The injury bug has well and truly struck for a number of NRL clubs, with reinforcements required heading into this weekend’s games.
Brisbane were already without Ben Hunt and Reece Walsh, but are now going to be scraping to name a full squad on Tuesday afternoon. However, they could have a boost with Adam Reynolds confirming he’s a chance to play.
Parramatta’s horror season went from bad to worse in round six, while the Panthers lost their first game and one of their State of Origin stars in one fell swoop.
READ MORE: Tallis ‘in trouble’ again as ugly Broncos feud continues
READ MORE: Million-dollar man’s revival laid bare by eye-popping stat
READ MORE: ‘It’s going to be embarrassing’: Fittler’s grim Eels warning
The news is more positive for the Knights, with their marquee $1.4 million signing expected to return from an injury suffered more than a month ago.
Wide World of Sports has all the early mail ahead of round seven.
THURSDAY
North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles, QCB Stadium (7.50pm)
Jake Trbojevic had to leave with this blow to his eye. Fox League
Cowboys predicted team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tom Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Griffin Neame 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Matt Lodge 18. Mason Barber 19. Robert Derby
Cowboys team news: Murray Taulagi (concussion) will be sidelined for at least a week, with Braidon Burns (ankle) returning as the most likely replacement. Keep an eye on Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) who is closing in on a return from injury.
Sea Eagles predicted team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Paul Bryan 19. Clayton Faulalo
Sea Eagles team news: Jake Trbojevic (eye) suffered a nasty facial cut and had plenty of swelling last weekend and could be in doubt, although he has spoken to The Sydney Morning Herald and claims he will be cleared to play. Siosiua Taukeiaho (calf) is closing in on a return from injury and could slot into the front-row.
Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.
FRIDAY
Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm, GIO Stadium (6pm)
Craig Bellamy. Getty
Raiders predicted team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Seb Kris 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Daine Laurie 19. Joseph Roddy
Raiders team news: No changes flagged at this stage after a win over South Sydney.
Storm predicted team: 1. Sua Faalogo 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Manaia Waitere 5. Nick Meaney 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Cooper Clarke 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Davvy Moale 18. Lazarus Vaalepu 19. Joe Chan
Storm team news: Expect to see some changes for Melbourne after a fourth-straight loss. Joe Chan was hooked in the club’s loss to the Warriors and appears destined to be axed, potentially for a returning Shawn Blore. Young outside back Manaia Waitere could come into the starting side, while Hugo Peel is closing in on an NRL debut.
Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers, TIO Stadium Darwin (8pm)
Liam Martin and Nathan Cleary. Getty
Dolphins predicted team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Max Plath 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Brad Schneider 15. Tom Flegler 16. Ray Stone 17. Francis Molo 18. Kurt Donoghoe 19. Trai Fuller
Dolphins team news: No changes flagged at this stage despite a round five smashing and round six bye. Jeremy Marshall-King (knee) is still another week or two away.
Panthers predicted team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Tom Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Izack Tago 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Scott Sorensen 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Billy Phillips 16. Luke Garner 17. Liam Henry 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Sione Fonua
Panthers team news: Liam Martin (knee) is set for a stint on the sidelines, which likely opens the door for Scott Sorensen to start in the back-row and Liam Henry to return on the bench. Izack Tago is in line to play his first NRL game of the season, with centre Casey McLean (suspension) rubbed out for a week due to a high tackle.
SATURDAY
New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans, Go Media Stadium (3pm)
Tanah Boyd. Getty
Warriors predicted team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Marata Niukore 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 19. Luke Hanson
Warriors team news: Tanah Boyd and Tanner Stowers-Smith both suffered hamstring injuries last weekend and could be in doubt. Luke Hanson would be the replacement in the halves with Luke Metcalf (hamstring) and Te Maire Martin (leg) both sidelined. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck) and Kurt Capewell (calf) are chances of returning from injury as the Wahs look to build on their massive win against the Storm.
Titans predicted team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Lachlan Ilias 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Kurtis Morrin 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Oliver Pascoe 15. Cooper Bai 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Klese Haas 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Zane Harrison
Titans team news: No major changes after a massive win against the Eels, with forwards Josh Patston (suspension) and Klese Haas (leg) both a chance of returning.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Accor Stadium (5:30pm)
Matt Dufty in action against the Dragons in the Charity Shield. NRL Images
Rabbitohs predicted team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Campbell Graham 4. Jack Wighton 5. Ed Kosi 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Edward Kosi
Rabbitohs team news: Jye Gray (shoulder) left the field with an AC joint injury and is expected to be sidelined. Wayne Bennett has a few options to play fullback – Latrell Mitchell could shift positions and Campbell Graham could move to centres or Matt Dufty could end a lengthy NRL hiatus with a club debut. The former Dragons speedster has been carving up in NSW Cup but would need a contract upgrade in order to play. No other changes flagged at this stage despite a narrow loss to Canberra.
Dragons predicted team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mat Feagai 3. David Fale 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Hame Sele 18. Kade Reed 19. Hayden Buchanan
Dragons team news: Moses Suli (facial fracture) and Christian Tuipulotu (knee) are both expected to be sidelined, with David Fale and Mat Feagai the likely replacements in the backline. Shane Flanagan could look to make further changes with the likes of Jacob Halangahu, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Kade Reed and Lyhkan King-Togia starring in a huge win for the club’s reserve grade side last weekend. Dylan Egan (ACL) is another week or two away from returning, while Ryan Couchman (suspension) is still out.
Wests Tigers vs Brisbane Broncos, Campbelltown Sports Stadium (7:35pm)
Jarome Luai down with a knee injury in round three. NRL Images
Tigers predicted team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Patrick Herbert 4. Heamasi Makasini 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Api Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Jock Madden 19. Tony Sukkar
Tigers team news: Jarome Luai (knee) is expected to return from injury, pushing Jock Madden to the six-man bench. Young winger Tino Tavana (hamstring) was a late omission in round six and will likely be out of action again.
Broncos predicted team: 1. Jesse Arthars 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cameron Bukowski 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Ben Talty 14. Tom Duffy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Hayze Perham 19. Antonio Verhoeven
Broncos team news: Absolute carnage for the premiers with hookers Blake Mozer (jaw) and Cory Paix (concussion) both sidelined, with Cameron Bukowski expected to make his debut in the No.9 jersey. Patrick Carrigan (suspension) is out after a high tackle against the Cowboys, which will likely see Ben Talty start at lock. Adam Reynolds (groin) is still in doubt but has told Triple M the chances of him playing are “pretty good”.
“I got through a fair bit of the training today, it’s a long week and a longer turnaround, so we have time on our side,” he said.
“Our main session will be on Wednesday, so I’ll jump in for most of that. I thought Tom [Duffy] was terrific the other night, coming in under all sorts of pressure. Fell just short in the result but he can hold his head high.”
Aublix Tawha won’t be able to play either after suffering a concussion in reserve grade.
SUNDAY
Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights, Allianz Stadium (2pm)
Dylan Brown. NRL Imagery
Roosters predicted team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Hugo Savala 4. Rob Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau
Roosters team news: No changes flagged after a comeback win over Cronulla.
Knights predicted team: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Dom Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Fletcher Hunt 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Dylan Brown 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mat Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Cody Hopwood
Knights team news: Dylan Brown (knee) is expected to return, which will likely push Fletcher Sharpe to fullback and Fletcher Hunt to the centres. Tyson Frizell (ribs) could be in doubt after struggling during Sunday’s loss against the Tigers.
Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs, CommBank Stadium (4.05pm)
Kelma Tuilagi will be out this week. NRL Images
Eels predicted team: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Sean Russell 3. Will Penisini 4. Brian Kelly 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Charlie Guymer 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Luca Moretti 16. Jack de Belin 17. Teancum Brown 18. Araz Nanva 19. Lorenzo Talataina
Eels team news: Things go from bad to worse with Kelma Tuilagi and Sam Tuivati both sidelined due to concussion, while Kitione Kautoga (knee) is expected to be out with an MCL injury. Charlie Guymer will likely start in the front-row and Jack Williams will shift to the edge and Jezaiah Funa-Iuta in line for a possible call up in the second-row. Sean Russell (concussion) will return on the wing.
Bulldogs predicted team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Sitili Tupouniua 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Jake Turpin 19. Logan Spinks 20. Jethro Rinakama
Bulldogs team news: Max King (jaw) will be out of action for at least a month, which will likely see Sitili Tupouniua start at prop.