Round 21 opens with the Panthers trying to avoid their fourth defeat in five matches as they take on a refreshed Eels lineup.
Friday offers a pair of matches with major finals ramifications as the Knights host the Roosters and the Bunnies take on the Storm in Sydney.
Saturday night sees the Cowboys and Broncos square off in the latest instalment of the original Queensland Derby while the action ends with the Battle of the Beaches as the Sharks travel to Brookvale.
The Dolphins have the bye this week.
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NRL 2026 – ROUND 21Parramatta Eels vs. Penrith Panthers(Thursday, July 23 at CommBank Stadium, 7:50pm AEST)
Parramatta predicted team:
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Brian Kelly
3. Jordan Samrani
4. Araz Nanva
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Jonah Pezet
7. Mitchell Moses (c)
8. Sam Tuivaiti
9. Tallyn Da Silva
10. Jack Williams (c)
11. Kelma Tuilagi
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Jack De Bellin
14. Dylan Walker
15. Toni Mataele
16. Luca Moretti
17. Harrison Edwards
18. Joash Papalii/Ronald Volkman*
19. Junior Paulo
Eels team news:
Captain Mitchell Moses should return this week. With Ronald Volkman suffering a heavy head knock and facial injuries in Round 19, Jonah Pezet will likely wear the No.6. Luca Moretti (concussion) and Junior Paulo (knee) are both potential additions in the forwards while centre Will Penisini (groin) is also getting close to a return.
Panthers predicted team:
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Thomas Jenkins
3. Casey McLean
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Brian To’o
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Liam Martin
12. Isaiah Papali’i
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Freddy Lussick
15. Kalani Going
16. Liam Henry
17. Izack Tago
18. Scott Sorensen
19. Billy Scott
Panthers team news:
Jack Cogger is serving the second week of his two-match suspension. Recently resigned for another four years Mitch Kenny (leg) was held back in Round 20 but could finally return this week pushing Freddy Lussick to the pine. Dylan Edwards suffered a nasty gash to his head in the loss to the Broncos but should be fine to play, although he may be wearing head gear for a week or two.
Newcastle Knights vs. Sydney Roosters(Friday, July 24 at McDonald Jones Stadium, 6:00pm AEST)
Newcastle predicted team:
1. Kalyn Ponga (c)
2. Dominic Young
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Fletcher Sharpe
7. Dylan Brown
8. Tyson Frizell
9. Phoenix Crossland
10. Trey Mooney
11. Dylan Lucas
12. Francis Manuleleua
13. Mat Croker
14. Sandon Smith
15. Lachlan Crouch
16. Thomas Cant
17. Cody Hopwood
18. Fletcher Hunt
19. Harrison Graham
Knights team news:
Jermaine McEwen (hamstring) and Cody Hopwood (calf) missed Round 20 with Hopwood the most likely to be back this week. Reserve back James Schiller has a neck injury and is set for a month on the sidelines.
Roosters predicted team:
1. James Tedesco (c)
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Hugo Savala
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Daly Cherry-Evans
7. Sam Walker
8. Naufahu Whyte
9. Reece Robson
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Nat Butcher
12. Siua Wong
13. Victor Radley
14. Connor Watson
15. Salesi Foketi
16. Egan Butcher
17. Spencer Leniu
18. Billy Smith
19. Cody Ramsay
Roosters team news:
Skipper James Tedesco (concussion) should be back this week, pushing Cody Ramsay to the bench. Robert Toia and Lindsay Collins are also available as the Roosters near full-strength, save for Blake Steep (ACL) and rugby-bound Angus Crichton (foot) who is racing the clock to return before the finals.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Melbourne Storm(Friday, July 17 at Accor Stadium, 8:00pm AEST)
South Sydney predicted team:
1. Jye Gray
2. Campbell Graham
3. Tallis Duncan
4. Jack Wighton
5. Alex Johnston
6. Cody Walker
7. Ashton Ward
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Brandon Smith
10. Keaon Koloamatangi
11. Lachlan Hubner
12. Euan Aitken
13. Cameron Murray (c)
14. Liam Le Blanc
15. Jamie Humphreys
16. John Radel
17. Matt Dufty
18. Bronson Garlick
19. Latrell Siegwalt
Rabbitohs team news:
Dayne Jennings (knee) should be available but may struggle to crack the 19 now Alex Johnston is back on deck. Wayne Bennet has indicated Latrell Mitchell (calf) is still at least a fortnight away. David Fifita has been hit with one-week ban for dangerous contact on Hudson Young in the loss to the Raiders.
Melbourne predicted team:
1. Sua Fa’alogo
2. Suilagi Tuimalatu-Brown
3. Jack Howarth
4. Nick Meaney
5. Moses Leo
6. Tyran Wishart
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Harry Grant (c)
10. Josh King
11. Cooper Clark
12. Oryn Keeley
13. Trent Loiero
14. Trent Toelau
15. Jack Hetherington
16. Josiah Pahulu
17. Alec MacDonald
18. Stanley Huen
19. Hugo Peel
Storm team news:
Melbourne will be desperate to get Jahrome Hughes (hamstring) back on the park, particularly given the continued absence of his halves partner Cameron Munster (knee). Elsewhere in the backline Warriors-bound Will Warbrick has played his last game for the Storm after suffering a devastating Achilles injury against the Roosters. Moses Leo missed Round 20 with an illness and should return this week.
Canberra Raiders vs. Wests Tigers(Saturday, July 25 at GIO Stadium, 3:00pm AEST)
Canberra predicted team:
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Sebastian Kris
3. Simi Sasagi
4. Matthew Timoko
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Ata Mariota
9. Tom Starling
10. Joe Tapine (c)
11. Zac Hosking
12. Noah Martin
13. Corey Horsburgh
14. Jayden Brailey
15. Josh Papalii
16. Morgan Smithies
17. Daine Laurie
18. Savelio Tamale
19. Joe Roddy
Raiders team news:
Hudson Young suffered an Achilles rupture against the Rabbitohs in a devastating blow that ends his Raiders season and hopes for World Cup selection. Look for Ata Mariota or Josh Papalii to start at prop with Corey Horsburgh shifting into the back row. Matty Nicholson (shoulder) is also nearing a return and could pop up on the team list for the first time this season, although NSW Cup may be more likely after such a long layoff. Owen Pattie copped a one-week ban for making dangerous contact on Keaon Koloamatangi, while in the backline Sebastian Kris (hamstring) has missed the past two weeks but should be good to go for Round 21, likely pushing Jed Stuart out of the 19.
Tigers predicted team:
1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Heamasi Makasini
4. Starford To’a
5. Jerel Skelton
6. Jarome Luai (c)
7. Jock Madden
8. Terrell May
9. Api Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Sione Fainu
13. Alex Twal
14. Jared Haywood
15. Ethan Roberts
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Jared Haywood
18. Faalentino Tavana
19. Bunty Afoa
Tigers team news:
The Tigers’ season just keeps getting worse with first-choice No.7 Adam Doueihi and his most obvious replacement Latu Fainu both slapped with suspensions from incidents in the loss to the Bulldogs. Doueihi is out for one week with an early plea while Fainu will miss two games. Bunty Afoa is available after serving his one-match suspension.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs. New Zealand Warriors(Saturday, July 25 at Accor Stadium, 5:30pm AEST)
Canterbury predicted team:
1. Connor Tracey
2. Jacob Kiraz
3. Matt Burton
4. Enari Tuala
5. Jethro Rinakama
6. Stephen Crichton (c)
7. Lachlan Galvin
8. Max King
9. Bailey Hayward
10. Leo Thompson
11. Jacob Preston
12. Viliame Kikau
13. Jaeman Salmon
14. Kurt Mann
15. Harry Hayes
16. Jack Underhill
17. Josh Curran
18. Marcello Montoya
19. Sean O’Sullivan
Bulldogs team news:
Viliame Kikau returned off the bench in Round 20 and will likely come back into the starting 13 this week, while captain Stephen Crichton should also return in a major boost for the Bulldogs. Bronson Xerri has found himself back in NSW Cup and may need injuries to crack NRL again this season.
Warriors predicted team:
1. Taine Tuaupiki
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Ali Leiataua
4. Adam Pompey
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. Leka Halasima
18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
19. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Warriors team news:
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was initially left out of the 19 last week before being added later in the week. Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore and Rocco Berry all ran out in NSW Cup last weekend and it will be interesting to see if any can crack the NRL side before the finals begin.
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Brisbane Broncos(Saturday, July 25 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7:35pm AEST)
Cowboys predicted team:
1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Braidon Burns
3. Zac Laybutt
4. Tom Chester
5. Murray Tualagi
6. Jaxon Purdue
7. Tom Dearden (c)
8. Tom Mikaele
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. Heilum Luki*
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Rueben Cotter (c)
14. Jake Clifford
15. Griffin Neame
16. Matthew Lodge
17. Coen Hess
18. Soni Luke
19. Sam McIntyre
Cowboys team news:
Tom Mikaele (concussion) should be back this week. With captain Tom Dearden making a successful return from injury it will be interesting to see where Jake Clifford is named after being bumped to bench in Round 20. Helium Luki was placed on report for making high contact on Brad Schneider during Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins and awaits the MRC charge sheet.
Broncos predicted team:
1. Reece Walsh
2. Josiah Karapani
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Deine Mariner
6. Ezra Mam
7. Adam Reynolds (c)
8. Xavier Willison
9. Cory Paix
10. Payne Haas
11. Jack Gosiewski
12. Jordan Riki
13. Pat Carrigan
14. Ben Hunt
15. Ben Talty
16. Preston Riki
17. Grant Anderson
18. Va’a Semu
19. Billy Walters
Broncos team news:
Billy Walters (ACL) was close to return last week and should be back this time. Brendan Piakura took another head knock against the Panthers and is likely to miss multiple weeks in concussion protocols with Jack Gosiewski (ribs) set to come into the 19.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Gold Coast Titans(Sunday, July 26 at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium, 2:00pm AEST)
St. George Illawarra predicted team:
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Setu Tu
3. Mathew Feagai
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Christian Tuipulotu
6. Daniel Atkinson
7. Kyle Flanagan
8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
9. Damien Cook (c)
10. Toby Couchman
11. Dylan Egan
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Ryan Couchman
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Luciano Leilua
16. Josh Kerr
17. Moses Suli
18. Jacob Halangahu
19. Lyhkan King-Togia
Dragons team news:
The Dragons were unlucky in their away loss to the Warriors in Round 20 and will fancy their chances this week. Reserve forward Blake Lawrie (leg) should be available but may struggle to make the 19. Kade Reed (hand) was a late withdrawal from what was going to be his comeback match in NSW Cup as the club takes a cautious approach with their young half.
Gold Coast predicted team:
1. Keano Kini
2. Siale Faeamani
3. Jojo Fifita
4. Jaylan De Groot
5. Phillip Sami
6. Jayden Campbell
7. Zane Harrison
8. Moeaki Fotuaika (c)
9. Oliver Pascoe
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (c)
11. Arama Hau
12. Beau Fermor
13. Chris Randall
14. Josh Patston
15. Klese Haas*
16. Cooper Bai
17. Sam Verrills
18. Lachlan Ilias
19. Adam Christensen
Titans team news:
Kurtis Morrin was ruled out of Round 20 with a leg injury and could be in doubt again this week. Winger Dean Ieremia went on report for a nasty-looking hip drop tackle on Tolu Koula and could be in trouble with the MRC. AJ Brimson failed an HIA against the Sea Eagles while Klese Haas picked up an ankle injury and is also in some doubt.
Manly Sea Eagles vs. Cronulla Sharks(Sunday, July 26 at 4 Pines Park, 4:05pm AEST)
Manly predicted team:
1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolo Koula
4. Josh Feledy
5. Reuben Garrick
6. Joey Walsh
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Simione Laiafi
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic (c)
14. Ethan Bullemore
15. Nathan Brown
16. Kobe Hetherington
17. Aaron Schoupp
18. Nicholas Lenaz
19. Blake Wilson
Sea Eagles team news:
Ben Trbojevic should return from concussion protocols, but brother Tom is out with yet another hamstring injury. It’s unclear if Clayton Faulalo (hamstring) will be fit enough to take his place, with Lehi Hopoate the most likely option at the back. Jackson Shereb failed an HIA against the Titans and will enter concussion protocols.
Sharks predicted team:
1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. KL Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Thomas Hazelton
9. Blayke Brailey (c)
10. Addin Fanua-Blake*
11. Briton Nikora
12. Jesse Colquhoun*
13. Cam McInnes
14. Jayden Berrell
15. Oregon Kaufusi
16. Toby Rudolf*
17. Teig Wilton
18. Billy Burns
19. Mawene Hiroti
Sharks team news:
Jesse Colquhoun and Toby Rudolf are both on track to return from knee injuries this week creating a selection logjam in the Sharks forwards. Siosifa Talakai (elbow) was a late withdrawal against the Knights last week and is expected to be out once again. Jesse Ramien missed the same match with an illness but should return. Addin Fanua-Blake was troubled by a pectoral issue in Round 20 but the Sharks are hopeful he’ll be okay.
NRL RESULTS, SCORES ROUND 21:
Come back once Round 21 begins for the latest scores and results.