NRL Team Lists Round 1: The Full Rundown, Shock Selections, and What It Means for Your Fantasy Side

There’s nothing quite like the first Team List Tuesday of a new season, is there? After months of speculation, trial matches, and injury scares, the squads are finally locked in. We’ve pored over the official NRL team lists for Round 1, and let me tell you, there’s plenty to unpack—especially for us here in New Zealand watching the Warriors.

The New-Look Warriors: Promise Packed with Power

For the Kiwi punters, all eyes are on Go Media Stadium on Friday night. The Warriors have named a side that has genuine teeth. The return of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the wing after that hamstring scare is a massive tick, and having Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) slot straight back into five-eighth settles the spine.

The big intrigue, though, is in the engine room. Having James Fisher-Harris lead the pack in Warriors colours is the sort of statement this club has needed for a decade. He’s packing down with Erin Clark at lock and youngsters like Leka Halasima and Demitric Vaimauga on the bench. This isn't just a team list; it's a declaration of intent. The only sour note is the absence of Mitch Barnett (knee) and Marata Niukore (calf), but the depth on show suggests Andrew Webster has options.

The First NRL Team Lists of 2026: Bellamy’s Masterclass in Reinvention

If you think you know the Melbourne Storm’s spine, think again. The first NRL team lists of 2026 coming out of Melbourne have Craig Bellamy’s fingerprints all over them. With Ryan Papenhuyzen gone and Xavier Coates (achilles) on the sidelines, Bellamy has thrown the keys to Sualauvi Fa'alogo at fullback. This kid is an excitement machine, and fantasy coaches have been scrambling to get him in their squads.

The big call is shifting Nick Meaney to the wing to accommodate Moses Leo in the centres. It’s a bold move, but it keeps their most experienced outside back in the line-up. In the forwards, losing Eli Katoa for the season hurts, but Joe Chan and Ativalu Lisati getting starting gigs tells you everything about the production line still humming down in Victoria.

Fantasy Fallout: The Winners and Losers of Round 1 Selections

If you’re deep in your NRL Fantasy drafts, the Round 1 line-ups have thrown up some serious curveballs. Here’s the cheat sheet you actually need:

• Cash Cow Alert: Keep a very close eye on Cooper Clarke at the Storm. At basement price, he’s named on the interchange and could be a golden ticket if he gets significant minutes.
• Hooker Roulette: At the Roosters, Benaiah Ioelu ($327k) gets the starting nod at hooker with Reece Robson out. But don't blink—Connor Watson looms large on the bench and could easily eat into his minutes.
• Backrow Shuffle: Penrith have thrown a spanner in the works. With Liam Martin out, we expected Isaiah Papali'i to start. Instead, he's on the bench, with Luke Garner and Scott Sorensen getting the edge spots. If you own Papali'i in fantasy, you’re sweating on his minutes.
• Value Play: Jacob Laban ($335k) starting on the edge for the Warriors is a gift for fantasy coaches looking for a solid contributor at a discount price.

Returning Stars and the Big Calls Down South

The narrative of returning stars headlined NRL team lists this week, but nowhere is that more evident than at the Dolphins. Thomas Flegler is finally back after nearly two full seasons on the sidelines. He’s named in the starting side, and his inclusion transforms their forward pack from competitive to intimidating.

Over at the Broncos, the defending premiers have named a stacked side, but the debate rages on about whether Ben Hunt should start at hooker or come off the bench. Michael Maguire has named Cory Paix in the No.9, with Hunt as the utility. It’s a luxury problem to have, but it shows Madge is willing to make the tough calls early.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for the Business of Rugby League

Stepping back from the tactics, these team lists drop at a fascinating time for the NRL’s bottom line. With Peter V’landys confirming the league’s aggressive push for global expansion—targeting London, Hong Kong, and the UAE—the product we see on the park in Round 1 is essentially the flagship asset being pitched to international markets.

The fact that the NRL can roll out a Round 1 with this much talent, despite the loss of big names to injury or departure, proves the depth of the competition. For potential investors and broadcast partners in new territories, seeing clubs like the Warriors and Roosters fielding teams packed with household names—even in March—is critical. It shows the game is healthy, deep, and ready for prime time, whether that’s in Auckland or Abu Dhabi.

We’ll be watching the 5:30pm kick-offs closely to see if the NRL Team Lists - Round 1 Reactions we had last year taught us anything: it’s a long season, and the teams that nail their selections now are the ones holding up the trophy in October.