NRL 2026, Round 1, Late Mail. team updates, injuries, ins and outs, team lists, Fantasy

NRL Late Mail: Round 1: Katoa on track as big names return

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 5 Mar 2026, 09:28 AM

Eels recruit Jonah Pezet is set to take on his former club as Parramatta prepare to face Melbourne in a Thursday-night showdown at AAMI Park.

The match kicks off the second half of a record-breaking Round 1 of the 2026 season, with a host of stars back on deck for their clubs this weekend.

Sione Katoa is set to line up for the Sharks in their clash with Gold Coast, while Jake Trbojevic will play his first game of the year in Manly's battle with the Raiders on Saturday night.

See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Round 1 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.

NRL Late Mail Round 1

Storm v Eels, Thursday 8.00pm (AEDT) at AAMI Park

Round 1 - Round 1 - Thursday 5 Mar

9:00 am

Storm

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick

Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth

Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for Storm is number 4 Moses Leo

Centre for Eels is number 4 Brian Kelly
Winger for Storm is number 5 Nick Meaney

Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jonah Pezet
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Eels is number 8 J'maine Hopgood
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King

Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Jack Williams
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
Lock for Storm is number 13 Alec MacDonald

Lock for Eels is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Cooper Clarke

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Sam Tuivaiti
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Davvy Moale

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Tallyn Da Silva
Interchange for Storm is number 18 Preston Conn

Interchange for Eels is number 18 Kelma Tuilagi
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown

Interchange for Eels is number 19 Joash Papalii

Reserves

Reserve for Storm is number 22 Trent Toelau

Reserve for Eels is number 20 Jordan Samrani

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 3/4/2026 9:04:23 AM

Storm: Davvy Moale, Cooper Clarke and Preston Conn remain in contention to make their Storm debut off the bench after Wednesday's 24-hour update. Lazarus Vaalepu and Angus Hinchey were the players to drop out of the squad as Craig Bellamy chases a Round 1 victory for the 24th year in a row. Jack Howarth is on track to make an early return from a groin injury and will line up in the centres, with Moses Leo the other centre and Nick Meaney shifting to the wing in place of the injured Xavier Coates.

Eels: Charlie Guymer and Teancum Brown dropped out of the squad in Wednesday's team update, with Jordan Samrani remaining on the extended bench in jumper No.20. The absence of Josh Addo-Carr (thumb) will see Sean Russell line up on the wing and Albert Kelly make his club debut in the centres. Jonah Pezet is also set for his Eels debut and will partner Mitchell Moses in the halves. Up front, Jack de Belin makes his maiden Parramatta appearance at lock while Ryley Smith starts at hooker.

Warriors v Roosters, Friday 6.00pm (AEDT) at Go Media Stadium

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 6 Mar

7:00 am

Warriors

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-Evans
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Benaiah Ioelu
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Blake Steep

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Demitric Vaimauga

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Siua Wong
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Leka Halasima

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu
Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Taine Tuaupiki

Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Cody Ramsey
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Morgan Gannon

Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Fetalaiga Pauga

Reserves

Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Salesi Foketi
Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Luke Hanson

Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Tommy Talau
Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Toby Rodwell

Match Officials

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 3/4/2026 12:58:23 AM

Warriors: Marata Niukore has fallen short in his bid to recover from a calf injury suffered in the pre-season, however Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) and Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) are on track to take their place in the team on Friday night. Alofiana Khan-Pereira (concussion) is also pushing to break into the 19 after being named in the reserves. Englishman Morgan Gannon is in the mix for an NRL debut and has been named on the six-man bench.

Roosters: Former Dragon Cody Ramsey is a chance of making his first NRL appearance since Round 25, 2022 and has been listed on the Roosters six-man bench for Friday's game. Also on the interchange is Connor Watson, with Benaiah Ioelu to start at hooker in place of the injured Reece Robson (thumb). Centre Rob Toia is on track to return from a foot injury that kept him out of the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge, while Daly Cherry-Evans will start at five-eighth and Sam Walker halfback.

Broncos v Panthers, Friday 8.00pm (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 6 Mar

9:00 am

Broncos

Panthers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani

Winger for Panthers is number 2 Paul Alamoti
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs

Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki

Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Deine Mariner

Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam

Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix

Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas

Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jack Gosiewski

2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki

2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Luke Garner
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Ben Hunt

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack Cogger
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Xavier Willison

Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Luron Patea
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ben Talty

Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Isaiah Papali'i
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Aublix Tawha

Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Kalani Going
Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Grant Anderson

Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Thomas Jenkins
Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Jesse Arthars

Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Freddy Lussick

Reserves

Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Blake Mozer

Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Billy Phillips
Reserve for Broncos is number 21 Jaiyden Hunt

Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Jack Cole
Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Thomas Duffy

Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Sione Fonua

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 3/4/2026 9:18:32 AM

Broncos: Ben Hunt is set to come off the bench as an impact player with Cory Paix to start the match at hooker. Premiership-winning halves Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam will again link up, with Reece Walsh at fullback. Brendan Piakura has fallen short in his bid to recover from off-season knee surgery and will miss the Round 1 clash with Penrith. Jack Gosiewski and Jordan Riki start in the backrow as a result.

Panthers: Representative star Liam Martin has succumbed to a calf injury suffered in the pre-season and will miss Friday night's preliminary final rematch. Luke Garner comes into the starting side in the only change to the team that fell to Brisbane last September. Star halfback Nathan Cleary is free to take his place in the No.7 jumper after successfully fighting a high-tackle charge at the judiciary last week.

Sharks v Titans, Saturday 5.30pm (AEDT) at Ocean Protect Stadium

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 7 Mar

6:30 am

Sharks

Titans

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Titans is number 2 Sialetili Faeamani
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Titans is number 3 Jojo Fifita
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro

Centre for Titans is number 4 Max Feagai
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 AJ Brimson
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Titans is number 7 Lachlan Ilias

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Thomas Hazelton

Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Arama Hau
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns

2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun

Lock for Titans is number 13 Chris Randall

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Titans is number 14 Kurtis Morrin
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Toby Rudolf

Interchange for Titans is number 15 Tukimihia Simpkins
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Titans is number 16 Klese Haas
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Uele

Interchange for Titans is number 17 Cooper Bai
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru

Interchange for Titans is number 18 Luke Sommerton
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Chris Vea'ila

Interchange for Titans is number 19 Zane Harrison

Reserves

Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Jayden Berrell

Reserve for Titans is number 20 Jaylan De Groot
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Michael Gabrael

Reserve for Titans is number 21 Jensen Taumoepeau
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Niwhai Puru

Reserve for Titans is number 22 Josh Patston

Match Officials

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 3/4/2026 11:32:26 PM

Sharks: Siona Katoa is on track to start on the wing as he looks to overcome a groin injury suffered in the Pre-Season Challenge. Edge forward Teig Wilton will miss the clash, however, as he navigates the final stages of recovery from off-season shoulder surgery. The Sharks are otherwise settled, with Sam Stonestreet taking the other wing slot in place of Ronaldo Mulitalo (ACL).

Titans: Lachlan Ilias is set for a club debut after halfback Jayden Campbell succumbed to a hamstring injury earlier in the week. Ilias will partner AJ Brimson in the halves, while Auckland-born rookie Siale Faeamani will make his NRL debut on the wing. Max Feagai is also set for a maiden Titans appearance and young gun Cooper Bai is listed on the six-man bench.

Sea Eagles v Raiders, Saturday 7.35pm (AEDT) at 4 Pines Park

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 7 Mar

8:35 am

Sea Eagles

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi Sasagi
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Noah Martin
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Joey Walsh

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Jayden Brailey
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Kobe Hetherington

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Zac Hosking
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan Brown

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Morgan Smithies
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Clayton Faulalo

Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Daine Laurie
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Brandon Wakeham

Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Jed Stuart

Reserves

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Corey Waddell

Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Matty Nicholson
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Blake Wilson

Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Matthew Timoko
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Paul Bryan

Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Owen Pattie

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 3/3/2026 9:50:30 AM

Sea Eagles: Taniela Paseka (Achilles), Haumole Olakau'atu (shoulder) and Jake Trbojevic (concussion) are all set to return to the field after long-term injuries brought an early end to their 2025 campaigns. Former Raider Jamal Fogarty will partner Luke Brooks in a new-look halves combination following the off-season departure of Daly Cherry-Evans.

Raiders: Ethan Sanders has first crack at the No.7 jumper as he looks to step into the shoes formerly worn by Fogarty. Sanders will link up with Ethan Strange in the halves. Matty Nicholson (shoulder), Matthew Timoko (foot) and Owen Pattie have all been listed in the extended squad but coach Ricky Stuart revealed earlier this week the trio will play in reserve grade this weekend. Pattie's return to NSW Cup clears the way for Jayden Brailey to make his Raiders debut off the bench.

Dolphins v Rabbitohs, Sunday 3.05pm (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium

Round 1 - Round 1 - Sunday 8 Mar

5:05 am

Dolphins

Rabbitohs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell Mitchell
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack Wighton
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima

Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Ashton Ward

Forwards

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Tom Gilbert

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Kurt Donoghoe

Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Bronson Garlick
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Thomas Flegler

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon Koloamatangi
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Euan Aitken
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan Knowles

Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Interchange

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Bradley Schneider

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Oryn Keeley

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tallis Duncan
Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Felise Kaufusi

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Lachlan Hubner
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Trai Fuller

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Sean Keppie
Interchange for Dolphins is number 18 Sebastian Su'a

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Jayden Sullivan
Interchange for Dolphins is number 19 Brent Woolf

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Moala Graham-Taufa

Reserves

Reserve for Dolphins is number 20 Lewis Symonds

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Liam Le Blanc
Reserve for Dolphins is number 21 Tevita Naufahu

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Thomas Fletcher
Reserve for Dolphins is number 22 Brian Pouniu

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Bayleigh Bentley-Hape

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated: 3/4/2026 11:56:22 PM

Dolphins: Tom Flegler is on track for his first NRL game since Round 5, 2024 after overcoming a long-term shoulder injury that nearly ended his career. Tom Gilbert is also back on deck after rupturing his pectoral in Round 11 last year. Prop Daniel Saifiti's bid to return from a shoulder injury has fallen short, opening the door for Brent Woolf to potentially make his NRL debut in jumper No.19.

Rabbitohs: Bronson Garlick is set to start at hooker after passing through the HIA protocols following a head knock in South Sydney's final pre-season game. Garlick replaces Brandon Smith, who succumbed to a calf injury suffered at training. Ashton Ward is set to start at halfback but Jayden Sullivan remains in the mix to take to the field after battling a broken leg and infection in the off-season. The playmaker is listed on the six-man bench.