Rapid fire Tuesday, Round 4: Shock early return for Warriors, De Belin still on outer

There have been a number of key selection calls for Round 4.

EDITOR | March 24, 2026 - 5:35pm

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All 16 teams have been named for Round 4, and there is a major surprise out of the New Zealand Warriors with a shock early return.

Elsewhere, a number of clubs are attempting to limit changes, while the Broncos and Tigers have key changes in the halves.

Here are all the talking points for Round 4 after teams were confirmed.

Nathan Brown is out with illness for Anthony Seibold, who has gone as close to unchanged as he could have.
Simione Laiafi is the new man on the six-player bench, while Joey Walsh remains 20th man.

Billy Smith is back from concussion and comes straight in for Junior Pauga, who didn't have a great game against the Panthers.
Toby Rodwell also drops out, with Hugo Savala joining the six-man bench.
Benaiah Ioleu is the 20th man.

The Warriors have produced a shock, with Luke Metcalf to return very early from his ACL injury that was supposed to keep him out until Round 6 or 7.
He returns at five-eighth though. Andrew Webster had no choice given Tanah Boyd's form. Luke Hanson drops out.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Adam Pompey are both back as well for the Warriors. Taine Tuaupiki drps to the reserve list, and Leka Halasima goes back to the second-row. Morgan Gannon drops out of the side with concussion.
Chanel Harris-Tavita returns to the six-man bench, with Alofiana Khan-Pereira dropping to the reserves.

Jock Madden comes into the side at five-eighth for the injured Jarome Luai.
Latu Fainu is close to a return and sits in the reserves, with Bunty Afoa and Faaletino Tavana joining the six-man bench.
That sees Patrick Herbert drop out of the 19.

Adam Reynolds returns at halfback from a rib injury, with Ben Hunt moving to the bench.
Xavier Willison is shuffled from the second-row to prop, with Brendan Piakura promoted to the second-row from the bench.
No other changes for the Broncos. It is effectively Reynolds in for Haas.

Tom Flegler is chasing a return for the Dolphins and has been named on the bench.
Francis Molo also returns on the bench from suspension.
Sebastian Su'a drops out of the side, and Brian Pouniu drops to the reserves.

Sitili Tupouniua shuffles to prop for Sam Hughes who is out with a suspension picked up in the NSW Cup.
Jake Turpin and Harry Hayes are both out, so Lipoi Hopoi, Jonathan Sua and Fletcher Baker all join the six-man bench.
Bronson Xerri has been listed in jersey number 23.

Jack Cogger joins the bench as he returns from concussion, taking the spot of Jack Cole in a straight swap.
No other changes for the Panthers.

J'maine Hopgood is out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Luca Moretti takes his spot on the bench.
Will Penisini isn't ready to return yet, so Brian Kelly takes over from Jordan Samrani in the centres.
Jack de Belin is well and truly on the outer. Hopgood's injury doesn't bring him back, and he has been listed as 20th man.

Trent Loiero returns for a desperately short Melbourne back-row. He slots straight in at lock, with Tui Kamikamica sliding back to the pine.
No other changes for Craig Bellamy's outfit who have started the season extremely well.

Teig Wilton is promoted by Craig Fitzgibbon who is starting to look for answers, with Briton Nikora out.
Braden Uele is the new man for the Sharks on the bench.
Hohepa Puru and Tuku Hau Tapuha are number 18 and 19, but otherwise the coach is remaining patient despite being smacked by the Dolphins last week.

Toby Couchman is out with concussion, and Ryan Couchman is out as he awaits a judiciary verdict on Tuesday evening after being referred for a hip drop.
Blake Lawrie will start at prop after having a big off-season, while Hamish Stewart starts at lock.
Mathew Feagai and Lyhkan King-Togia have also been axed from the extended bench, with Hame Sele and youngsters Jacob Halangahu, Loko Pasifiki Tonga and Hayden Buchanan all selected.