Premiership, but now have to settle for either third or fourth. Considering their top-four spot is confirmed, will some players be rested? One player that won’t be in this game is Sam Walker, who picked up a syndesmosis injury last time out. Walker will miss several weeks in a massive blow to the Roosters' chances in the finals.
Predicted Squads
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Matt Dufty, Alex Johnston, Tallis Duncan, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Jayden Sullivan, Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith, Keaon Koloamatangi, David Fifita, Lachlan Hubner, Jai Arrow, Cameron Murray, Jye Gray, Latrell Mitchell, Sean Keppie, Euan Aitken, Peter Mamouzelos & Jamie Humphreys
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Hugo Savala, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson, Lindsay Collins, Salesi Foketi, Siua Wong, Nat Butcher, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Angus Crichton, Egan Butcher, Cody Ramsay & Benaiah Ioelu
New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles
Realistically, it’s a two-horse race between the Warriors and the Panthers for the Minor Premiership, and the Warriors are up first. They play the Sea Eagles at home, and a win on Saturday puts significant pressure on the Panthers to win their game on Sunday afternoon over the Tigers (if they actually care about the Minor Premiership). We’ll have to see how this one plays out, but the Warriors won’t finish lower than second.
A top two spot is really all the Warriors need to have a home final all the way up until the Grand Final, but they’ll likely still be aiming for just the second Minor Premiership in the club’s history. Interestingly enough, we haven’t seen the Warriors and Sea Eagles play each other this round. The Warriors are motoring home in the regular season, and the Sea Eagles have won their last two games, but it’s too little too late for the Manly side.
Predicted Squads
New Zealand Warriors - Taine Tuaupiki, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Ali Leiataua, Leka Halasima, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Te Maire Martin, Chanel Harris-Tavita, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitch Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Sam Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Luke Hanson & Jett Cleary
Manly Sea Eagles - Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Josh Feledy, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate, Clayton Faulalo, Jamal Fogarty, Simione Laiafi, Brandon Wakeham, Nathan Brown, Haumole Olakau'atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Nicholas Lenaz, Corey Waddell, Ethan Bullemor, Taniela Paseka & Onitoni Large
North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders
It was a little touch-and-go there, but a win over the Tigers last time out confirms the Cowboys will be playing finals footy. Plus, they get to stay at home for this clash against the Raiders (who won’t be playing finals). The Cowboys haven’t exactly been the model of consistency, and the perfect example of this is across their last five games, where they’ve gone W-L-W-L-W, but they’ve just scraped through to the finals.
For the home side, both Murray Tualagi and Zac Laybutt are out with concussion. Murray Tualagi is set to miss several weeks, which all but ends his NRL career for the time being, as he is moving to French rugby next season. Big Papa will play his final NRL game before retirement. Both Corey Horsburgh and Morgan Smithies will play their last game for the Raiders as well. We won’t see Zac Hosking in this clash, as he is out with a hamstring injury.
Predicted Squads
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Chester, Robert Derby, Jake Clifford, Tom Dearden, Griffin Neame, Reed Mahoney, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki, Jeremiah Nanai, Rueben Cotter, Soni Luke, Tom Mikaele, John Bateman, Coen Hess, Kai O'Donnell & Ethan King
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart, Savelio Tamale, Matthew Timoko, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Josh Papalii, Owen Pattie, Joe Tapine, Ata Mariota, Matty Nicholson, Morgan Smithies, Tom Starling, Vena Patuki-Case, Corey Horsburgh, Daine Laurie, Joe Roddy & Coby Black
Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm
The Sharks were fighting it out for a top four spot not that long ago, but it looks like the Cronulla side will have to settle for fifth. The way the Sharks have been playing as of late has many people questioning whether they are genuine contenders, or simply just making up the numbers. In the last five games, they’ve lost to the Eels, Raiders, and Dragons, all teams that aren’t playing finals footy.
Last time out, the Storm thrashed the Broncos, winning 46-20, and I reckon they’re looking to go out with a bang. If they can’t make the finals, they want to ruin the confidence of the Sharks. Addin Fonua-Blake may be rested for the Sharks in this one after picking up what looks to be an MCL sprain. The Sharks are really missing Braydon Trindall, and it looks like he’ll be out for one more week at least. This one is being played at Ocean Protect Stadium, but I’m going with the Storm.
Predicted Squads
Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Mawene Hiroti, KL Iro, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Niwhai Puru, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fanua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Jesse Colquhoun, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Cam McInnes, Siosifa Talakai, Billy Burns, Oregon Kaufusi, Toby Rudolf, Hohepa Puru & Riley Pollard
Melbourne Storm - Sua Fa’alogo, Suilagi Tuimalatu-Brown, Tyran Wishart, Nick Meaney, Moses Leo, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Oryn Keeley, Trent Loiero, Trent Toelau, Alec MacDonald, Angus Hinchey, Cooper Clark, Marion Seve & Jack Hetherington
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels
The Dragons have the wooden spoon this season, but haven’t been playing as poorly as of late. They even managed back-to-back wins over the Sharks and Tigers recently. However, they backed that up with two losses to the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles. The Eels are a side that has come more alive after knowing they have nothing to lose. This includes a dominant 38-18 win over the Sharks last time out.
These two sides played each other back in Round 3, and it was the Eels that got a 30-20 victory. When looking into both sides’ last five matches, there is a recurring theme: points. I think more points are on the cards for this game. The weather looks good as well, and with nothing really to play for, both sides could be looking to put on a show. I can see both the Dragons and Eels focusing a lot more on their attack than their defence.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
| Total Points - Over | NZ$TBA |
| Total Points - Over | NZ$TBA |
| Total Points - Over | NZ$TBA |
Predicted Squads
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Daniel Atkinson, Setu Tu, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Tyrell Sloan, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan, Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, Damien Cook, Toby Couchman, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart, Ryan Couchman, Josh Kerr, Jacob Halangahu, Jacob Webster, Blake Lawrie, Mathew Feagai & Kade Reed
Parramatta Eels - Apa Twidle, Brian Kelly, Will Penisini, Sean Russell, Josh Addo-Carr, Ronald Volkman, Mitchell Moses, Luca Moretti, Tallyn Da Silva, Junior Paulo, Jack Williams, Kitione Kautoga, Saxon Pryke, Dylan Walker, Jack De Bellin, Teancum Brown, Harrison Edwards, Jonah Pezet & Kelma Tuilagi
Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers
By Sunday, the Panthers will know what they have to do. They would have watched the Warriors either win or lose, and by how many. This makes things slightly easier, but just because you know what you have to do doesn’t mean you can automatically deliver. The Tigers have been a thorn in the Roosters' side, and with so many former Panthers in their squad, they should be up for this fight.
The Panthers also don’t exactly come into this one in blistering form, but they have managed to win their last two games. Plus, as we’ve seen in the past, Ivan Cleary may choose to rest a lot of his stars considering a top-two spot is virtually a guarantee. For the Tigers, after a shock win over the Roosters two games back, they went down to the Cowboys, 10-24. If Cleary chooses to rest a lot of his players, the Tigers are in with a shout.
Predicted Squads
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins, Blaize Talagi, Casey McLean, Brian To'o, Jack Cole, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Freddy Lussick, Liam Henry, Isaiah Papali'i, Liam Martin, Lindsay Smith, Billy Scott, Scott Sorensen, Luke Garner, Billy Phillips, Luron Patea & Jaxen Edgar
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Solomone Saukuru, Patrick Herbert, Junior Tupou, Jarome Luai, Jock Madden, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Tony Sukkar, Alex Twal, Heath Mason, Sione Fainu, Alex Seyfarth, Tristan Hope, Bunty Afoa & Jeral Skelton
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