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Big Penrith boost; Star’s crucial fitness test as Roosters prepare for Walker-less season — Team Tips The Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors are set to receive massive boosts Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Meanwhile, multiple teams are considering to rest several members of their squad as they gear up for the opening week of the finals. Elsewhere, the Newcastle Knights (who have the bye this week) have suffered a horror double blow with Jacob Saifiti set to cop a heavy suspension and back-rower Francis Manuleleua set to undergo scans after suffering a dislocated shoulder. Read for the latest team news ahead of Round 27! THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3 Canterbury Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos @ Accor Stadium, 7:50pm Last Week’s Bulldogs Team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Enari Tuala 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Jake Turpin 15. Alekolasimi Jones 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran 19. Sean O’Sullivan 23. Cooper Toy Team Tips: The Bulldogs may have lost to the Penrith Panthers over the weekend but they managed to get through the match unscathed with no injuries nor suspensions. Fijian international Viliame Kikau was placed on report and was later charged with Dangerous Contact but was only slapped with a fine. Meanwhile, winger Jonathan Sua (suspension) is available for selection after he returns from a one-match ban. Last Week’s Broncos Team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Ben Hunt 8. Xavier Willison 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Aublix Tawha 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Va’a Semu 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Gehamat Shibasaki Team Tips: The Broncos will be forced into at least one change as their season from hell will finally come to an end. With dummy-half Blake Mozer (concussion) unavailable due to the NRL’s mandatory 11-day stand-down protocols, CameronBukowski is his likely replacement as Cory Paix (shoulder) won’t return until next season. Meanwhile, CODE Sports has revealed Brendan Piakura (concussion) will be sidelined for the remainder of the year in a bid to save his NRL career. It is understood the Broncos are taking every precaution to look after his long-term welfare. “He won’t be coming back this year,” Maguire said. “The longer you can give those things the better a player will be. “We are taking concussion seriously and with what ‘Brendy’ has been through, there’s no need to rush him back to playing.” FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4 Gold Coast Titans vs Dolphins @ Cbus Super Stadium, 6pm Last Week’s Titans Team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jaylan De Groot 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Klese Haas 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Josh Patston 12. Kurtis Morrin 13. Cooper Bai 14. Moeaki Fotuaika 15. Chris Randall 16. Bodhi Sharpley 17. Luke Sommerton 18. Sialetili Faeamani 19. Arama Hau 20. Max Feagai Team Tips: Queensland Maroons representative and star back-rower Beau Fermor (ribs) is expected to return for the final match of the season as the Titans look to overtake the Broncos on the NRL ladder. Fermor’s inclusion isn’t set to be the only change with reports indicating Oliver Pascoe (shoulder) is in doubt for this week’s clash. The rising dummy-half failed to finish off last week’s match and it’s understood that he may be rested as he doesn’t look to cause further damage to his shoulder. Last Week’s Dolphins Team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Max Plath 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Ray Stone 15. Francis Molo 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Brian Pouniu 18. Brad Schneider 22. Kurt Donoghoe Team Tips: On track to keep third place after defeating the Roosters, the Dolphins could welcome back Connelly Lemuelu (hamstring) to the side but he isn’t expected to be rushed back into the line-up. If available, his inclusion will push Max Plath back to the six-man interchange bench with youngster Brian Pouniu the likely candidate to drop out. Jake Averillo is another option if the club want to bring some speed and X-factor off the bench. South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters @ Allianz Stadium, 8pm Last Week’s Rabbitohs Team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Tallis Duncan 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Euan Aitken 23. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Adam Elliott 19. Latrell Mitchell Team Tips: Don’t expect any changes from the Rabbitohs for this week as they look to secure a home final for the opening week of the finals series. Brandon Smith and Matt Dufty were both placed on report last round but won’t be facing any bans, while superstar Latrell Mitchell got through his return match unscathed. Playing off the interchange bench as a super-sub, Mitchell got through 30 minutes on the field and is set to play the exact same role this week. Last Week’s Roosters Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Billy Smith 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Nat Butcher 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Egan Butcher 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau Team Tips: The Roosters will be without Queensland Maroons halfback Sam Walker (ankle) for the remainder of the season after scans revealed he sustained a high-grade syndesmosis injury, per CODE Sports. Set to undergo surgery this week, Walker is expected to spend six to eight weeks on the sidelines which would will see him not play again this year. However, it is understood the Roosters remain confident he will be available to play in the grand final if they were to make - although he would need to make a miraculous recovery. Walker’s absence will see Daly Cherry-Evans wear the No.7 jersey and HugoSavala move from the centres to the halves. This opens up a spot in the back-line which is set to be taken by veteran Daniel Tupou (shoulder) who is closing in on a return this week. Cody Ramsey is another option. In other team news, back-rower Angus Crichton (foot) is also nearing a return to the field, while reports have indicated Victor Radley (concussion) will miss the week but will be ready for the opening week of the finals. SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5 New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles @ Go Media Stadium, 3pm Last Week’s Warriors Team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 22. Luke Hanson 23. Jett Cleary 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 18. Adam Pompey 21. Makaia Tafua Team Tips: The Warriors were able to secure a home final on the weekend but remains to be seen if coach Andrew Webster will decide to rest any players this week. Speaking to media after the match on Sunday, Webster stated that he is undetermined if he will rest his stars against the Sea Eagles. Unfortunately, they will be forced into at least one change with Luke Laulilii (concussion) unavailable for selection. Adam Pompey is likely to be a direct swap on the wing, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (suspension) is also available. It is unlikely that Chanel Harris-Tavita (hamstring) and Te Maire Martin (hamstring) will play given their injury history and an extra week of recovery will help gear them up for the finals. This will see Luke Hanson and Jett Cleary remain in the halves. Meanwhile, Jackson Ford (pectoral) and Luke Metcalf (hamstring) are progressing well and are set to be made available for the finals series. Speaking last week, Webster revealed Ford is a “week-to-week prospect” and will return in either week one, two or three of the finals. Last Week’s Sea Eagles Team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Josh Feledy 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Clayton Faulalo 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Simione Laiafi 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Nathan Brown 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nicholas Lenaz 16. Corey Waddell 17. Caleb Navale 18. Onitoni Large 19. Fletcher Baker Team Tips: The Sea Eagles aren’t expected to make any changes to their side as they look to finish the season off strong and didn’t pick up any injuries or suspensions in their match over the weekend. However, coach Kieran Foran may decided to hand first grade debuts to several younger members of their squad such as Hugo Hart or Navren Willett. North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 5:30pm Last Week’s Cowboys Team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Griffin Neame 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. John Bateman 17. Coen Hess 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Ethan King Team Tips: The Cowboys may have secured a spot in this year’s final series over the weekend, but they will be forced into making at least one change with Zac Laybutt (concussion) ruled out due to the NRL’s mandatory stand-down policy. Coach Todd Payten confirmed that he will be replaced by either Ethan King, Robert Derby or Ronald Philitoga. Meanwhile, it was confirmed last week that Origin star Murray Taulagi (concussion) has been ruled for six weeks after suffering his third head knock of the 2026 season. Leaving for Japanese rugby union at season’s end, it is a heartbreaking end to Taulagi’s rugby league career. “He’s seen the independent doctor and he’s stood down for six weeks,” Payten said. “It’s really disappointing, heartbreaking for him to finish that way with the club. I think everyone’s taken it pretty hard initially, but it’s important that what he does with the club for the next little period, he finishes on a good note within the building. “Everyone’s disappointed for him and he’ll be sadly missed.” Round 25 Raiders Team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Ata Mariota 14. Tom Starling 15. Joseph Roddy 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Daine Laurie 18. Vena Patuki-Case 19. Savelio Tamale Team Tips: Raiders fans could potentially get their first look at highly touted youngster Coby Black this weekend as coach Ricky Stuart contemplates blooding new talent for the final match of the season. Formerly seen as Adam Reynolds’ long-term successor at the Broncos, Black shocked the rugby league world at the end of last year when he decided to make the move to the nation’s capital as he continues his development. Another change to their line-up could be Simi Sasagi. According to The Canberra Times, Sasagi is understood to be weighing up the prospect undergoing surgery or continue playing as he gears up to represent Samoa at the World Cup at the end of the year. “My shoulder was never going to be 100 per cent. I knew it was going to be sore. I wasn’t really worried about my shoulder, to be honest,” Sasagi said. Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm @ Ocean Protect Stadium, 7:35pm Last Week’s Sharks Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Niwhai Puru 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 20. Riley Jones 21. Riley Pollard Team Tips: The Cronulla Sharks blew a sigh of relief after their match on Sunday when coach Craig Fitzgibbon revealed star front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake (knee) won’t spend any time on the sidelines. Fonua-Blake was seen heading down the tunnel in the opening half but did return for a stint to close out the game. Fitzgibbon was also confident Mawene Hiroti (ribs) will be available this week after picking up a minor injury in their loss to the Eels. While the duo are both set to be available, the status of five-eighth Braydon Trindall (shoulder) remains unknown but he won’t be rushed back to the field in case of doing more damage to his shoulder. Locked into sixth place, the Sharks may also opt several players of the squad but that remains to be seen. The most obvious will be blooding young halfback Riley Pollard. An Australian Schoolboys star, Pollard is regarded as the future of the club and could replace Nicho Hynes in the No.7 jersey to give the former Origin star a week of recovery. Last Week’s Storm Team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Tyran Wishart 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Trent Toelau 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Cooper Clarke 18. Angus Hinchey 19. Marion Seve Team Tips: It has been a season to forget for the Storm who have had a horror run of injuries throughout the entirety of this year’s campaign. Defeating the Brisbane Broncos last round, the players will look to finish their season on a high and coach Craig Bellamy hasn’t indicated that he will decide to rest players for the season’s final match. SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6 St George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels @ WIN Stadium, 2pm Last Week’s Dragons Team: 1. Daniel Atkinson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Josh Kerr 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Jacob Webster 18. Blake Lawrie 19. Setu Tu Team Tips: Dragons coach Dean Young isn’t expected to make any changes for this weekend, but due to it being the last round, he may decide to try out new combinations or players as he begins planning for next season. Despite this, four players that won’t be playing are David Fale (calf), Hayden Buchanan (shoulder), Hame Sele (Achilles) and Clint Gutherson (knee) who have been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Jacob Liddle (calf) and Jaydn Su’A (pectoral) are also on the injury ward but the duo are not expected to play, even though they are listed to be available for Round 27. Last Week’s Eels Team: 1. Apa Twidle 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Saxon Pryke 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Ryda Talagi 16. Teancum Brown 17. Dylan Walker 20. Kelma Tuilagi 21. Jonah Pezet Team Tips: The Eels were able to produce one of the upsets of the season over the weekend as they stunned the Cronulla Sharks and ruined any hopes their rivals had of making the top four. Taking on another main rival this weekend, it’s hard to imagine coach Jason Ryles will rest any of his stars and they are likely to remain unchanged. The only change which could happen is Jordan Samrani (groin) who is expected to be available for the clash and will look to finish the season on a high as he prepares for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup with Lebanon. Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers @ CommBank Stadium, 4:05pm Last Week’s Panthers Team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Liam Henry 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Lindsay Smith 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Luke Garner 17. Billy Phillips 18. Blaize Talagi 20. Kalani Leuluai-Going Team Tips: The Panthers injury crisis has deepened with centre Izack Tago (knee) facing multiple weeks on the sidelines after leaving the field in the latter stages of the match against the Bulldogs on Friday evening. According to CODE Sports, Tago will miss at least two weeks. However, depending on the grading of the damage to the knee, he could end up being ruled out for as long as six weeks. Blaize Talagi or Luke Garner are the likely candidates to replace him in the centres as Paul Alamoti (hamstring) remains unavailable. However, in some positive news for the club, CODE Sports understands hooker Mitch Kenny (ankle) is closing in on a return and is a chance of being named on the extended bench for this week’s match. Captain Isaah Yeo (pectoral) is also racing the clock to return to the field and will face a crucial strength test within the next fortnight which will determine if he plays again this season. Last Week’s Tigers Team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomane Saukuru 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Ethan Roberts 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Tristan Hope 20. Faaletino Tavana Team Tips: The Wests Tigers will receive veteran Alex Twal (concussion) back for the final match of their season but they could be without star five-eighth Jarome Luai (lower leg) who failed to finish the match against the Cowboys on Saturday night. According to The Herald, Luai will undergo scans to determine if he has played his final match for the club. If unavailable, Javon Andrews looms as the obvious replacement with Adam Doueihi (shoulder) and Latu Fainu (hamstring) both sidelined. Star winger Sunia Turuva (knee) is also 50/50 for this week’s match. The two-time premiership winner has been named on the reserves over the past two weeks but hasn’t been utilised as he looks to comeback from injury. Bye: Newcastle Knights