NRL 2026 Round 12 Discussion

[Big Pete]

Canberra Raiders vs. Dolphins
GIO Stadium, Thursday 21 May 2026
Kick Off: 7:50pm

CANBERRA RAIDERS

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Daine Laurie 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Ata Mariota 12. Zac Hosking 13. Jayden Brailey

14. Owen Pattie 15. Jordan Uta 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Jed Stuart 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Jake Clydsdale

20. Coby Black 21. Vena Patuki-Case 22. Ethan Alaia

THE DOLPHINS

1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Brad Schneider 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles

14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Oryn Keeley 18. Brian Pouniu 19. Lewis Symonds

20. John Fineanganofo 21. LJ Nonu 22. Patrick Kailahi

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Melbourne Storm
Accor Stadium, Friday 22 May 2026
Kick Off: 8:00pm

CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Enari Tuala 5. Jonathan Sua 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Jack Underhill 17. Alekolasimi Jones 19. Jethro Rinakama 20. Marcelo Montoya

21. Josh Curran 22. Sean O'Sullivan 23. Jed Reardon

MELBOURNE STORM

1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Keagan Russell-smith 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Trent Toelau 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Cooper Clarke

14. Gabriel Satrick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Davvy Moale 17. Stanley Huen 18. Joe Chan 19. Manaia Waitere

20. Jack Hetherington 21. Josiah Pahulu 22. Preston Conn

St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Warriors
St George Venues Jubilee Stadium, Saturday 23 May 2026
Kick Off: 5:30pm

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Jaydn Su'A 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman

14. Luciano Leilua 15. Emre Guler 16. Josh Kerr 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Tyrell Sloan 19. Lyhkan King-Togia

20. Hayden Buchanan 21. Hame Sele 22. Tyler Peckham-Harris

NZ WARRIORS

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark

14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 18. Luke Hanson 20. Marata Niukore

21. Kayliss Fatialofa 22. Makaia Tafua 23. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Manly Sea Eagles vs. Gold Coast Titans
4 Pines Park, Saturday 23 May 2026
Kick Off: 7:35pm

MANLY SEA EAGLES

1. Clayton Faulalo 2. Jason Saab 3. Josh Feledy 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Blake Wilson 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Ethan Bullemor 11. Jackson Shereb 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Hugo Hart 19. Joey Walsh

20. Onitoni Large 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Aaron Schoupp

GOLD COAST TITANS

1. Keano Kini 2. Jenson Taumoepeau 3. Jaylan De Groot 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Klese Haas 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Cooper Bai

14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Luke Sommerton 17. Adam Christensen 18. Lachlan Ilias 19. Bodhi Sharpley

20. Max Feagai 21. Chris Randall 22. Tony Francis

North Queensland Cowboys vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Sunday 24 May 2026
Kick Off: 4:05pm

NORTH QLD COWBOYS

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Liam Sutton 7. Jake Clifford 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Heilum Luki 12. Sam McIntyre 13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Viliami Vailea 15. Griffin Neame 16. Kai O'Donnell 17. Coen Hess 18. Xavier Kerrisk 19. Ethan King

20. Wiremu Greig 21. Ronald Philitoga 22. Mason Barber

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Siegwalt 4. CONEHEAD Duncan 5. Talanoa Penitani 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Keaon Koloamatangi 13. Adam Elliott

14. Matthew Dufty 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Jamie Humphreys 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Thomas Fletcher 19. Edward Kosi

20. Moala Graham-Taufa 21. Bronson Garlick 22. John Radel

 

[JayPee]

The Warriors are in a good position to keep a top 2 spot if they have their usual strong origin period. Shame about Boyd.

It will be interesting to see if they go back to Metcalf. I think he gels better with CHT than he does with Boyd and he can play the halfback spot he wants.

Its a tough dilemma because the bloke basically chucked his toys out of the cot and jumped ship at first chance on not getting the 7.

Temaire Martin would do a good job but I don't think their is enough xfactor between him and CHT to win the comp. Metcalf getting back to last years form would give them a big chance.

 

[Brocko]

Rate the Wahs not even naming Metcalf at all despite losing Boyd. He wants to leave and didn't wanna fight for a spot, so let him sit out.

 

[JayPee]

Rate the Wahs not even naming Metcalf at all despite losing Boyd. He wants to leave and didn't wanna fight for a spot, so let him sit out.

It might only be for a week or two. The coach said he hasnt been able to get any runs into his legs since he did the hamstring and he wouldnt be named this week. It sounded like he mightb still get picked soon though. But if they keep winning it is going to be hard for him to make a change. Martin isnt a mug.

 

[Brocko]

It might only be for a week or two. The coach said he hasnt been able to get any runs into his legs since he did the hamstring and he wouldnt be named this week. It sounded like he mightb still get picked soon though. But if they keep winning it is going to be hard for him to make a change. Martin isnt a mug.

Oh fair enough then, just glanced the team list and didn't see him. Hadn't seen the other bit.

Metcalf waiting in the wings if needed certainly isn't a bad problem to have.

 

[JayPee]

Oh fair enough then, just glanced the team list and didn't see him. Hadn't seen the other bit.

Metcalf waiting in the wings if needed certainly isn't a bad problem to have.

Yeah personally I would probably go back to him. I think they have everything else to win the comp except a real xfactor in the backline. If he is right he offers it. Temaire and CHT are solid but not sure they can create something out of nothing that Metcalf can when he is right.

 

[Big Pete]

As far as I'm aware, here's all the players who made their first 'squad' of 2026.

Coby Black
Vena Patuki-Case
LJ Nonu
Patrick Kailahi
Hugo Hart
Onitoni Large
Keagan Russell-Smith
Gabriel Satrick
Ronald Philitoga
Tyler Peckham-Harris
Talanoa Penitani
John Radel

A few former Broncos in that lot. Philitoga and Radel were on training contracts, Philitoga was more of a QCup prospect while Radel came through the Wynnum Manly Mal Meninga Cup side. Then of course is Coby Black who made his first NRL squad period still plying his trade in NSW Cup. I don't think we'll be seeing much of him in '26 but come '27 with another pre-season he could make that step up.

Finally there's Ipswich product Peckham-Harris for the Dragons. I'd put him in the same category as a Tuaupiki who plays above his weight, loves being around the footy and is really effective in broken play. I think he can be a shining light for the Dragons if he gets an opportunity.

 

[Big Pete]

Farnworth has been ruled out for the Dolphins.

That's a huge blow.

Nonu and Kailahi were omitted from the squad so would have to presume Pouniu will get a run.

I'd say that tips things in the Raiders favour.

 

[Brocko]

The Dolphins have recieved a boost with potential Queensland debutant Kulikefu Finefeuiaki released from Maroons camp to take on the Raiders on Thursday night.

It comes after a huge blow with star centre Herbie Farnworth ruled out of their clash with the Raiders forcing a backline reshuffle.

Tough tip this one..

 

[Foordy]

The Dolphins have recieved a boost with potential Queensland debutant Kulikefu Finefeuiaki released from Maroons camp to take on the Raiders on Thursday night.

It comes after a huge blow with star centre Herbie Farnworth ruled out of their clash with the Raiders forcing a backline reshuffle.

Tough tip this one..

I can't believe Billy didn't pick Finefeuiaki. He's probably the best back rower we have right now

 

[BroncsFan]

The Dolphins have recieved a boost with potential Queensland debutant Kulikefu Finefeuiaki released from Maroons camp to take on the Raiders on Thursday night.

It comes after a huge blow with star centre Herbie Farnworth ruled out of their clash with the Raiders forcing a backline reshuffle.

Tough tip this one..

I'm assuming Kuli is still 20th man for origin though?

Interesting that they're allowing the 20th man to play on the weekend, which hasn't been the case in previous years... Burton and Walsh last year missing the weekend, and then just sitting on the pine during origin.

 

[dejan]

I'm assuming Kuli is still 20th man for origin though?

Interesting that they're allowing the 20th man to play on the weekend, which hasn't been the case in previous years... Burton and Walsh last year missing the weekend, and then just sitting on the pine during origin.

Because 6 man bench.

 

[BroncsFan]

Because 6 man bench.

I know that... but it didnt stop them from pulling the 18th man out of club games over the last few years since HIA's came in

What happens if Kuli plays this week... lines up at 20th man next Wednesday... and then someone immitates Suaalii and torpedos Cotter in the face and gets sent / binned in the first 5mins

Kuli is then activated... Billy could chuck him straight into right second row and he's playing 75mins of origin after playing the weekend prior.

The can of worms would be open because there would be 2 guys sitting on the bench for 80 that weren't able to play for the club side, but here's Kuli playing for club, playing origin and then backing up and playing for club post origin.

Teams would be blowing up... dogs would be fuming given how many games Burton has missed over the last few years just to sit with his 18 jersey on

 

[Astro]

I know that... but it didnt stop them from pulling the 18th man out of club games over the last few years since HIA's came in

What happens if Kuli plays this week... lines up at 20th man next Wednesday... and then someone immitates Suaalii and torpedos Cotter in the face and gets sent / binned in the first 5mins

Kuli is then activated... Billy could chuck him straight into right second row and he's playing 75mins of origin after playing the weekend prior.

The can of worms would be open because there would be 2 guys sitting on the bench for 80 that weren't able to play for the club side, but here's Kuli playing for club, playing origin and then backing up and playing for club post origin.

Teams would be blowing up... dogs would be fuming given how many games Burton has missed over the last few years just to sit with his 18 jersey on

Origin is the best way to **** with the regular season. Why cant we have stand alone weekends. Or do it at the end of year.

 

[tommy]

Origin is the best way to **** with the regular season. Why cant we have stand alone weekends. Or do it at the end of year.

Probably because the best players come from the best teams and helps make it a closer competition.

 

[Brocko]

Wtf was that

 

[Santa]

Lol that was gold!

 

[Foordy]

has the ranga hurt his arm or something .... I've been watching about the last 10 mins and I haven't seen him award a six-again ... we would have given away at least half a dozen in this time with what i've seen so far.

don't get me wrong the lack of six agains is making this a much better game to watch