TEAM NEWS: NRL Witzer Pre-Season Challenge - 2026 Week 1

Check here for team news ahead of the 2026 Pre-Season Challenge first week - with two games scheduled this week.

Team announcements are expected at 4pm AEDT Tuesday. Teams can name up to 28 players (up to 15 interchanges). Clubs must then finalise their teamlist one hour before kickoff on Saturday.

All times are listed in AEDT (NSW/VIC/ACT) unless otherwise noted. Both matches will be broadcast on Fox League and Kayo Sports.

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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v North Queensland Cowboys
Sat February 7 2026, 5:30pm at Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal

1. Taye Cochrane 2. Cooper Toy 3. Sosaia Alatini 4. Jed Reardon 5. Jonathan Sua 6. Joseph Teaupa 7. Alex Conti 14. Fletcher Baker 9. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Alekolasimi Jones 12. Logan Spinks 13. Lipoi Hopoi 15. Sosefo Finau 16. Zyon Maiu'u 17. Aaymon Fitzgibbon 19. Jack Underhill 20. Raymond Puru 21. Hamish Wilson 22. Jope Rauqe 23. Michael Nassar 24. Justin Matamua 25. Bud Smith 26. Bailey Myers 27. Louis Grossemy

Late mail: 8. Daniel Suluka-Fifita is out with former Rooster and Bronco Fletcher Baker coming in at prop.

1. Mason Barber 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Liam Sutton 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Jake Clifford 8. Harrison Edwards 9. Xavier Kerrisk 10. Thomas Mikaele 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kai O'Donnell 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Zac Herdegen 15. Kaiden Lahrs 16. Mason Kira 17. Matthew Watts 18. Creedence Toia 19. Ronald Philitoga 20. Maddox Goodwin 21. Wiremu Greig 22. Tyler Moriarty 23. Joseph Doyle 24. Isaiah Latu  25. Mitchell Prest 26. Aitasi James

Late mail: As named, no changes.

Match Officials
Referees: Liam Kennedy;Sideline Officials: Clayton Wills, Dillian Wells;Video Referees: Ashley Klein;

Last met: 2025 Round 19 - Canterbury def North Qld 12-8 at QLD Country Bank Stadium

St George Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights
Sat February 7 2026, 7:30pm at Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. David Fale 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Setu Tu 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kade Reed 8. Josh Kerr 9. Haele Finau 10. Toby Couchman 11. Ryan Couchman 12. Jacob Halangahu 13. Hame Sele 14. Tyler Peckham-Harris 15. Charles Heidke 16. Hayden Buchanan 17. Nicholas Tsougranis 18. Joseph O'Neill 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 20. Isaiah Fagalilo 21. Blake Lawrie 22. Dylan Coutts 23. Cyrus Stanley-Traill 24. Ryan Hutchinson

Late mail: 1-24 with no changes to the side named.

1. Fletcher Hunt 2. James Schiller 3. Kyle McCarthy 4. Wilson De Courcey 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Harrison Graham 10. Trey Mooney 11. Thomas Cant 18. Brodie Jones 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Matthew Arthur 17. Pasami Saulo 20. Connor Votano 21. Sosaia Latu 22. Asu Kepaoa 23. Logan Aoake 24. Matthew Hunter 25. Peter Hola 26. Elijah Leaumoana 27. Francis Manuleleua 28. Lachlan Crouch

Late mail: 12. Jermaine McEwen is out with Jones to start in the back row, while 19. Cody Hopwood drops off the interchange.

Match Officials
Referees: Peter Gough;Sideline Officials: Tom Cambourn, Jake Sutherland;Video Referees: Wyatt Raymond;

Last met: 2025 Round 13 - St Geo Illa def Newcastle 20-6 at Jubilee Stadium