NRL 2026, Cowboys, Wests Tigers, Round 26, match preview, team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 29 Aug 2026, 06:15 PM

The Cowboys have had an extra week to marinate in their Round 23 shock loss to the Eels and can ill afford to take this week's opposition Wests Tigers lightly.

North Queensland's finals fate still remains in their own hands despite their poor 32-30 loss, but with challenging teams riding up their spurs for a finals berth, they need to win to secure their top eight spot.

Wests Tigers produced arguably the upset of the season last week with their thrilling 25-24 win over the Roosters, an uplifting win for a side that had to that point suffered eight straight defeats.

Benji Marshall and his side will be enjoying the role they can play in shaping the make up for the top eight and would love nothing more than to upset another finals contender who they beat convincingly 44-16 in Round 2.

Round 26 - Round 26 - Saturday 29 Aug

Full Time

Cowboys

Wests Tigers

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Highlights Latest

Team News

Cowboys: The Cowboys are 1-19 with no late changes. Skipper Tom Dearden is back after four games out with an ankle injury so Jaxon Purdue moves to centre and Zac Laybutt to the wing. Star back-rower Jeremiah Nanai is also back from a hamstring injury. Coach Todd Payten revealed that winger Murray Taulagi had been to see an independent doctor after a suffering a concussion at training last week - his third head knock for the season. "He is going to sit out this week and we will know more by Friday," Payten said.

Wests Tigers: No game day changes for the Tigers. The loss of Alex Twal to concussion means Alex Seyfarth takes the No.13 jersey while Terrell May is back in the starting side at prop. Sunia Turuva was named on the bench on Tuesday after missing the Roosters game with a knee injury but he has dropped out on Friday. Vaka Aho joined the bench in the 24-hour update for a potential NRL debut.

Round 26 - Round 26 - Saturday 29 Aug

Full Time

Cowboys

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Junior Tupou
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomone Saukuru
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Patrick Herbert
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Zac Laybutt

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jock Madden

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Griffin Neame

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Tony Sukkar
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Heath Mason
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Ethan Roberts
Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Ethan King

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Bunty Afoa
Reserve for Cowboys is number 16 John Bateman

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tristan Hope
Reserve for Cowboys is number 18 Kai O'Donnell

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Faaletino Tavana

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated: 8/30/2026 1:46:02 PM

Stat Attack

The Cowboys have won five of their last six games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers have conceded 148 points in their last three games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Wests Tigers prop Fonua Pole will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Cowboys right winger Braidon Burns has scored eight tries in his last nine games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.