Matchday Details
Friday, 27 March 2026 – 8:00pm AEDT – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Ashley Klein | Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Brisbane Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Deine Mariner, 5. Grant Anderson, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Xavier Willison, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan, 14. Ben Hunt, 15. Ben Talty, 16. Aublix Tawha, 17. Gehamat Shibasaki, 18. Jaiyden Hunt, 19. Blake Mozer, 20. Jesse Arthars, 21. Thomas Duffy, 22. Va’a Semu
The Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Tom Gilbert, 9. Max Plath, 10. Felise Kaufusi, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Bradley Schneider, 15. Thomas Flegler, 16. Oryn Keeley, 17. Ray Stone, 18. Trai Fuller, 19. Sebastian Su’a, 20. Lewis Symonds, 21. Tevita Naufahu, 22. Brian Pouniu
Match Preview
A big Battle of Brisbane awaits on Friday, with the premiership-winning Broncos looking to continue their superiority over the newcomers, and the Dolphins looking to get a rare win over their bigger local rival and continue on their way to a first finals appearance.
At half-time of last weekend’s clash in Melbourne, many would have thought the Broncos were a certainty to come into this Battle of Brisbane with an 0-3 record to start the season, especially given their woeful record at AAMI Park. But you couldn’t help but be impressed with the second half comeback, something they turned into an art form in 2025, but seriously lacking in 2026 so far in a loss to Penrith to nil and a collapse against Parramatta at their last home game. The Dolphins made a slow start to 2026 with a first round loss to Souths in Round 1 and they laboured to a win over the Gold Coast in Round 2. But they could hardly have been more impressive last weekend, sealing a big away win at Cronulla, a side with an outstanding home record.
Injuries don’t come much bigger in terms of player size and importance to a team than Payne Haas, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Thankfully, the Broncos have an even bigger unit in Xavier Willison to replace him, and he will be better suited to the middle role than the back row position from last round. Whilst not at Haas’ level just yet, he will provide a real headache for the Dolphins. Haas’ absence has seen Aublix Tawha’s chances of game time increase from the bench, which he will be trying to prove plenty to his former team. Adam Reynolds returns to balance the bad injury news, although it remains to be seen whether the Broncos are better or worse with him. There still could be changes on the night between Ezra Mam, Corey Paix, and Ben Hunt.
The Dolphins get rare double good squad news with Tom Flegler and Francis Molo returning from injury and suspension respectively. Both are named on the bench, but Felise Kaufusi looks a likely candidate to drop to a stacked bench for one of those returning players. Some good players will miss out on minutes for the Dolphins, although they probably wouldn’t dare to omit Ray Stone for multiple reasons.
The teams are so evenly matched that it is hard to see a large advantage for either team. The Broncos missing Haas does give the Dolphins the slight upper hand with the two Toms (Flegler and Gilbert) the work horses, and Felise Kaufusi and Francis Molo providing real impact in short bursts. Brendan Piakura moving back to starting second rower makes the Broncos an ever tougher prospect, but the Dolphins’ second rowers have had plenty of impact themselves: Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has been arguably their best player this season. Patrick Carrigan’s work rate and ball-playing skills does give some forward advantage back to the Broncos.
Hooker has been a worry for the Dolphins this season, with capable players filling in like Max Plath and Brad Schneider, but neither are naturally hookers, unlike the 1-2 punch of Brisbane’s Paix and Hunt.
One real point of interest will be the battle of the halfbacks, with a premiership-winning halfback in Reynolds going up against the potential next superstar halfback of the game in Isaiya Katoa. Among his many highlights this season so far, the pass for Jamayne Isaako against the Sharks last weekend was like watching one of the former greats doing their best. The game could see the passing of the torch of Brisbane’s best halfback if Katoa puts on a big display.
Talking of big, you can’t go past the two fullbacks for box office. Both can turn a game, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow not quite as spectacular all the time as the Reece Walsh that led the Broncos to late 2025 season glory, but he is arguably more reliable, and if he can sense broken play he will take full advantage.
There’s also the side story of Selwyn Cobbo playing his first game against his former team, and whether he will put on a big show at what will no doubt be a full Suncorp Stadium.
Stats are massively on the Broncos’ side, not only do they hold a 5-1 H2H advantage, but are 3/3 vs Dolphins as the home side and on a Friday. The stats advantage doesn’t end at Redcliffe, it extends to all over Queensland. The Broncos won all six games vs Queensland opposition last season, they have won nine in a row on a Friday vs Queensland teams, and that extends to 12 games for games on a Friday at Suncorp Stadium, with their last loss in 2017.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 2 points.
Bold call: A late Cobbo try and an Isaako sideline conversion for the win.
Related
- NRL Round 4 2026 Predictions & Tips
- NRL Round 4 Team Lists – 2026 Season
- NRL 2026 Results Tracker
- 2026 NRL Match Review Results Tracker: Charges, Suspensions & Fines
- NRL Injury List 2026
