Check out our team list analysis for the remainder of Round 1, back in Australia!
Storm vs Eels – Thursday 8:00PM at Accor Stadium
Storm
As expected, Sua Faaologo has been named to start the season at fullback. Nick Meaney moves to the wing, with Moses Leo coming into the side at centre after Xavier Coates was ruled out with an achilles injury. Joe Chan, Ativalu Lisati and Alec McDonald have all been named to start.
Eels
Moses and Pezet form a new look halves pairing, with the latter coming up against his old team. Addo-Carr will miss the next month with a thumb injury, which sees Sean Russel slide to the wing and Brian Kelly to debut for Parra. Jack de Belin will also don the famous blue and gold for the first time.
SuperCoach Analysis
Moses Leo seems an obvious buy considering his rookie pricing and job security after the Lomax news today. Jahrome Hughes is popular at halfback, though he might find points slightly harder to come by after losing elite back rower Eli Katoa for this season. One of Chan and Lisati can be considerations, with Blore injured and potential suspension issues lingering.
Pezet is an easy lock at the 5-8 spot considering the lack of options there and his starting price of $235k. Mitch Moses is underpriced considering he will kick goals this season. I am tipping both Hopgood and Williams to get through a lot of work and again be Supercoach relevant.
Warriors vs Roosters – Friday 6:00PM at Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Warriors
Tuivasa-Sheck and Harris-Tavita have both recovered from preseason injuries to start in the season opener. Tanah Boyd continues at halfback while Luke Metcalf recovers from the ACL injury sustained last year. The highly rated Jacob Laban has won a starting spot on the edge, with Leka Halasima on the bench.
Roosters
Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans partner in the halves. Benaiah Ioelu replaces the injured Reece Robson at hooker, with Connor Watson being named on the bench.
SuperCoach Analysis
Erin Clark is a Supercoach gun and wouldn’t look out of place in starting sides. Laban is very highly rated, but with Niukore to return and Halasima lurking on the bench, he might not have much job security. At sub $300k, he is cheap enough if you want to take a punt though.
Tedesco, Nawaqanitawase, Walker and Crichton are all amazing Supercoach options. I would steer clear of Ioelu.
Broncos vs Panthers – Friday 8:00PM at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos
A pretty familiar looking Broncos lineup. Walsh at fullback, Reynolds and Mam in the halves, with Ben Hunt off the bench. Jack Gosiewski replaces the injured Brendan Piakura in the back row.
Panthers
Luke Garner has been named to start in place of the injured Liam Martin. Nathan Cleary will play after he successfully downgraded his charge at the judiciary.
SuperCoach Analysis
Walsh, Shibasaki, Haas & Carrigan should all be considered. Shibasaki has the potential to be undervalued and a huge POD option if he can repeat last year as he is expected to be a beneficiary of the new scoring system.
My current Classic side features only one Penrith player – Isaah Yeo. He is undervalued under the new scoring system due to his work rate. Nathan Cleary will be one of the best options as usual, though I am opting to run a rookie halves pairing to prioritise cash generation in the early rounds. Brian To’o is very cheap at $570k if he can find something close to the output we have seen in previous seasons.
Sharks vs Titans- Saturday 5:30PM at Ocean Protect Stadium
Sharks
Sam Stonestreet will cover for the long term absentee Ronaldo Mulitalo. Briton Nikora and Billy Burns have been named in the back row, with Jesse Colquhoun named at lock.
Titans
Jayden Campbell has been ruled out for 2-4 weeks with a hamstring injury. This will see Lachlan Ilias partner AJ Brimson in the halves. Keano Kini will start at fullback, with Sieletili Faeamani named on the wing. Another former Dragon, Max Feagai will debut for the Titans at centre. Arama Hau will start in the back row with Beau Fermor.
SuperCoach Analysis
Plenty of Supercoach relevance at the Sharks in 2026. KL Iro, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey and Briton Nikora are all Supercoach guns. I also think guys like Ramien and Colquhoun are underpriced and can do a great job at a cheaper price. Colquhoun especially should make decent coin.
Arama Hau could be the FRF cheapie we were all waiting for after being named to start on an edge at $235k. Kini is very underpriced as his 2025 was injury effected. I expect Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Beau Fermor to both benefit from the scoring changes, and will be locking one or both into my starting side. We also expect Tino to gain dual position status after being named to start at Prop.
Sea Eagles vs Raiders – Saturday 7:35PM at 4Pines Park
Sea Eagles
Haumole Olakau’atu and Taniela Paseka both return from injury to take their places in the starting side. Jamal Fogarty will don the Manly #7 jersey against his old club.
Raiders
Ethan Sanders replaces the departed Jamal Fogarty. Simi Sasagi has won the centre spot, while Noah Martin starts on the edge. Zac Hosking will be off the bench, while Matty Nicholson is on the reserves list (which I assume is fitness related) Tapine, Papalii and Horsburgh form a formidable forward pack.
SuperCoach Analysis
I expect Jamal Fogarty to goal kick after he was considerably more accurate in 2025. This reduces Garricks appeal for me. Tom Trbojevic is a gun, however with injury doubts always following him, I prefer to look elsewhere at fullback. Paseka is popular at his injury reduced price. Haumole Olakau’atu is a Supercoach weapon. I was keen on Simpkin as I expected him to be an 80 minute hooker, however there are a few options on the 6 man bench who can spell him. Probably a wait and see.
Sanders is a lock if you are wanting a cheapie halfback. Tapine & Young will be elite again. I like Noah Martin, though am worried about job security with Hosking and Nicholson lurking.
Dolphins vs Rabbitohs – Sunday 3:05PM at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins
Selwyn Cobbo has been named on the wing. Tom Gilbert has been named at Prop while Daniel Saifiti remains sidelined. Tom Flegler returns and will start his first game after almost 2 years out of the game with nerve issues in his shoulder. Morgan Knowles will start at lock. Trai Fuller is on the 6 man bench.
Rabbitohs
David Fifita, Bronson Garlick (both new recruits) and Cameron Murray (injury) come into the side. Latrell Mitchell will play centre as expected, with Jye Gray at fullback. Tallis Duncan has only made the bench, with Euan Aitken preferred to partner David Fifita. Ashton Ward is the #7.
Supercoach Analysis
Farnworth is the standout Supercoach option here, and will very likely be the highest averaging CTW in 2026. Morgan Knowles could be interesting at lock, though is hard to suggest as a buy with a lot of cattle to come back into this Dolphins side (Plath, Saifiti, JMK)
Jye Gray is a decent mid range option at fullback. Mitchell and Graham can be considered in your CTW, while Koloamatangi should again be a premium FRF option. David Fifita is an absolute must have at his price. I will be running Cody Walker and hoping his body holds up better than it did in 2025. I am still shocked Tallis Duncan has missed selection in the starting side.
