Rapid fire Tuesday, pre-season challenge Week 3: Selection hints galore, key battles to continue

All 12 teams are in for the final week of the pre-season challenge, and in most cases, it's a case of a Round 1 tune up with plenty of stars having their first hit out for the year.

Here are all the big talking points as quickly as you can digest them, with the return of Zero Tackle's rapid fire Tuesday for 2026.

» All 12 team lists for Week 3

New Zealand Warriors vs The Dolphins

New Zealand Warriors

• Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad looks as if he will be retained at fullback despite the threat of Taine Tuaupiki, who is playing but in the reserves.
• Ali Leiataua and Adam Pompey likely in a straight shootout for a centre spot. Roger Tuviasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will be back for Round 1 to complete the backline.
• Te Maire Martin's broken leg means there is a real chance for Luke Hanson to impress at five-eighth. There coul dbe a spot open there to start the season with Luke Metcalf also missing.
• Plenty of forwards rested for the Warriors, but Tanner Stowers-Smith might have his nose in front to secure some minutes before Mitchell Barnett returns from an ACL injury in either Round 2 or 3, assuming Jackson Ford and James Fisher-Harris start in Round 1.
• Leka Halasima's case could be a curious one to follow. Named at centre last week, and the bench behind Jacob Laban this week. Hard to see him not starting in the second-row come Round 1, but watch this space.

The Dolphins

• No Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow means it's tough to assess what the plans are for Trai Fuller, but reports this week suggest he could take the fullback jumper in Round 1. He, as well as Selwyn Cobbo and Jake Averillo who has been named at centre, will be intriguing watches for the Dolphins this weekend.
• Tom Gilbert at prop is an intriguing one - most would have assumed he was going to be in the second-row come Round 1.
• So too is Brad Schneider at dummy half. Jeremy Marshall-King will miss the first six weeks of the year, so there is a spot there. Max Plath could yet return in time for Round 1, but just maybe, it's Schneider who has the inside running.

Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers

Wests Tigers

• Heamasi Makasini gets another run on the wing in a bid to push for a Round 1 spot. Starford To'a being named in the centres suggests Benji Marshall has just about made up his mind, with Jeral Skelton potentially the back to miss out.
• Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi are firming to be the Tigers' halves combination this year.
• Bunty Afoa, on a development contract, is starting this one. Will be an intriguing watch with a potential eye to a bench spot in Round 1.
• The Tigers get their first look at Kai Pearce-Paul. Samuela Finau on the other side of the park means the second-row is at full strength. Alex Twal at lock.

Penrith Panthers

• Casey McLean the only likely starter not featuring in the Penrith back seven this weekend. Thomas Jenkins (wing) and Paul Alamoti (centre) in a likely shootout for a single spot which will wind up being on the wing.
• Liam Martin and Scott Sorensen the only forwards missing from what would be Penrith's expected run on side. Kalani Going, an experienced forward who joins from the Warriors without a whole lot of first-grade time, has obviously had an impressive pre-season and gets a chance here against a strong Tigers outfit.
• While Penrith's bench looks like it will pick itself, Going and Luron Patea could be the two who push for minutes with a performance here.

Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders

Cronulla Sharks

• The injury story that surfaced around Sione Katoa last week has proven incorrect, and he will begin his battle for a contract - and the right to partner Ronaldo Mulitalo once he returns from his ACL injury later in the season - this weekend.
• The Sharks are otherewise fairly close to full strength, although Teig Wilton is not playing - Zero Tackle understands he will be back for Round 1. Jesse Colquhoun plays at lock with Cameron McInnes out.
• The battle for bench spots will be the big watch at Cronulla, with Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf, Oregon Kaufusi, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Hohepa Puru, Tuku Hau Tapuha are all playing.

Canberra Raiders

• Hard to get a read on the Raiders who, in typical Ricky Stuart fashion, won't roll out most of their side until Round 1.
• Daine Laurie gets an opportunity to push for a bench role from fullback, while Sebastian Kris surprisingly plays for the second week in a row.
• Jayden Brailey gets his opportunity to start at dummy half.

Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels

Sydney Roosters

• The Roosters are rolling out plenty of big guns. No Daniel Tupou and Robert Toia who will both slot in for Round 1.
• Daly Cherry-Evans plays at six, and Sam Walker at 7. That could be how they line up in Round 1.
• Blake Steep starting is a tick of approval to his potential for a big role this year as he continues to build into his career.

Parramatta Eels

• The Eels look to be at full strength. Bailey Simonsson and Sean Russell are named, with Brian Kelly seemingly the player to miss out.
• The Eels and their fans will get a first look at Jonah Pezet and Mitchell Moses playing in the same side.
• Jack de Belin starts at lock, with Dylan Walker playing from the pine.

Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans

Melbourne Storm

• Sua Fa'alogo gets his first crack at fullback. Moses Leo has another chance, this time on the wing with Xavier Coates not playing.
• Jack Howarth is also missing. Marion Seve starts at centre, but there has been some talk that either Seve or Leo could play in the centres, with Howarth shuffling to the second row. Joe Chan and Ativalu Lisati square off there this week for the right to partner Shawn Blore (who isn't playing) in Round 1.
• Tyran Wishart will run out at halfback with Jahrome Hughes missing.
• Alex MacDonald at lock, Trent Loiero on the bench. Big watch on MacDonald this season.

Gold Coast Titans

• The Titans look as if they are preparing to have Sialetili Faeamani debut in Round 1, while Max Feagai is in the lead for the vacant centre spot.
• AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell will line up as the 2026 halves combination.
• Josh Patston may have won the race for the vacant second-row spot, but will have to have a strong game.
• It appears as if Josh Hannay will use Chris Randall at lock.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles

South Sydney Rabbitohs

• The Rabbitohs are close to full strength, with the exception of Jamie Humphreys at halfback who is coming off the bench. Ashton Ward starts at seven.
• Campbell Graham, as expected, will line up on the wing.
• Tevita Tatola starts at prop and has a chance to win back his prop spot.
• Brandon Smith has the first crack at dummy half, with Peter Mamouzelos and Bronson Garlick fighting for minutes from the bench.

Manly Sea Eagles

• Lehi Hopoate will be a winger in 2026. Tom Trbojevic isn't playing, but Clayton Faulalo will run out at the back, with Hopoate on the wing.
• Luke Brooks and Jamal Fogarty play their first game together.
• No Haumole Olakau'atu or Ben Trbojevic, so a big chance in the second-row for Hugo Hart and Corey Waddell to push for minutes.