TEAM NEWS: NRL Witzer Pre-Season Challenge - 2026 Week 3

Check here for team news ahead of the third and final week of 2026 Pre-Season Challenge action.

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. All matches will be broadcast on Fox League and Kayo Sports.

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Warriors v Dolphins
Fri February 20 2026, 6:00pm at Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Haizyn Mellars 6. Luke Hanson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Morgan Gannon 16. Leka Halasima 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 18. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Kayliss Fatialofa 22. Jack Thompson 23. Makaia Tafua 24. Motu Pasikala 25. Sio Kali 26. Caelys-paul Putoko  27. Geronimo Doyle 28. Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea 29. Paea Sikuvea

1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Brad Schneider 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Tevita Naufahu 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. John Fineanganofo 18. Sebastian Su'a 19. Elijah Rasmussen 20. Brian Pouniu 21. Zac Garton 22. Brent Woolf 23. Adaquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke 24. Sangstar Figota  25. Noah Fien 26. Elijah McKay

Match Officials
Referees: Grant Atkins;Sideline Officials: Dave Munro, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski;Video Referees: Adam Gee;

Late Mail: No changes ahead of kickoff tonight.

Last met: 2025 Round 22 - Dolphins 20-18 at Go Media

PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE CHANCES: After losing their opening Pre-Season fixtures, both clubs are out of the running for the 2026 Pre-Season Challenge top spot prize.

Wests Tigers v Penrith Panthers
Fri February 20 2026, 8:10pm at Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal

1. Jahream Bula 2. Heamasi Makasini 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To'a 5. Sunia Turuva 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Apisai Koroisau 13. Alex Twal 11. Samuela Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Sione Fainu 10. Fonua Pole 14. Jock Madden 15. Jack Attard 28. Javon Andrews 18. Patrick Herbert 19. Tony Sukkar 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Tristan Hope 22. Heath Mason 23. Luke Laulilii 24. Jared Haywood  25. Mavrik Geyer 26. Faaletino Tavana 27. Charlie Murray 29. Lachlan Broederlow

Late Mail: Kai Pearce Paul is out with Seyfarth starting. Sione Fainu starts at lock with Alex Twal shifting to prop. Fonua Pole goes back to the bench. 

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To'o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Kalani Going 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Billy Phillips 16. Zakauri Clarke 17. Luron Patea 18. Jaxen Edgar 19. Patrick Moimoi 20. Tom Ale 21. Jesse McLean 22. Sione Fonua 23. Kurt Falls 24. Keahn Skipps 25. Jirah Liddiard 26. Billy Scott 27. Harry Armstrong 28. Tuaomaliemavaitoelau Patea

Match Officials
Referees: Ashley Klein;Sideline Officials: Mitchell Currie, Phil Henderson;Video Referees: Chris Butler;

Last met: 2025 Round 21 - Penrith 36-2 at Commbank

PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE CHANCES: The Tigers are well and truly in the running for the main prize after picking up 15 points in the second week. Penrith sit on 0 and are out of the running.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Canberra Raiders
Sat February 21 2026, 3:50pm at Polytec Stadium, Gosford / Darkinjung

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braeden Uele 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Niwhai Puru 23. Riley Jones  24. Michael Gabrael 25. Harrison Hassett 26. Taj Ford 27. Riley Pollard 28. Chris Veaila

Late mail: 20. Mawene Hiroti drops off the bench, with Gabrael, Hassett, Ford, Pollard and Veaila all added on match day.

1. Daine Laurie 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Alaia 7. Jalen Afamasaga 8. Ata Mariota 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Zac Hosking 11. Matt Nicholson 12. Noah Martin 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Jed Stuart 16. Sione Finau 17. Jordan Uta 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Mark Tuialii 20. Shaun Packer 21. Myles Martin 22. Jake Clydsdale 23. Joseph Roddy 24. Saxon Innes  25. Braydan Darmody 26. Michael Asomua 27. Samuel Hyne 28. Vena Patuki-Case

Late mail: 1-28 as named on Tuesday.

Match Officials
Referees: Gerard Sutton;Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Belinda Sharpe;Video Referees: Chris Butler;

Last met: 2025 Semi Final - Cronulla 32-12 at GIO

PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE CHANCES: Picking up 3 bonus points in their Week 2 win, Canberra are in with a shot at the main prize, while Cronulla (0) are out of the running.

Sydney Roosters v Parramatta Eels
Sat February 21 2026, 6:00pm at Polytec Stadium, Gosford / Darkinjung

1. James Tedesco 2. Tommy Talau 3. Billy Smith 4. Fetalaiga Pauga 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 19. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 15. Siua Wong 13. Blake Steep 14. Connor Watson 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Egan Butcher 18. Salesi Foketi 20. Reece Foley 21. Max McCathie 22. Toby Rodwell 23. Tom Rodwell 24. Junior Tupou 25. Taylor Losalu

Late mail: 9. Reece Robson is out with Benaiah Ioelu starting at hooker. 12. Nat Butcher is also a late omission with Siua Wong starting on the edge.

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J'maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin 14. Dylan Walker 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Tallyn Da Silva 18. Charlie Guymer 19. Kelma Tuilagi 20. Joash Papali'i 21. Brian Kelly 22. Jordan Samrani 23. Ronald Volkman 24. Araz Nanva  25. Jake Tago 26. Lorenzo Talataina 27. Teancum Brown

Late mail: 1-27 as named.

Match Officials
Referees: Wyatt Raymond;Sideline Officials: Jon Stone, Kieren Irons;Video Referees: Kasey Badger;

Last met: 2025 Round 25 - Parramatta 30-10 at Commbank

PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE CHANCES: The Eels are in with a big shot after a big Week 2 win, but the Roosters with 2 points are not a chance.

Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans
Sat February 21 2026, 8:10pm at Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina / Kabi Kabi

1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Will Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 5. Moses Leo 22. Hugo Peel 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Alec MacDonald 14. Trent Toelau 15. Cooper Clarke 16. Davvy Moale 17. Trent Loiero 18. Angus Hinchey 19. Gabriel Satrick 20. Preston Conn 21. Manaia Waitere 23. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 24. Mitchell Jennings  25. Jack Hetherington 26. Amare Milford 27. Lazarus Vaalepu

Late mail: 4. Nick Meaney is out. Peel comes in on the wing with Leo shifting to centre.

1. Keano Kini 2. Phillip Sami 3. Max Feagai 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Sialetili Faeamani 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Josh Patston 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Klese Haas 16. Tukimihia Simpkins 17. Cooper Bai 18. Jett Liu 19. Jenson Taumoepeau 20. Arama Hau 21. Lachlan Ilias 22. Zane Harrison 23. Luke Sommerton 24. Jaylan De Groot

Late mail: 1-24 as named.

Match Officials
Referees: Peter Gough;Sideline Officials: Tyson Brough, Michael Wise;Video Referees: Ashley Klein;

Last met: 2025 Round 13 - Melbourne 28-16 at Cbus Super

PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE CHANCES: The Storm picked up no points in the first week, but the Titans managed a full suite of 15 so will be in the hunt pending other weekend results.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Sun February 22 2026, 4:00pm at Glen Willow Regional Stadium, Mudgee / Wiradjuri

1. Jye Gray 23. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Tallis Duncan 12. David Fifita 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jamie Humphreys 15. Peter Mamouzelos 16. Bronson Garlick 17. Euan Aitken 18. Jordi Mazzone 19. Adam Elliott 20. Lachlan Hubner 21. Sean Keppie 22. Matthew Dufty 24. Liam Le Blanc  25. Latrell Siegwalt 26. Matthew Humphries 27. Thomas Fletcher 28. John Radel 2. William Afualo

Late mail: Alex Johnston is out, with BBH coming in on the wing. Afualo is added to the bench.

1. Clayton Faulalo 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Hugo Hart 12. Corey Waddell 13. Nathan Brown 14. Joey Walsh 15. Blake Wilson 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Kobe Hetherington 18. Zach Dockar-Clay 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Simione Laiafi 21. Jackson-levi Shereb-schmidt 22. Josh Feledy 24. Blake Metcalfe

Late mail: 23. Navren Willett drops off the extended bench.

Match Officials
Referees: Todd Smith;Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Liam Kennedy;Video Referees: Grant Atkins;

Last met: 2025 Round 18 - Manly 30-12 at 4 Pines

PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE CHANCES: Both sides will know by kickoff on Sunday whether they have a hope. Both sit on 13, so the winner of this game would need to bank the full suite of 15 points to reach 28 and hope none of the clubs on 15 points pick up 14 or 15 in their second game.