SYDNEY, 24 February 2026 – The wait for the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership is over as “Teamlist Tuesday” officially marks the countdown to the historic season opener at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Coaches have finalised their squads for Round 1, navigating a mix of high-profile injuries and tactical shifts for the American showcase.
Round 1: Las Vegas Team News
The opening round features a double-header in the United States, with the Newcastle Knights taking on the North Queensland Cowboys, and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs facing the St George Illawarra Dragons. Official lists were confirmed at 4:00 pm AEDT today.
Key storylines emerging from the team sheets include:
- Tom Chester’s Return: The Cowboys utility has been named to start at centre, replacing the suspended Zac Laybutt. This marks Chester’s first NRL appearance in 609 days following a lengthy recovery from an ACL injury.
- Bulldogs Boost: Despite missing pre-season trials with a soft tissue concern, Jacob Kiraz has been named for the Bulldogs. Matt Burton also overcomes minor injury clouds to take his place in the halves.
- Dragons Prop Shift: Toby Couchman is expected to start at prop for the Dragons, providing significant size to their forward pack for the Vegas clash.
- Knights Bench: Reports suggest Trey Mooney may miss out on a bench spot for Newcastle as the club opts for a different utility rotation.
Standard Rugby League Positions
For fans tracking the 2026 rosters, the following table outlines the standard numbering system used for NRL team lists as per official competition rules.
| Jersey Number | Position | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fullback | Backs |
| 2 & 5 | Wing | Backs |
| 3 & 4 | Centre | Backs |
| 6 | Five-Eighth (Stand-off) | Halves |
| 7 | Scrum-Half (Halfback) | Halves |
| 8 & 10 | Prop | Forwards |
| 9 | Hooker | Forwards |
| 11 & 12 | Second-Row | Forwards |
| 13 | Lock | Forwards |
Injury and Suspension Watch
Several clubs are dealing with significant absences heading into the opening month of the season. Zac Laybutt (Cowboys) will miss the first two rounds due to suspension. Meanwhile, Marcelo Montoya has been named on the wing for his respective side but remains under a fitness cloud, with a final decision expected during the “Late Mail” updates 24 hours before kick-off.
In other club news, the Penrith Panthers have secured a major long-term piece of their roster, with Lindsay Smith officially re-signing with the club until the end of the 2029 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time are NRL team lists released?
Official team lists for each round are released at 4:00 pm AEDT every Tuesday during the regular season. This is commonly referred to by fans and media as “Teamlist Tuesday”.
How many players are named in a weekly squad?
Clubs typically name a 22-man squad on Tuesday. This is narrowed down to 19 players 24 hours before kick-off, with the final 17-man team (plus an 18th man concussion substitute) confirmed one hour before the game starts.
Where is the 2026 NRL season opening?
The 2026 season officially commences at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, USA, featuring a double-header to promote the sport to a North American audience.
Who replaces Zac Laybutt for the Cowboys in Round 1?
Tom Chester has been selected to fill the centre vacancy created by Laybutt’s two-match suspension.