The teams are in for Round 27, and resting is the word of the week, with plenty of players handed the week off around the competition ahead of the start of the finals.
Here are all the changes for Round 27 in this week's edition of Rapid Fire.
Bye: Newcastle Knights
Canterbury Bulldogs
- One change for the Bulldogs with Jack Underhill taking Cooper Toy's spot on the bench. Kurt Mann is a chance of playing in jersey 23.
Brisbane Broncos
- Just the one change for the Broncos with Ben Talty replacing Blake Mozer on the interchange bench.
2026-09-04T08:00:00Z
Gold Coast Titans
- Moeaki Fotuaika comes into the starting side at prop for Klese Haas in a straight swap.
- Oliver Pascoe is out with a shoulder problem, so Luke Sommerton starts at dummy half.
- Beau Fermor returns, with Josh Patston moved back to the interchange bench, while Chris Randall starts at lock istead of Cooper Bai who is on the bench.
- Arama Hau and Max Feagai lose their spots on the bench.
The Dolphins
- Selwyn Cobbo is the only Dolphin having a rest, with Tevita Naufahu named on the wing.
- The Dolphins are otherwise as named last week.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
- Jye Gray returns at fullback, with Matthew Dufty dropped back to the bench.
- Latrell Mitchell will start, with Tallis Duncan sent for a rest, while Jai Arrow is named at five-eighth this week, although Cody Walker will come straight into the game.
- Adam Elliott is named to start in the second-row with Euan Aitken back to the bench.
- No other changes for South Sydney who need a win to secure a home elimination final.
Sydney Roosters
- James Tedesco is off for a rest with Cody Ramsey to start at fullback, while Daniel Tupou is back for the Roosters.
- Billy Smith, Hugo Savala, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson, Siua Wong and Nat Butcher have all been rested, while Sam Walker is out injured.
- Junior Pauga and Tommy Talau are the new centres, Rex Bassingthwaighte lines up on the wing, Reece Foley joins Toby Rodwell in the halves, Spencer Leniu is at prop, Benaiah Ioelu is at hooker, Egan Butcher starts in the second-row, and Connor Watson is at lock.
- The new bench is Tom Rodwell, Taylor Losalu, De La Salle Va'a, Aston Warwick, Jake Elliott, and Hayden Barton.
New Zealand Warriors
- Andrew Webster has given the clearest indication yet that Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will be his fullback in the finals, dropping Taine Tuaupiki to the bench as the former returns from a suspension.
- Luke Laulilii is concussed and replaced by Adam Pompey on the wing.
- Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin are both back in the halves with Luke Hanson and Jett Cleary losing their spots.
- Wayde Egan is given a rest with Samuel Healey to start at hooker, while Kurt Capewell is given the same treatement for Eddie Ieremia-Toeava to start.
- Morgan Gannon and Kayliss Fatialofa are called onto the bench for the Warriors.
Manly Sea Eagles
- It's a totally unchanged 19 for Manly.
North Queensland Cowboys
- The Cowboys are locked in to the eight but a string of results could still get them a home qualifying final, so they are limiting their resting.
- Zac Laybutt is lout with a concussion and replaced by Robert Derby on the wing, while John Bateman and Coen Hess come into the starting forward pack for Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame.
- Sam McIntyre and Kaiden Lahrs are the new names on the bench.
Canberra Raiders
- A couple of changes here for the Raiders, with Ethan Strange axed to the reserves for Coby Black, and Zac Hosking missing to a hamstring injury with Noah Martin returning to the starting side.
- Malachi Smith is a chance of debuting off the bench, while Morgan Smithies is back, with Corey Horsburgh finished as a Raiders player and Savelio Tamale also dropping out.
2026-09-05T09:30:00Z
Cronulla Sharks
- Mawene Hiroti is out injured and KL Iro has been rested on the reserves list, so Riley Jones and Michael Gabrael are the new centres.
- Niwhai Puru moves to halfback, with Riley Pollard coming in at five-eighth and Nicho Hynes rested.
- Blayke Brailey is having a rest, so Hohepa Puru is back to start at hooker.
- Teig Wilton is also rested, with Billy Burns into the second-row.
- Toby Rudolf, Braden Uele, Jayden Berrell and Tuku Hau Tapuha all come onto the bench with Tom Hazelton out suspended.
Melbourne Storm
- One change for the Storm as Hugo Peel replaces Marion Seve on the bench.
St George Illawarra Dragons
- A bit of a shuffle for the Dragons. Loko Pasifiki Tonga moves to lock, Blake Lawrie starts at prop, and Ryan Couchman moves back to the bench.
- No other changes for the Red V, with Kade Reed again a reserve.
Parramatta Eels
- Sean Russell is back to the bench with Jordan Samrani starting in the centres.
- Jack de Belin and Tyrese Lokeni come onto the bench, with Ryda Talagi, Kelma Tuilagi and Jonah Pezet dropping out.
Penrith Panthers
- The expectation that Penrith might have gone for a rest to many of their players hasn't landed, with Izack Tago the only player out. Luke Garner moves into the centres as a result.
- Mitch Kenny is back at hooker, with Freddy Lussick dropping back to the bench.
- Luron Patea joins the bench with Kalani Going dropping out, while Isaah Yeo is a chance of playing, being named in jersey 22.
Wests Tigers
- Sione Fainu is back into the starting side on the edge with Tony Sukkar out.
- Latu Fainu rejoins the bench alongside Vaka Aho and Sunia Turuva. Tristan Hope and Faaletino Tavana are the two to miss out.
