NRL 2026, round 6, Late Mail, team lists, injuries, updates, 24 hours, 90 minutes, ins and outs

NRL Late Mail Round 6: Tigers rejig backline after young gun ruled out

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 12 Apr 2026, 03:13 PM

Wests Tigers young gun Faaletino Tavana has been forced out of Sunday's showdown with the Knights due to hamstring tightness.

The winger's absence has prompted a minor backline reshuffle, with Heamasi Makasini shifting to the wing and Patrick Herbert coming into the centres for his first NRL appearance since 2022.

See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Round 6 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.

NRL Late Mail Round 6

Wests Tigers v Knights, Sunday 4.05pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Round 6 - Round 6 - Sunday 12 Apr

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Hunt
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 4 Heamasi Makasini

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Sunia Turuva

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 19 Patrick Herbert

Centre for Knights is number 4 Wilson De Courcey
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jock Madden

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam Doueihi

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole

Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey Mooney
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson Frizell
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce Hunt

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant

Reserves

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tristan Hope

Reserve for Knights is number 18 Tyson Gamble
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Tony Sukkar

Reserve for Knights is number 19 Cody Hopwood

Match Officials

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 4/16/2026 11:12:43 PM

Wests Tigers: Benji Marshall has rejigged his backline on gameday after Faaletino Tavana was ruled out with hamstring tightness. Heamasi Maksini shifts from centre to wing, Patrick Herbert comes into the centres for his first NRL game since 2022 and Tony Sukkar comes on to the bench. With winger Luke Laulilii banned for one match for his mid-air tackle on Bailey Simonsson last Monday, Jeral Skelton comes in for his third game of the season. Halfback Adam Doueihi has scored five tries in his last seven games against the Knights.

Knights: Newcastle will line up 1-19 after the squad was locked in on Sunday afternoon. After making his debut against the Raiders, 20-year-old Wilson De Courcey retains his place in the centres Bradman Best (groin) sidelined. Coach Justin Holbrook has otherwise named an unchanged 17, with Cody Hopwood also included on the six-man bench. The Knights have won seven of their last eight games against Wests Tigers.