NRL 2026, Round 5, Late Mail. team updates, injuries, ins and outs, team lists, Fantasy

NRL Late Mail Round 5: Haas set to return; Nikora on track

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 4 Apr 2026, 02:09 PM

Star Broncos prop Payne Haas is pushing to return from a shoulder injury to face the Titans on Saturday night.

See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Round 5 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.

NRL Late Mail Round 5

Dragons v Cowboys, Saturday 5.30pm (AEDT) at Jubilee Stadium

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 4 Apr

6:30 am

Dragons

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Christian Tuipulotu

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
Winger for Dragons is number 5 David Fale

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-Togia

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Daniel Atkinson

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Toby Couchman

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Sam McIntyre
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Hamish Stewart

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jacob Halangahu

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas Mikaele
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Hame Sele

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Matthew Lodge
Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Josh Kerr

Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Zac Laybutt
Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Tyrell Sloan

Interchange for Cowboys is number 20 Kai O'Donnell

Reserves

Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Kade Reed

David Fale
Kade Reed
Moses Suli
Toby Couchman

Tom Chester

Hayden Buchanan
Kyle Flanagan
Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

Liam Sutton

Match Officials

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 4/4/2026 4:56:24 AM

Dragons: Former Panther David Fale comes on to the wing and is set for his Dragons debut after scoring four tries in four games in NSW Cup. Lyhkan King-Togia will step into the No.6 jersey as Kyle Flanagan recovers from a concussion suffered in last week's loss to the Titans. Moses Suli is on track to return in the centres, while Toby Couchman is also back on deck after missing the Round 4 defeat due to concussion. No changes to the 19 in Friday's 24-hour update, with Kade Reed the man to remain in the extended squad.

Cowboys: Centre Tom Chester is set to come straight back onto the starting side in his return from suspension, with Zac Laybutt moving to the interchange as a result. North Queensland are a settled side as they chase a seventh-straight win over the Dragons. The Cowboys also remain 1-19 after the squad was trimmed to 20, Kai O'Donnell remains in the reserves.

Titans v Broncos, Saturday 7.35pm (AEDT) at Cbus Super Stadium

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 4 Apr

8:35 am

Titans

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
Winger for Titans is number 2 Sialetili Faeamani

Winger for Broncos is number 2 Deine Mariner
Centre for Titans is number 3 Jojo Fifita

Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
Centre for Titans is number 4 AJ Brimson

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Lachlan Ilias

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Jayden Campbell

Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Klese Haas

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix
Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Arama Hau

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor

2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
Lock for Titans is number 13 Chris Randall

Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 14 Kurtis Morrin

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Ben Hunt
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Cooper Bai

Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Xavier Willison
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Moeaki Fotuaika

Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ben Talty
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Oliver Pascoe

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Aublix Tawha
Interchange for Titans is number 18 Max Feagai

Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Jaiyden Hunt
Interchange for Titans is number 19 Jett Liu

Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Antonio Verhoeven

Reserves

Reserve for Titans is number 20 Jaylan De Groot

Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Blake Mozer

Jaylan De Groot

Antonio Verhoeven
Blake Mozer
Jesse Arthars
Payne Haas

Grant Anderson
Josiah Karapani
Va'a Semu

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 4/3/2026 8:32:26 AM

Titans: Halfback Jayden Campbell's partner Teagan was due to give birth on Tuesday but the couple are still waiting for the arrival so the No.7 could be a late withdrawal. “It was a pretty stressful time going up to Townsville [in Round 3]. Being close to the due date and flying up to Townsville for a few nights was pretty stressful," Campbell said. Prop Moeaki Fotuaika is set to come off the bench for the second straight week as an impact player, with Josh Hannay sticking with the same 19 that got the job done against St George Illawarra. Centre Jojo Fifita has scored five tries in three games against the Broncos. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update, with Jaylan De Groot remaining in the reserves.

Broncos: Star prop Payne Haas is on track to make his return from a shoulder injury that forced him to sit out last week's victory over the Dolphins. Teenaged-outside back Antonio Verhoeven is in the mix for an NRL debut after being named on the six-man bench as Michael Maguire is forced into a backline reshuffle. An injury to Grant Anderson has seen winger Jesse Arthars called up for his first game of the year, with Gehamat Shibasaki also handed a recall to the starting side in the centres. No changes either for the Broncos, Blake Mozer remains in the extended squad.

Sharks v Warriors, Sunday 2.00pm (AEST) at Ocean Protect Stadium

Round 5 - Round 5 - Sunday 5 Apr

4:00 am

Sharks

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Marata Niukore
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Mawene Hiroti

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Hohepa Puru

Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Interchange for Sharks is number 22 Briton Nikora

Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Reserves

Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Michael Gabrael

Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Ali Leiataua

Briton Nikora
Mawene Hiroti
Michael Gabrael

Ali Leiataua
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Braden Uele
Chris Vea'ila

Mitchell Barnett

Match Officials

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 4/4/2026 2:58:24 AM

Sharks: Briton Nikora is on track to come into the side after recovering from a broken nose. The edge forward was named in the reserves but has been elevated into the 19 after getting through the captain's run. Mawene Hiroti is also in the mix to return to the side after making a successful comeback from a knee injury in reserve grade last week. Hiroti remained on the bench after the squad was trimmed to 20 on Saturday.

Warriors: English secondrower Morgan Gannon and winger Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira have been omitted for Sunday’s clash against Cronulla at Ocean Protect Stadium. Centre Ali Leiataua, listed in jersey #23, remains among the reserves. The only change to the 19 from last week is the inclusion of Demitric Vaimauga after Mitch Barnett was struck down with a broken thumb.

Knights v Raiders, Sunday 4.05pm (AEST) at McDonald Jones Stadium

Round 5 - Round 5 - Sunday 5 Apr

6:05 am

Knights

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Hunt

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi Sasagi
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey Mooney

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Noah Martin
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Jayden Brailey
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson Frizell

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Zac Hosking
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo

Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Morgan Smithies
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Tyson Gamble

Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Chevy Stewart
Interchange for Knights is number 19 Wilson De Courcey

Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Matthew Timoko

Reserves

Reserve for Knights is number 20 Cody Hopwood

Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Owen Pattie
Reserve for Knights is number 21 Francis Manuleleua

Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Jed Stuart
Reserve for Knights is number 22 James Schiller

Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Daine Laurie

Francis Manuleleua
James Schiller
Trey Mooney

Chevy Stewart
Josh Papalii
Matthew Timoko
Owen Pattie

Joe Roddy

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 4/1/2026 11:50:33 AM

Knights: Phoenix Crossland is set to take his place at hooker despite suffering a gruesome nose injury in last week's win over Canterbury. Trey Mooney is straight back into the starting side in his return from suspension, with Pasami Saulo shifting to the interchange.

Raiders: Ricky Stuart is set to shake up his six-man interchange, with Matt Timoko and Chevy Stewart coming on to the bench in place of Daine Laurie and Jed Stuart. Josh Papalii is also straight back into the starting side in his return from suspension.

Eels v Wests Tigers, Monday 4.05pm (AEST) at CommBank Stadium

Round 5 - Round 5 - Monday 6 Apr

6:05 am

Eels

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Joash Papalii

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey Simonsson

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Faaletino Tavana
Centre for Eels is number 3 Brian Kelly

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Sunia Turuva
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Heamasi Makasini
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Luke Laulilii
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jonah Pezet

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jock Madden
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam Doueihi

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Jack Williams

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
Lock for Eels is number 13 Dylan Walker

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Sam Tuivaiti

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Charlie Guymer

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce Hunt
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Luca Moretti

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Jack De Belin

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Bunty Afoa
Interchange for Eels is number 19 Apa Twidle

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Jeral Skelton

Reserves

Reserve for Eels is number 20 Ronald Volkman

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Tristan Hope
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Teancum Brown

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Tony Sukkar
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Araz Nanva

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Patrick Herbert

Apa Twidle
Araz Nanva
Jack De Belin
Ronald Volkman
Teancum Brown

Bunty Afoa
Patrick Herbert
Tony Sukkar

Isaiah Iongi
Matt Doorey

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 4/1/2026 11:52:25 AM

Eels: Coach Jason Ryles has been forced to navigate another week of injuries, with young gun Joash Papalii stepping into fullback in place of Isaiah Iongi (ankle). Charlie Guymer comes on to the bench after Matt Doorey went down with an ACL injury, with Jack de Belin and fullback Apa Twidle also added to the six-man interchange.

Wests Tigers: Just one change expected for Benji Marshall's men following a dominant victory over the Warriors. Young gun Faaletino Tavana retains his place on the wing, with Sunia Turuva to line up in the centres for the third-straight week. Bunty Afoa is the only new face on the six-man bench, with Tristan Hope reverting to the reserves.