NRL Teams List: Sharks receive huge spine boost, Roosters regain Origin star

The first week of finals football is here and the New Zealand Warriors and Cronulla Sharks will welcome back star players back from injuries.

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Elsewhere, an Origin representative will make his long-awaited return despite there being fears he wouldn’t play again this season

Read below for the full NRL Team Lists ahead of finals week one.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights @ Allianz Stadium, 7:50pm AEST

Rabbitohs Team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 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. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jye Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Adam Elliott 19. Latrell Siegwalt 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Talanoa Penitani 22. Peter Mamouzelos

Analysis: The Rabbitohs have made a couple of changes for their match against the Knights. Tallis Duncan (hamstring tightness) returns to the team and will immediately slot into the starting line-up in the back-row. This pushes Adam Elliott back to the interchange bench with Euan Aitken (scapula) dropping out of the squad after being ruled out for the remainder of the season. The only other change is Matthew Dufty replacing Jye Gray as the club’s starting fullback.

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. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Toby Winter 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Diesel Hagan

Analysis: It is mixed news for the Newcastle Knights who receive Dominic Young (suspension), Phoenix Crossland (knee) and Tyson Frizell (suspension) back. However, they will be without the forward duo of Jacob Saifiti (suspension) and Trey Mooney (shoulder) who picked up a season-ending injury. Mooney’s omission will see former Australian Schoolboys sensation Cody Hopwood start in the front-row. Meanwhile, young rising star Francis Manuleleua (dislocated elbow) has been cleared to play after originally being in doubt.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12

New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins @ Go Media Stadium, 4:05pm AEST

Warriors Team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 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. Jackson Ford 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 20. Adam Pompey 21. Jett Cleary 22. Luke Laulilii 23. Makaia Tafua

Analysis: A massive boost for the Warriors for the opening finals match with early 2026 Dally M Medal favourite JacksonFord (pectoral) named to play his first match since Round 16. Named on the extended bench, Ford replaces MorganGannon who has been dropped alongside Jett Cleary, Makaia Tafua and Jye Linnane. Explosive centre Leka Halasima (ankle) is back on deck and so is Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell after they were rested last round. Unfortunately, winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (collarbone) remains sidelined but according to all reports he will be available for their next match.

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. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Francis Molo 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Felise Kaufusi 19. Brad Schneider 20. Jake Averillo 21. Brian Pouniu 22. Tevita Naufahu

Analysis: The Dolphins will enter their first-ever finals match with a full strength side with Selwyn Cobbo (ankle), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (knee) and KodiNikorima (hamstring) all making their returns after missing last week’s match. The inclusion of the trio means Brian Pouniu, Jake Averillo and Tevita Naufahu drop out of the 22-man squad and have been named on the reserves.

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys @ Allianz Stadium, 7:50pm AEST

Sharks Team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Riley Jones 4. KL Iro 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. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Toby Rudolf 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Mawene Hiroti

Analysis: The Sharks will receive a massive boost to their spine for this week’s match with five-eighth BraydonTrindall (shoulder) making his return from injury. While Trindall will partner NichoHynes in the halves, the Sharks will also welcome back Blayke Brailey, KL Iro and Teig Wilton - all three were rested for last week’s match. Veteran BradenUele, Niwhai Puru, and rookies RileyPollard and Michael Gabrael (suspended) will make way while coach Craig Fitzgibbon has opted to go with Riley Jones in the centres. However, Mawene Hiroti could be a late inclusion into the starting side after being named on the reserves.

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. John Bateman 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Coen Hess 18. Kaiden Lahrs 19. Ethan King 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Sam McIntyre 22. Liam Sutton

Analysis:Griffin Neame (toe), JeremiahNanai (knee) and ZacLaybutt (concussion) are all back for the Cowboys this week in their elimination final. This means Kai O’Donnell and Sam McIntyre will drop to the reserves. However, one of these players could find themselves in the side if ReubenCotter - named in the No.13 jersey - finds himself guilty at the judiciary on Tuesday night.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters @ CommBank Stadium, 4:05pm AEST

Panthers Team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Luke Garner 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Blaize Talagi 19. Billy Scott 20. Luron Patea 21. Kalani Leuluai-going 22. Jesse McLean

Analysis: The return of Scott Sorensen (calf) will see Luron Patea make way from the interchange bench to the reserves in the club’s only change for Sunday’s match. However, co-captain Isaah Yeo (pectoral) will make his way into the starting side in his second game back from injury. Yeo’s move to the starting team, pushes Lindsay Smith into the starting front-row and Liam Henry to the interchange bench.

Roosters Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Angus Crichton 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau 20. Egan Butcher 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Taylor Losalu

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