The NRL pre-season games kick-off this weekend, in what is the first time the Australian competition will be played in 2026.
Making their pre-season into a competition, the NRL’s ‘pre-season challenge’ will commence at the weekend, where the team at the top of the ladder after two rounds wins $100,000 AUD in prize money.
Due to four clubs partaking in the Las Vegas event, the challenge will run across three weeks, with this weekend seeing the four teams that will take to the Sin City in action.
North Queensland Cowboys, Newcastle Knights, St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs will all have their first outing of 2026 on Saturday, and their matches will be available for UK fans to watch.
The line-ups have been confirmed, and there are plenty of former Super League talents in and around each fixture.
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NRL Team Lists: Pre-Season Challenge Week 1
Canterbury Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys
Whilst there are no ex-Super League players in the Bulldogs squad, one player that is set to feature is French international Louis Grossemy, who made his debut for the nation at the end of 2025. He is one of many young French talents that are making their way in the Australian development systems.
The Cowboys host three former SL stars, and the trio are all in line to start the game, which takes place on Saturday at 6:30am (UK time).
Jake Clifford, the former Hull FC half-back will start at seven, whilst Ex-Leigh man Kai O’Donnell lines up in the back row. O’Donnell’s brother, Asher, has recently made the move to the UK, signing with Huddersfield Giants.
Thomas Miakele, formerly of Warrington Wolves, is also named, and he will start in the front row.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights
The Dragons don’t have any former Super League players in their side, but they will line up with Tyrell Sloan at full-back. The 23-year-old was on the radar of London Broncos when they first got their new era underway, though a move to England’s capital never came to fruition.
Josh Kerr, who had interest from Warrington Wolves, will also make his second debut with the club. Sam Burgess confirmed in 2025 that they were interested in the prop, but he opted to choose a move to the Dragons instead of Super League.
The Knights, after losing Jackson Hastings (St Helens) and Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), don’t have a direct link back to the UK competition, though Matt Arthur, son of Leeds coach Brad and brother of FC recruit, Jake, will start the game on the bench.
