The wheeling and dealing has been done, the first half of pre-season training is over, and the serious stuff for 2026 is just around the corner.
Players have begun settling at their new clubs after moving during the off-season, but some are under a lot more pressure than the rest.
From big-money recruits, to those thrust into key roles, and others who will essentially be playing for their careers, there are plenty of players who will be in focus throughout the course of the upcoming campaign at new clubs.
Here are our most under-pressure players for 2026.
2. David Fifita (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
David Fifita heads to the Rabbitohs with more personal pressure than club pressure.
The second-rower, who will link up with Wayne Bennett, could well become the value buy of the season, given South Sydney has only paid about half of his wage to make the move, according to reports, but he could also become a disaster. The Titans were only too happy to move on.
If Fifita gets it right, he is an Origin and international-level player who is a wrecking ball.
If he gets it wrong, he could be looking for a contract overseas by the time his stint at the Rabbitohs ends.
There may not be much in between either, and there is really no doubting how important the coming 12 months are for the Queenslander.
I’d argue Brown isn’t the most under pressure. Sure he signed that massive deal but he’s going to the team that finished last. The injuries Newcastle had to key players and real lack of offensive threat is why they were last. They won’t be last again so he’ll be seen as a success in the short term. I’d argue Thompson and DCE are under more pressure, maybe DCE at number 1. The roosters have signed him and risked the likes of Savala and already lost Smith. Thompson as well was signed on potential for huge money and is going to a top 4 side who’s pack has often been criticised. He has to step up and be the main star in the pack which he has struggled to do on a consistent basis. He’s aggressive but lacks the go forward of other elite middles. Thompson is expected to help turn the dogs into a grand final side and DCE is expected to also turn the roosters into a top 4 side and premiership side again where as Brown is expected to lift the knights off the bottom of the table and judging by comments online people are tipping them to be last again even with the very strong recruitment they’ve done.