NRL Weekly Watch: Previewing Round 26

Mass restings as Storm travel to Townsville

The Cowboys host a Storm side sans a host of stars at QCB Stadium on Thursday night.

Jason Taumalolo (cheekbone) and Jeremiah Nanai (head knock) return for the hosts with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Sam McIntyre reverting to the pine and Thomas Mikaele and Jaxon Purdue dropping out.

With the minor premiership already locked up, the Storm are resting Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eliesa Katoa, Trent Loiero and Tui Kamikamica.

Ryan Papenhuyzen captains the side with Cameron Munster partnering Grant Anderson in the halves, Sua Fa’alogo named on the wing and Tyran Wishart starting at hooker.

Keagan Russell-Smith, Ativalu Lisati, and Tristan Powell have been named to debut off the bench.

The Storm have won eight of their past nine games away from AAMI Park.

Dogs, Manly to meet in Accor epic

Canterbury hosts Manly in perhaps the match of the round at Accor Stadium on Friday evening.

Stephen Crichton (suspension) and Kurt Mann (collarbone) are missing for the Dogs with Jeral Skelton coming into the backline, Jaeman Salmon starting at lock, and Josh Curran (shoulder) coming onto the bench.

Tommy Talau (pec) comes into the centres with Toluta’u Koula reverting to the interchange whilst Corey Waddell’s (suspension) absence sees Matt Lodge join the 17.

The Bulldogs have won their last seven at Accor but have lost nine of their past 10 against the Sea Eagles.

Panthers look to steady ship at home vs. Souths

Penrith will look to bounce back against the Rabbitohs at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night.

Sunia Turuva and Paul Alamoti earn recalls for Penrith with Daine Laurie and Casey McLean making way whilst Mitch Kenny (suspension) comes back in for Luke Sommerton.

Cody Walker (head knock) comes in for Dean Hawkins whilst Siliva Havili replaces Shaq Mitchell (calf) on the bench and Cameron Murray has been named pending a judiciary hearing.

The Panthers have won 11 of their past 13 against the Rabbitohs.

Dragons face Eels at CommBank

The Dragons will look to go a step closer to securing a finals berth when they make the trip to CommBank to face the Eels on Saturday.

Luca Moretti (quad) comes onto the bench for Jake Tago.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner has been named on the interchange for the Red V in place of Lyhkan King-Togia.

The Dragons have won seven in a row against teams sitting outside the Top 8 whilst Parra have lost four-straight at CommBank.

Dolphins, Broncos face off in awaited Battle of Brisbane

The Dolphins and Broncos do battle in a crucial Battle of Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening.

Kodi Nikorima (head knock), Jesse Bromwich (head knock), and Josh Kerr are out for the Dolphins with Sean O’Sullivan the No.6, Mark Nicholls starting up front and Mason Teague and Kurt Donoghoe joining the bench.

Ben Te Kura comes onto the bench for Kobe Hetherington (head knock) whilst Payne Haas (foot) has been listed among the reserves as he eyes a return.

The Dolphins have won only four from nine at Suncorp this year.

Warriors head to Shire to meet Sharks

The Warriors will face the Sharks in their final clash of 2024 at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday night.

Sione Katoa (head knock) and Siosifa Talakai (calf) return with Jesse Ramien (suspension) and Mawene Hiroti dropping out.

Adam Pompey (knee) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (head knock) drop out for the Warriors with Ali Leiataua and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad the centres and Taine Tuaupiki coming into the fullback slot.

The Sharks have won seven from nine at PointsBet Stadium this year.

Knights take on Titans at McDonald Jones

Newcastle will look to keep their finals hopes alive when they host the Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.

Bradman Best (hamstring) is back for Newcastle with Dylan Lucas shifting to partner Brodie Jones in the second row due to the absence of Tyson Frizell (head knock) and Kai Pearce-Paul (laceration).

Phillip Sami returns into the centres for Des Hasler in place of AJ Brimson (groin).

The Titans have not won at McDonald Jones Stadium since 2016.

Roosters at Allianz for Raiders clash

The Roosters will look to inch closer to a Top 2 finish when they face the Raiders at Allianz on Sunday.

Connor Watson (head knock) and Brandon Smith (calf) return although Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i (neck) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (suspension) drop out.

Michael Jennings starts in the centres with Naufahu Whyte coming onto the bench.

Ricky Stuart has named the same 17 that upset the defending premier Panthers a week ago.

The Roosters are a perfect 10-from-10 against sides sitting outside the Top 8 this year.

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