NRL 2026, Dolphins, South Sydney Rabbitohs, round 1 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 8 Mar 2026, 02:42 PM

All eyes are on Alex Johnston as he resumes his pursuit of Ken Irvine's try-scoring record in South Sydney's Round 1 clash with the Dolphins.

The winger needs two tries to tie the game's all-time leader and a hat-trick to surpass Irvine as the greatest try scorer in rugby league history.

Johnston is set to start on a new-look South Sydney left edge as Wayne Bennett welcomes back a host of players after navigating a horror injury toll in the past two years.

Centre Latrell Mitchell will line up inside Johnston, while Cody Walker will pull the strings at five-eighth. New recruit David Fifita will also start on the left edge as he looks to regain the title of most punishing back-rower in the game.

Lock Cam Murray is back healthy after an Achilles rupture limited him to just 23 minutes in 2025 and shapes as a pivotal figure in the club's finals push.

The Dolphins also have their sights on a top-eight finish in 2026 after falling agonisingly short in the past two years.

Halfback Isaiya Katoa has another year of experience under his belt and will look to unlock an explosive backline featuring Selwyn Cobbo, Herbie Farnworth and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Up front, Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert are back after lengthy injury layoffs and will look to lay the foundation for their outside men.

Sunday's clash also features an intriguing battle in the coach's box as Bennett faces off against former apprentice Kristian Woolf.

Team News

Dolphins: The men from Redcliffe boast an electric backline spearheaded by Isaiya Katoa at halfback, Herbie Farnworth in the centres, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback and new recruit Selwyn Cobbo on the wing. Tom Gilbert captains the side in his first NRL appearance since rupturing his pectoral muscle in Round 11 last year and Tom Flegler makes a triumphant return after almost two years in the sideline with a serious shoulder injury that threatened his career. Morgan Knowles and Brad Schneider also line up for their game in Dolphins colours and livewire Trai Fuller has been named on the interchange. Prop Daniel Saifiti remains sidelined with a shoulder injury. Kurt Donoghoe (hamstring) dropped out of the side on Saturday and was replaced at hooker by Brad Schneider. The other player to come out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off was Brian Pouniu.

Rabbitohs: Wayne Bennett has named a strong squad that includes new faces David Fifita and Bronson Garlick along with favourite sons Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Alex Johnston and captain Cameron Murray. With Jamie Humphreys suspended, the No.7 jersey goes to Ashton Ward in just his seventh NRL game with Peter Mamouzelos grabbing the No.14 role. Key forward Jai Arrow remains sidelined indefinitely as he recovers from a nerve injury in his shoulder and Brandon Smith is nursing a calf injury. The Bunnies' bench also features Tallis Duncan, Sean Keppie, Lachlan Hubner and former Warrior Moala Graham-Taufa. The two men to drop out of the squad on Saturday were Liam Le Blanc and Thomas Fletcher.

Stat Attack

The Dolphins have won four of their past six games at Suncorp Stadium.
The Rabbitohs won only three from 12 away from home in 2025.
The Dolphins were the number one attacking team in the NRL in 2025.
South Sydney winger Alex Johnston requires two tries to equal Ken Irvine’s premiership try-scoring record.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 16 tries in his last 10 games at Suncorp Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.