NRL 2026: Josh Schuster makes long-awaited return to field, Ike Bilish QLD Cup debut, finals confirmed, NSW Cup, QLD Cup, ressies wrap, nrl news

Nearly 18 months since his last match, former rugby league prodigy Josh Schuster has made his long-awaited return to the field.

Initially set to play at the beginning of August, his return to the field was delayed after he suffered a minor setback during an opposed session at training.

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He copped a blow to the throat from teammate Alex Twal but was cleared of major damage after spending time in hospital.

Despite the delay, he was able to make it back in time for the final match of the NSW Cup regular season.

Taking on his former team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Lidcombe Oval, Schuster ran for 29 metres, had 12 tackles and produced one line-break assist and a try assist to help put Starford To’a over the line.

The performance comes after he was handed a lifeline by the Wests Tigers in June, which saw him sign with the club on an NSWRL (NSW Cup) contract.

“I wasn’t mentally right and wasn’t in a good place. If your life is not good outside of footy, then it doesn’t work out on the field,” Schuster told James Graham’s The Bye Round in May.

“One of the factors [to return to the NRL] is to prove it to myself. The last couple of years, I was doing it for other people, trying to make other people happy, and putting other people before me.

”I can honestly say this is the happiest I’ve been in my own life, and just having a purpose in my life.“

Long touted as one of the most naturally gifted footballers for his age to lace up the boots, Schuster signed an $800,000 per season contract extension with the Manly Sea Eagles in June 2023.

But was released less than 12 months later.

After focusing on his mental health and overcoming weight issues during his career, Schuster’s main goal now is to return to first grade.

“I sat down with him and just said ‘if it’s about the money, don’t come’ and he said, ‘no, it’s not about the money, it’s about the opportunity’,” coach Benji Marshall said.

“He’s proven that. He’s taken the NSW Cup contract, which means he will train with us (NRL squad) one day a week.

“There is no risk for us. It’s not costing us anything. The flip side is, if he returns to what everyone knows he can be, it’s a big bonus for us.”

TITANS PRODIGY MAKES STATEMENT IN DEBUT

In his QLD Cup debut, young Gold Coast Titans prospect Jai Bilish has shown why he is regarded as a key piece of the club’s future and is being earmarked as their long-term No.9.

Still attending Palm Beach Currumbin High School, the Year 12 student had two try assists, one line-break assist, 40 running metres, 13 tackles and crossed over for a four-pointer for the Tweed Seagulls.

A member of this year’s Australian Schoolboys squad, the talented young gun trained with the Titans’ NRL squad over the Christmas break in 2025 and will enter full-time training in 2027 before progressing to the club’s Top 30 squad.

Contracted through to the end of 2030, his brothers Rokko and Ike are also members of the ‘Future Titans’ academy.

“Jai is exactly the type of player we want to build our future around,” Titans Director of Football Scott Sattler said of Bilish.

“He’s shown tremendous growth in a short period of time and has a real appetite to learn, improve and do the little things well.

“That mindset is critical to where we want to go as a club.

“Beyond Jai’s ability on the field, he’s a terrific person who understands what it means to be part of this club and this community.”

NSW CUP FINALS CONFIRMED

The Penrith Panthers have secured this year’s minor premiership and will progress straight into the second week of the finals, while four other clubs round out the top-five on the NSW Cup ladder.

Penrith will face the winner of the clash between North Sydney Bears (second) and Newcastle Knights (third) next week to progress straight into the grand final.

Meanwhile, the losers will get a second chance and will take on either the Newtown Jets or New Zealand Warriors.

QLD CUP TOP EIGHT FINALISED

Unlike the NSW Cup, the QLD Cup will have four matches played this weekend in the same structure as the NRL.

After claiming the minor premiership, the Sunshine Coast Falcons, who only lost on four occasions this season, will host the fourth-place Burleigh Bears in the first game of the weekend.

Meanwhile, the second-place Redcliffe Dolphins will play host to the Central Queensland Capras for a spot in the preliminary final.

In the elimination matches, Ipswich Jets will take on the Mackay Cutters while the Perth Bears-affiliated Brisbane Tigers managed to sneak into the top eight and will take on the Townsville Blackhawks.