Rapid fire Tuesday, Finals Week 1: Big returns, Sharks question mark, Cowboys gamble

The teams are in, and there are a stack of returning players.

EDITOR | September 8, 2026 - 5:38pm

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The teams are in for the opening week of the NRL finals series, with all eight clubs confirming plenty of key players will be back on the park for the most important time of year.

Eyebrows have been raised at the Cronulla Sharks, while the North Queensland Cowboys are awaiting a judiciary gamble in other big talking points this week.

Here are all the changes for Week 1 of the finals in the latest edition of Rapid Fire.

» Finals Week 1 team lists in full

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Jye Gray is dumped back to the bench, with Matt Dufty returning to the starting side.
Tallis Duncan returns from a rest in the second-row, with Adam Elliott back to the bench.
The Rabbitohs are otherwise totally unchanged as they head into this elimination final.

Newcastle Knights

The Knights had the bye leading in to the finals, and will welcome Dominic Young back on to the wing for this one, with Fletcher Hunt dropping back to the bench.
Tyson Frizell is back from suspension too, although only takes the spot of Jacob Saifiti who is done for the year with a suspension of his own.
Cody Hopwood is also named to start, with Trey Mooney out.
Francis Manuleleua will remarkably not miss a game despite his injury in Auckland, while Harrison Graham heads back to the bench with Phoenix Crossland to start.
Diesel Hagan drops off the bench.

New Zealand Warriors

Leka Halasima slots back into the centres for the Warriors, with Adam Pompey dropping back to the bench.
Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell return from a rest, with Sam Healey and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava dropping back to the bench.
Jackson Ford is back in a mega boost for the Warriors, named on the bench. Makaia Tafua, Morgan Gannon, Jett Cleary and Jye Linnane all drop out.

The Dolphins

Selwyn Cobbo returns on the wing, and Kodi Nikorima at five-eighth. Tevita Naufahu and Jake Averillo drop out.
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is also back on the edge, with Brian Pouniu also dropping all the way out of the side.
No other changes for the Dolphins.

Cronulla Sharks

Michael Gabrael is out suspended. Riley Jones retains his centre spot, with KL Iro returning from a rest.
Braydon Trindall is back from injury and will be hoping his should holds together. Nicho Hynes is also back from a rest, with Riley Pollard and Niwhai Puru both dropping out. Intriguingly, Craig Fitzgibbon has gone with six forwards on the bench and has no cover for Trindall.
Blayke Brailey returns at dummy half, with Hohepa Puru dropping back to the bench, while Jesse Colquhoun starts up front with Toby Rudolf back to the bench.
Teig Wilton is also back, with Billy Burns going to the bench.
Braden Uele and Sam Stonestreet drop out, while Mawene Hiroiti is a chance of playing after being named in jersey 22.

North Queensland Cowboys

Zac Laybutt is back on the wing for the Cowboys, claiming the spot of Robert Derby.
Griffin Neame starts at prop alongside Jason Taumalolo, with Coen Hess back to the bench.
Jeremiah Nanai is back, so John Bateman drops to the bench, while the Cowboys will sweat on Reuben Cotter beating the judiciary tonight.
Kai O'Donnell is the other player to drop out.

Penrith Panthers

Isaah Yeo returns to the starting side at lock. Lindsay Smith moves back to prop and Liam Henry to the bench.
Scott Sorensen is back for the Panthers, taking the spot of Luron Patea on the bench.