NRL Late Mail: Round 1: Cobbo to make Phins debut; Souths turn to Ward
We head into the second half of a record-breaking Round 1 of the 2026 season with a host of stars back on deck for their clubs this weekend.
Dolphins forward leader Tom Flegler is on track for his first NRL game since Round 5, 2024 after overcoming a long-term shoulder injury that nearly ended his career but hooker Kurt Donoghoe is a late out with a hamstring injury.
See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Round 1 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.
NRL Late Mail Round 1
Dolphins v Rabbitohs, Sunday 4.05pm (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins: No late changes on game day after Kurt Donoghoe (hamstring) dropped out of the side on Saturday and was replaced at hooker by Brad Schneider. Former Maroons prop Tom Flegler plays his first NRL game since Round 5, 2024 after overcoming a long-term shoulder injury that nearly ended his career. Tom Gilbert is also back on deck after rupturing his pectoral in Round 11 last year. Prop Daniel Saifiti's bid to return from a shoulder injury has fallen short, opening the door for Brent Woolf to potentially make his NRL debut in jumper No.19.
Rabbitohs: The Rabbitohs line up 1-19 with no late changes. Bronson Garlick is set to start at hooker after passing through the HIA protocols following a head knock in South Sydney's final pre-season game. Garlick replaces Brandon Smith, who succumbed to a calf injury suffered at training. Ashton Ward is set to start at halfback and Jayden Sullivan is part of the six-man bench after battling a broken leg and infection in the off-season. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape was the last man to drop out of the squad 90 minutes before kick-off.
