NRL 2026, Witzer Pre-Season Challenge, team lists, round 1, injuries, updates, Las Vegas, Dragons, Bulldogs, Knights, Cowboys, Fantasy

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 3 Feb 2026, 04:01 PM

Official team lists, updates and injury news for the opening round of the 2026 Witzer Pre-Season Challenge.

Pre-Season Challenge Team Lists: Round 1

Bulldogs v Cowboys, Saturday 5.30pm at Jubilee Oval

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 7 Feb

6:30 am

Bulldogs

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Taye Cochrane

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Mason Barber
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Cooper Toy

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert Derby
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Sosaia Alatini

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jed Reardon

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Liam Sutton
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jonathan Sua

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Joseph Teaupa

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jaxon Purdue
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Alex Conti

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Harrison Edwards
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Xavier Kerrisk
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Thomas Mikaele
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Alekolasimi Jones

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Logan Spinks

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kai O'Donnell
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Lipoi Hopoi

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Sam McIntyre

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Fletcher Baker

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Zac Herdegen
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sosefo Finau

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Kaiden Lahrs
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Zyon Maiu'u

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Mason Kira
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Aaymon Fitzgibbon

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Matthew Watts

Reserves

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 19 Jack Underhill

Reserve for Cowboys is number 18 Creedence Toia
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Raymond Puru

Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Ronald Philitoga
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Hamish Wilson

Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Maddox Goodwin
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Jope Rauqe

Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Wiremu Greig
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Mikey Nassar

Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Tyler Moriarty
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 24 Justin Matamua

Reserve for Cowboys is number 23 Joseph Doyle
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 25 Bud Smith

Reserve for Cowboys is number 24 Isaiah Latu
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 26 Bailey Myers

Reserve for Cowboys is number 25 Mitchell Prest
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 27 Louis Grossemy

Reserve for Cowboys is number 26 Aitasi James

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 2/3/2026 6:12:35 AM

Bulldogs: Experienced forwards Fletcher Baker, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Sam Hughes and Gordon Chan Kum Tong will lead the way for the Bulldogs in their first hit-out of the season. Young halves Alex Conti and Joseph Teaupa also get an early chance to impress. Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon's son Aaymon comes off the bench while former Bulldog Steve Reardon's son Jed lines up in the centres. Samoa international Justin Matamua has joined Canterbury on a train and trial contract and is also listed on the interchange.

Cowboys: A welcome return for star back-rower Heilum Luki after missing the entire 2025 season with an ACL injury. The pack also includes props Thomas Mikaele and Harrison Edwards, lock Sam McIntyre and rising star Xavier Kerrisk at hooker. In the backs, young gun Liam Sutton is joined by PNG internationals Robert Derby and Zac Laybutt while Jaxon Purdue and Jake Clifford steer the ship in the halves. Former Eel Wiremu Greig has been named on the interchange after earning a train and trial deal with the club while former Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers forward Aitasi James and former Rooster Tyler Moriarty also get a chance to impress coach Todd Payten.

Dragons v Knights, 7.30pm at Jubilee Oval

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 7 Feb

8:30 am

Dragons

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Hunt
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Christian Tuipulotu

Winger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller
Centre for Dragons is number 3 David Fale

Centre for Knights is number 3 Kyle McCarthy
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Mathew Feagai

Centre for Knights is number 4 Wilson De Courcey
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Setu Tu

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-Togia

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kade Reed

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Josh Kerr

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Haele Finau

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Harrison Graham
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Toby Couchman

Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey Mooney
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ryan Couchman

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Thomas Cant
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jacob Halangahu

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Hame Sele

Lock for Knights is number 13 Tyson Frizell

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Tyler Peckham-Harris

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Tyson Gamble
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Charles Heidke

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Hayden Buchanan

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Matthew Arthur
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Nick Tsougranis

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Pasami Saulo

Reserves

Reserve for Dragons is number 18 Joseph O'Neill

Reserve for Knights is number 18 Brodie Jones
Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Loko Pasifiki Tonga

Reserve for Knights is number 19 Cody Hopwood
Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Isaiah Fagalilo

Reserve for Knights is number 20 Connor Votano
Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Blake Lawrie

Reserve for Knights is number 21 Sosaia Latu
Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Dylan Coutts

Reserve for Knights is number 22 Asu Kepaoa
Reserve for Dragons is number 23 Cyrus Stanley-Traill

Reserve for Knights is number 23 Logan Aoake
Reserve for Dragons is number 24 Ryan Hutchinson

Reserve for Knights is number 24 Matthew Hunter
Reserve for Knights is number 25 Peter Hola
Reserve for Knights is number 26 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Reserve for Knights is number 27 Francis Manuleleua
Reserve for Knights is number 28 Lachlan Crouch

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated: 2/3/2026 6:12:35 AM

Dragons: Gun forwards Toby Couchman (shoulder) and Ryan Couchman (ACL) have been named to return from injury while veteran prop Josh Kerr is back in the Red V after three years at the Dolphins. Recruits David Fale (Panthers) and Setu Tu (Warriors) debut in the backline while former Bulldog Joseph O'Neill comes off the bench. Lyhkan King-Togia and Kade Reed call the shots in the halves with Kyle Flanagan and Daniel Atkinson being held back along with skipper Clint Gutherson.

Knights: Veteran back-rower Tyson Frizell will captain a strong Newcastle outfit that includes Fletcher Hunt at fullback, Jacob Saifiti at prop, Greg Marzhew on the wing and new signing Sandon Smith at halfback. Smith is joined in the halves by Fletcher Sharpe, who plays his first match since suffering a lacerated kidney against the Dolphins in Round 16 last year. Former Raiders Trey Mooney and Pasami Saulo make their Knights debut along with Peter Hola, Harrison Graham, Asu Kepaoa, Matthew Hunter and Lachlan Crouch. Star backs Kalyn Ponga, Dylan Brown and Bradman Best and back-rower Dylan Lucas will be kept in cotton wool this week.