The 2026 NRL season has already thrown the script out the window, and NRL Round 5 2026 sees the Newcastle Knights host the Canberra Raiders in a clash that highlights just how quickly fortunes can change. The fourth‑placed Knights host the struggling Raiders in Round 5, with confidence surging in Newcastle and pressure quietly building on Canberra.
Matchday Details
Sunday, 5 April 2026 – 4:05pm AEST – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
📺 Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Adam Gee | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Knights
1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mat Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant
Raiders
1.Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies
Match Preview
The script has been well and truly rewritten to start the 2026 season, with the fourth‑placed Newcastle Knights hosting the 15th‑placed Canberra Raiders in NRL Round 5.
Newcastle look a completely different side to the one that lacked attacking imagination and defensive steel in 2025. By contrast, a brutal early‑season schedule against the Sharks, Bulldogs and Warriors has taken its toll on Canberra. While the Raiders will not hit the panic button just yet, it has been a less‑than‑ideal start. Despite this, Canberra enter Sunday’s clash as slight favourites with the bookmakers – a reflection more of last year’s reputation than current form.
In team news, the Knights welcome back former Raiders front‑rower Trey Mooney, who returns from suspension. Fellow ex‑Canberra forward Pasami Saulo shifts to the interchange bench as part of the rotation. There is reunion flavour across both squads, with Raiders starters Simi Sasagi and Joseph Tapine also having previously worn Knights colours. Aside from the front‑row switch, Justin Holbrook has named the same side that ambushed the Bulldogs last week.
For Canberra, Josh Papalii returns from suspension, providing a much‑needed boost as Ricky Stuart’s men attempt to halt a three‑game losing streak. Morgan Smithies moves back to the bench and is expected to resume his role across the second row and lock.
Both sides are comfortable grinding their way to victory, though for different reasons. Newcastle relied heavily on defence in 2025 due to a lack of points, but that dynamic has shifted early in 2026 with Fletcher Sharpe and Fletcher Hunt igniting a new attacking threat.
Discipline remains the key focus for the Raiders. Last week’s vow to improve lasted only minutes before Corey Horsburgh was sin‑binned for a professional foul, once again leaving Canberra on the back foot territorially and on the scoreboard. The message is simple: cut out the penalties and six‑again infringements, and winning football will follow.
The headline matchup lies in the halves. Ethan Strange has seen his role evolve this season following Jamal Fogarty’s departure, spending more time on Canberra’s right edge — a shift that has coincided with a dip in attacking fluency. Meanwhile, Fletcher Sharpe has transformed Newcastle from wooden‑spoon contenders into a genuine threat. After his injury scare in Las Vegas, the Knights feared a long season, but his swift return has reignited their campaign.
The fullback duel between Kaeo Weekes and Fletcher Hunt also looms large, with both among the most important attacking weapons for their respective sides.
All signs point to a tight contest on Sunday afternoon. Will Newcastle record their best start to a season in over a decade, or will Canberra make it five wins from their past six meetings against the Knights? Time will tell.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Raiders by 4
Bold calls: Canberra clean up their discipline; Fletcher Sharpe scores the opening try; Kaeo Weekes scores for a fourth straight game against Newcastle.
Related
- NRL Round 5 2026 Predictions & Tips
- NRL Round 5 Team Lists – 2026 Season
- NRL 2026 Results Tracker
- 2026 NRL Match Review Results Tracker: Charges, Suspensions & Fines
- NRL Injury List 2026
