NRL 2026 Round 23 team news, injures, changes, Luke Metcalf to replace Te Maire Martin, James Tedesco fitness test, Dylan Walker rested

Luke Metcalf is finally set to get his chance to impress while the Panthers have confirmed a big blow.

Elsewhere, the Roosters have made a call on James Tedesco.

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Meanwhile, the Parramatta Eels have revealed the surprising reason Dylan Walker won’t play this weekend, and confirmed halves prodigy Jonah Pezet has picked up yet another injury.

THURSDAY AUGUST 6

Gold Coast Titans vs. North Queensland Cowboys, 7.50pm @ Cbus Super Stadium

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Jojo Fifita 20. Jaylan De Groot 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 4. AJ Brimson 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 18. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 12. Beau Fermor 15. Josh Patston 13. Chris Randall 7. Lachlan Ilias 9. Oliver Pascoe 11. Arama Hau 14. Kurtis Morrin 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai

Players Cut: 19. Adam Christensen 21. Sialetili Faeamani 22. Jett Liu

Late Mail: The Titans have made mass changes after confirming earlier in the week that rookie halfback Zane Harrison (hamstring) will miss the remainder of the season. Lachlan Ilias was initially named as his replacement but instead AJ Brimson shifts to the halves with Jaylan De Groot starting in the centres. Meanwhile, Sam Verrills is a surprise inclusion at hooker with Oliver Pascoe back to the bench along with Arama Hau, with Josh Patston starting.

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Jaxon Purdue 8. Griffin Neame 9. Soni Luke 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Ethan King 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Coen Hess 18. Sam McIntyre 20. John Bateman

Players Cut: 19. Kaiden Lahrs 21. Liam Sutton 22. Ronald Philitoga

Late Mail: Not only are the Cowboys without Tom Dearden at the moment, but they will now lose Jeremiah Nanai (hamstring) for the next two to three weeks after picking up an injury in the club’s loss to the Sydney Roosters last week. The club have also made a late change with John Bateman moving from the reserves to the six-man extended bench. This will see Kaiden Lahrs drop out.

FRIDAY AUGUST 7

New Zealand Warriors vs. Penrith Panthers, 6pm @ Go Media Stadium

Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 18. Luke Metcalf 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. Morgan Gannon 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 20. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Adam Pompey 21. Riley Price

Late Mail:Luke Metcalf is set to start in the halves for the first time since April with Te Maire Martin ruled out after picking up a hamstring injury at training on Wednesday. “We know if we need Luke at any stage he’s a world-class player,” Warriors coach Andrew Webster told NRL 360 this week. “He’s training really well and he’s in our 19 most weeks. Luke knows if he keeps working hard, hard work makes your own luck.” The club has confirmed forward Demitric Vaimauga (ribs) has been sidelined indefinitely after picking up an injury in the Warriors’ final training session on the Gold Coast last Friday. Meanwhile, Rocco Berry (hamstring) is set to be available for selection next week while Jackson Ford (pectoral) is set to return in time for this year’s finals series.

Players cut: 22. Makaia Tafua 7. Te Maire Martin

Panthers team: 1. Jaxen Edgar 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Izack Tago 5. Brian To’o 19. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Jack Cole 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luron Patea

Late Mail: The Panthers will be without five-eighth Jack Cogger, who did not travel with the team to New Zealand due to the impending birth of his child. It means Blaize Talagi will have a chance to impress after a stint in NSW Cup last week.

Players cut: 6. Jack Cogger 22. Kalani Leuluai-Going

Sydney Roosters vs. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 8pm @ Allianz Stadium

Roosters team: 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. Spencer Leniu 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Nat Butcher 17. Egan Butcher 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Rex Bassingthwaighte 21. Benaiah Ioelu

Players cut: 1. James Tedesco 22. Delasalle Vaa

Late Mail: Skipper James Tedesco is out after undergoing a crunch fitness test on Thursday. Tedesco didn’t play the second half of last week’s win against NQ after suffering a minor ankle injury. Cody Ramsey will start at fullback.

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Enari Tuala 5. Jethro Rinakama 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. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Harry Hayes 17. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Jake Turpin 22. Sean O’Sullivan

Late Mail: The Bulldogs are expected to line up as named, with Sitili Tupouniua locked in to return from a hamstring injury. “Just watching him out there training last night gave everyone a little bit of excitement, and looking forward to him coming off the bench tomorrow,” Cameron Ciraldo said on Thursday. Elsewhere, the Bulldogs coach also opened up on just how much “bravery” skipper Stephen Crichton showed in playing through his shoulder injury. “During that period you know he was busted quite clearly and probably shouldn’t have played,” Ciraldo said. “But he’s brave enough to keep turning up and putting his body on the line when he was nowhere near 100 per cent. Your best leaders have to be brave at times, whether it’s physical bravery or the emotional bravery to turn up and have the same energy every Monday morning – win, lose or draw – and that’s what I saw from Critta”.

Players cut: 21. Alekolasimi Jones 23. Jonathan Sua

SATURDAY AUGUST 8

Melbourne Storm vs. Manly Sea Eagles, 3pm @ HBF Park

Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Hayden Watson 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Tyran Wishart 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Trent Toelau 15. Shawn Blore 16. Davvy Moale 17. Angus Hinchey 18. Joe Chan 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Gabriel Satrick 21. Stanley Huen 22. Manaia Waitere

Late Mail: To come.

Sea Eagles team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Blake Wilson 6. Joey Walsh 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Ethan Bullemor 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Simione Laiafi 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Jackson Shereb 19. Josh Feledy 20. Onitoni Large 21. Nicholas Lenaz 22. Hugo Hart

Late Mail: In a horror blow for the Sea Eagles, forward Kobe Hetherington (ruptured bicep) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a training mishap on Monday. The middle forward will undergo surgery next week before commencing his rehabilitation process to get him ready for the 2027 season.

Dolphins vs. Brisbane Broncos, 5.30pm @ Suncorp Stadium

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. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Max Plath 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Felise Kaufusi 18. Sebastian Su’a 19. Brad Schneider 20. Brian Pouniu 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Jake Averillo

Late Mail: To come.

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Xavier Willison 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Va’a Semu 16. Ben Talty 17. Gehamat Shibasaki 18. Jack Gosiewski 19. Hayze Perham 20. Blake Mozer 21. Jesse Arthars 22. Aublix Tawha

Late Mail: To come.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Parramatta Eels, 7.35pm @ Allianz Stadium

Souths team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Tallis Duncan 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Adam Elliott 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Thomas Fletcher 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Moala Graham-Taufa 22. John Radel

Late Mail: To come.

Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Sam Tuivaiti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Luca Moretti 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin 14. Saxon Pryke 15. Junior Paulo 16. Teancum Brown 17. Kelma Tuilagi 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 20. Toni Mataele 21. Sean Russell 22. Ryley Smith

Late Mail: Dylan Walker has not been named but the club says the bench utlity is not injured and is instead being rested for this week. This comes as Jonah Pezet’s (shoulder) injury troubles have continued, with the young halfback set to spend the next two weeks on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Bailey Simonsson (ankle), who was originally listed to make his return last week, remains sidelined indefinitely.

SUNDAY AUGUST 9

Canberra Raiders vs. Newcastle Knights, 2pm @ GIO Stadium

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Ata Mariota 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Joseph Roddy 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Daine Laurie 18. Savelio Tamale 19. Matt Nicholson 20. Coby Black 21. Mark Tuialii 22. Vena Patuki-Case

Late Mail: To come.

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Cody Hopwood 16. Lachlan Crouch 17. Thomas Cant 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Brodie Jones 20. Toby Winter 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Diesel Hagan

Late Mail: The club has confirmed that Harrison Graham missed last week’s match due to hamstring tightness. However, the utility will make his return to the field this week. This comes as veteran Tyson Frizell has been named to start in the front-row for his 300th NRL match.

St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Cronulla Sharks, 4.05pm @ Jubilee Stadium

Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 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. Emre Guler 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Josh Kerr 16. Jacob Halangahu 17. Jacob Webster 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Mathew Feagai 20. Luciano Leilua 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Ryan Hutchinson

Late Mail: Named on the extended six-man bench, the Dragons have confirmed that Jacob Webster will make his debut this week. A former Under-19s NSW Blues representative, Webster is having a breakout season in NSW Cup this year, averaging 131 metres and making 672 total tackles at over 95 per cent efficiency.

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Michael Gabrael 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Late Mail: The club has announced that the omission of KL Iro (concussion) is due to injury. And this could open up the door for youngster Michael Gabrael to make his NRL debut off the extended six-man interchange bench.