NRL 2026 - Round 1 Preview

Round 1 always brings optimism, uncertainty and plenty of betting angles as teams launch their new campaigns

Early-season trends, venue records and head-to-head history can offer valuable clues, especially when certain players or matchups consistently produce results. Below are some key stats and patterns from recent meetings that help shape the outlook for this week’s games, along with a few betting angles worth considering.

STORM v EELS – Thursday – AAMI Park, Melbourne

• Melbourne have won 23 Round 1 games

• Storm have won their last five games against Parramatta

• Harry Grant has scored six tries in his last seven games against the Eels

TIP: Storm win / Harry Grant anytime try scorer

ROOSTERS v WARRIORS – Friday – Go Media Stadium, Auckland

• Roosters have won 8 of their last 9 games against the Warriors

• Sam Walker has scored three tries in his last four games against the Warriors

TIP: Roosters win / Sam Walker anytime try scorer

BRONCOS v PANTHERS – Friday – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

• Broncos won the last meeting at Suncorp Stadium 12–10

• Brisbane also won the only clash between the teams in 2025, 16–14

• Penrith had won the four meetings prior

• The last three games between the clubs have produced fewer than 40 total points

TIP: Panthers win / Under 44.5 total points

SHARKS v TITANS – Saturday – Sharks Stadium, Cronulla

• Cronulla have won 11 of the last 12 games v the Titans

• At Sharks Stadium the record sits at 9 wins from 13 games

• Nicho Hynes has scored three tries in the last five meetings

Recent scoring trends

• Sharks have scored 168 points in the last five meetings (33.6 per game)

• Titans have scored 58 points in the same games (11.6 per game)

TIP: Sharks win / Nicho Hynes anytime try scorer / Sharks over 29.5 points

MANLY v RAIDERS – Saturday – 4 Pines Park, Sydney

• Manly hold a 22–14 home record against Canberra (61% win rate)

• Canberra have won 8 of their last 10 away games

• The last five meetings are split 3–2 in Manly’s favour

• Four of those games produced more than 40 total points

Recent big performances

• Reuben Garrick scored four tries in one game

• Tom Trbojevic recorded a hat-trick and another double

• Ethan Strange scored a hat-trick for Canberra

TIP: Tom Trbojevic anytime try scorer / Over 40.5 total points

DOLPHINS v RABBITOHS – Sunday – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

• South Sydney have lost their last five games at Suncorp Stadium against all opponents

• The last four meetings between these sides are split 2–2

• Three of the four games produced more than 44 total points

Recent big individual performances

• Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored four tries in one game

• Dane Gagai scored a hat-trick

• Jamie Isaako scored four tries across the two games in 2025

TIP: Dolphins win / Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow anytime try scorer / Over 40.5 total points