A sensational Saturday of Witzer Pre-Season Challenge action features four games across two countries and showcasing eight teams all eager to put on a show for their fans and stake a claim for the 100K prizemoney.
The Warriors and Sea Eagles kick us off in Napier before a double-header in Newcastle featuring the Wests Tigers-Roosters and Knights-Bulldogs clashes.
Both the Knights and Bulldogs showed some promising signs at Jubilee Oval last weekend and will be out to build momentum with Las Vegas looming.
We round out a bumper Saturday with the time honoured Charity Shield clash between the Dragons and Rabbitohs in Wollongong, with the Red V looking to go back-to-back after 46-26 win in Mudgee last year.
Follow all the action from Round 2 of the 2026 Witzer Pre-Season Challenge on NRL.com's live blog.
Warriors v Sea Eagles at McLean Park, Napier
Match: Warriors v Sea Eagles
Round 2 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Sea Eagles
Venue: McLean Park, Napier
46th minute: Now it's Manly's time to lodge a Captain's Challenge after the ball popped out of Jackson-Levi Shereb-Schmidt's hands while two Warriors defenders were laying on top of him. There looked to be a Warriors hand forcing the ball out and the Bunker agrees with Manly, awarding the visitors a penalty for a strip. The Sea Eagles have another chance to attack. Warriors 10 - Sea Eagles 20.
44th minute: It's a dream start for the Sea Eagles, who received a penalty to go straight on to the attack. Joey Walsh is again in the thick of the action, producing a grubber that looked short off the boot. It turned out to be perfectly placed, with Hugo Hart getting down low to scoop the ball up and score his second try of the day. Warriors 10 - Sea Eagles 20.
Kick-off: The second half is underway, with the Warriors eager to keep the momentum rolling after scoring in the final play of the first half. Coach Andrew Webster has turned to his bench, handing a number of his top players a rest, while the Sea Eagles have largely stuck with the side that impressed in the opening 40 minutes. Warriors 10 - Sea Eagles 16.
Ali Leiataua 2nd Try
Half-time: The Warriors have the final say of the first half, with five-eighth Luke Hanson launching another bomb towards Manly winger Navren Willett. The youngster soared through the air but was unable to complete the catch, the ball fell straight into Ali Leiataua's breadbasket and he scored his second of the day. It was an intriguing half of football, with the Warriors controlling the first 30 minutes but unable to capitalise on the territorial advantage. A young Manly side eventually settled into the contest to jump out to a 12-point lead before Leiataua's try narrowed the margin to six at the break. Warriors 10 - Sea Eagles 16.
Clayton Faulalo Try
35th minute: The Sea Eagles have taken flight in the past few minutes and they have their third of the afternoon. The wet weather hasn't prevented them from throwing the ball around, with halves Onitoni Large and Joey Walsh linking up on the righthand side before Walsh through a cutout ball to Blake Wilson. The winger passed back inside before he was bundled into touch and Clayton Faulalo was there in support to score the try. Warriors 4 - Sea Eagles 16.
Hugo Hart Try
31st minute: Manly have spent much of the last 10 minutes inside their own half, but once they get into attacking territory they have capitalised immediately. Joey Walsh produced a pinpoint bomb, the ball was tapped back by winger Navren Willett and Hugo Hart was on the spot to gather the loose ball and extend his side's lead. Warriors 4 - Sea Eagles 12.
27th minute: The Sea Eagles are chancing their arm and throwing the ball around, but the wet conditions is making handling challenging. Manly have eight errors to hand the Warriors repeated attacking opportunities. The visitors, however, have been up to the task defensively and just successfully repelled another Warriors set of six to maintain a two-point lead. Warriors 4 - Sea Eagles 6.
19th minute: The hosts have lodged the first Captain's Challenge of the day after referee Ashley Klein ruled a knock on by Tanah Boyd. The halfback was attempting to latch on to a Jackson Ford offload amid traffic from the Manly defenders. Boyd is convinced the ball did not touch his finger, with the Sea Eagles eventually kicking the loose ball dead. The replays are unclear, the Bunker has ruled the on-field decision will stand and the Warriors retain their challenge. Warriors 4 - Sea Eagles 6.
Walsh with a deft touch
18th minute: The Warriors forward pack has aimed up in the past few minutes and Jackson Ford has forced an error with a dominant tackle to earn his side an attacking set of six. It's not all positive for the host, with prop Demitric Vaimauga leaving the field for an HIA after copping a knock in a tackle. Warriors 4 - Sea Eagles 6.
Paul Bryan Try
12th minute: The Manly youngster have steadily found their feet, with halves Onitoni Large and Joey Walsh moving the ball around and taking on the defensive line. A well-placed Walsh bomb earnt a repeat set before dummy half Brandon Wakeham linked up with a charging Paul Bryan who ran a superb line and scored the try. Warriors 4 - Sea Eagles 6.
Ali Leiataua Try
5th minute: It's been an end-to-end start to this contest and it's the Warriors who strike first. Ball handling is proving challenging in wet conditions in Napier, with Tanah Boyd launching a cross-field bomb that was always going to be hard to handle. Manly winger Navren Willett spilled the ball, Ali Leiataua scooped it up and put his side in front. Warriors 4 - Sea Eagles 0.
Kick-off: We are underway in Napier, with the Warriors rolling out a star-studded squad for their opening Pre-Season crash of the year. Manly fans will get a glimpse into the future, with coach Anthony Seibold fielding a youthful squad led by emerging halves Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large. It's a dream start for the hosts, with Demitric Vaimauga charging off the back fence and earning his side a penalty in the opening tackle of the game. Warriors 0 - Sea Eagles 0.
Foran: It'll be great for them to put in a performance today
Webster: You'll see every player in the squad today
Late Mail: Both teams have been forced into changes after midweek injuries, with the Warriors losing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to a hamstring injury. Motu Pasikala replaces the veteran on the wing, with Jacob Auloa the new face in the squad. Sea Eagles lock Caleb Navale has also been ruled out after tearing his ACL during the week, prompting a minor reshuffle. Corey Waddell moves from the backrow to lock, with Hugo Hart coming into the starting side in the second row. Tom Summer has been added to the extended bench in jumper No.21.
Wests Tigers v Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium
Late Mail: A pair of late changes for the Wests Tigers, with Jack Attard coming into the side to start at fullback and Christian Taupau-Moors promoted to lock. Heath Mason and Charlie Murray revert to the interchange as a result. No changes for the Roosters, who will start 1-13.
Match: Wests Tigers v Roosters
Round 2 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Roosters
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights v Bulldogs at McDonald Jones Stadium
Match: Knights v Bulldogs
Round 2 -
home Team
Knights
6th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
5th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Dragons v Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium
Match: Dragons v Rabbitohs
Round 2 -
home Team
Dragons
4th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong