Round 4 of the 2026 NRL season delivered shock results, coaching casualties and a clear early frontrunner. Penrith stayed perfect with another dominant display, North Queensland stunned Melbourne in Townsville, and the Wests Tigers continued their resurgence with a statement win in Auckland.

Review

Embed from Getty Images

Penrith are the only undefeated side after four rounds (8 points, +110), with the New Zealand Warriors (6 points, +66), the Wests Tigers (6 points, +42), and Newcastle (6 points, +12) making up the top four. South Sydney (6 points, +6), Canterbury-Bankstown (6 points, -3), Melbourne (4 points, +66), and The Dolphins (4 points, +8) rounded out the top eight.

Anthony Seibold was sacked after Manly Warringah’s loss to the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night, with the Sea Eagles sitting 0–3 after four rounds (three straight losses at 4 Pines Park). Kieran Foran was appointed interim coach on Saturday.

North Queensland upset Melbourne at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with the Cowboys coming back from 10 points down twice (20-10 and 24-14). Will Warbrick’s four tries set up Melbourne’s lead: his last try came from a wonderful Harry Grant dummy half pass, with enough flight to evade multiple Cowboys defenders, for Warbrick to score in the right corner. Melbourne have now squandered double-digit leads against Brisbane and North Queensland, slipping into the pack of 2–2 teams. GAME BREAKER: While North Queensland’s defence has often been criticised, they kept Melbourne scoreless in the final 15 minutes. The Cowboys scored three tries in this period, including Braidon Burns’ second try.

Newcastle had an important win over Canterbury-Bankstown at Accor Stadium, with a hat-trick to Dominic Young. The Knights led 16-0 at half-time and held off a Matt Burton-led comeback, with the Bulldogs five-eighth scoring two tries. While Newcastle’s attack is vastly improved from 2025 (already averaging 25 points per game), there are growing concerns around Canterbury’s attack, with only 45 points in three games, which puts more pressure on their ideal halves configuration: is it Burton and Lachlan Galvin? Will Stephen Crichton’s move to five-eighth (and Burton to centre) be permanent? GAME BREAKER: Young’s second and third tries gave Newcastle breathing space after Canterbury cut the margin to four points with 25 minutes left. Young’s final try was a 75-metre run off an intercept.

The Broncos won their sixth Battle of Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. After their 18-0 second half in Melbourne, this time Brisbane played from in front, leading 10-0 after 26 minutes. While Jake Averillo’s try gave the Dolphins a chance with 20 minutes left, tries to Gehamat Shibasaki and Kotoni Staggs (his second) sealed the game. The 14-point margin equalled the Broncos’ biggest Battle of Brisbane win (28-14 in 2024). GAME BREAKER: Once again, it was Reece Walsh with the clutch plays: a try early in the second half; a bomb for Shibasaki to push their lead to 22-12; and, with a minute left, a try-saving tackle on Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.

Cronulla-Sutherland stayed in touch with the top eight with a win at GIO Stadium. Cronulla’s early 12-0 lead (after Corey Horsburgh was sin binned) was enough as Canberra made too many unforced errors just when they were getting back in the contest. It was 22-22 with 23 minutes left after Xavier Savage scored (jumping, stepping, and running 20 metres to create a try out of nothing), but William Kennedy and Jesse Colquhoun put the game away for the Sharks. It’s the Raiders’ fourth straight home loss since last year’s qualifying final. GAME BREAKER: With nine minutes left, Colquhoun benefited from a Noah Martin error (as he tried to pick up a Nicho Hynes kick), giving the Sharks a 10-point lead.

  • Mark Nawaqanitawase and Robert Toia scored doubles as the Sydney Roosters beat Manly Warringah at 4 Pines Park.
  • The Wests Tigers scored 22 points in 28 minutes, with 12 points to Jock Madden (a try and four goals), to beat the Warriors at Go Media Stadium.
  • Thomas Jenkins scored another double (10 tries this season) as Penrith moved to outright first with a win over Parramatta at CommBank Stadium.
  • The Gold Coast won their first game of the season, coming from 14-6 down against St George Illawarra at Cbus Super Stadium (a double to Arama Hau).

After four rounds, Penrith stand alone as the competition’s only unbeaten side, with the chasing pack beginning to take shape behind them.

Embed from Getty Images

Results

Sea Eagles vs Roosters

Full Time: Sea Eagles 16 – 33 Roosters
Sea Eagles 16 (Tries: Tom Trbojevic 0′, 65′; Tolutau Koula 28′. Goals: Jamal Fogarty 1′, 66′)
Roosters 33 (Tries: Mark Nawaqanitawase 6′, 17′; Robert Toia 51′, 76′; Connor Watson 54′; Daniel Tupou 56′. Goals: Sam Walker 52′, 55′, 57′, 76′. 1-Point Field Goal: Sam Walker 79′)
Half-Time Score: Sea Eagles 10 – 8 Roosters
Date: Thursday 26th March 2026
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Tom Trbojevic (c)Fullback208
2Jason SaabWinger000
3Tolutau KoulaCentre104
4Reuben GarrickCentre000
5Lehi HopoateWinger000
6Luke BrooksFive-Eighth000
7Jamal FogartyHalfback024
8Taniela PasekaProp000
9Jake SimpkinInterchange000
10Kobe HetheringtonProp000
11Haumole Olakau’atu2nd Row000
12Ben Trbojevic2nd Row000
13Jake TrbojevicLock000
14Brandon WakehamInterchange000
15Corey WaddellInterchange000
16Ethan BullemorInterchange000
17Paul BryanInterchange000
18Simione LaiafiReserve000
19Josh FeledyReserve000
Team Total3216

Roosters Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsFGPoints
1James Tedesco (c)Fullback0000
2Daniel TupouWinger1004
3Billy SmithCentre0000
4Robert ToiaCentre2008
5Mark NawaqanitawaseWinger2008
6Daly Cherry-EvansFive-Eighth0000
7Sam WalkerHalfback0419
8Naufahu WhyteProp0000
9Reece RobsonHooker0000
10Lindsay CollinsProp0000
11Angus Crichton2nd Row0000
12Siua Wong2nd Row0000
13Egan ButcherLock0000
14Connor WatsonInterchange1004
15Blake SteepInterchange0000
16Nat ButcherInterchange0000
17Salesi FoketiInterchange0000
18Cody RamseyReserve0000
19Hugo SavalaReserve0000
Team Total64133

Warriors vs Wests Tigers

Full Time: Warriors 14 – 32 Wests Tigers
Warriors 14 (Tries: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 9′, 68′; Jacob Laban 15′. Goals: Tanah Boyd 16′)
Wests Tigers 32 (Tries: Faaletino Tavana 32′; Kai Pearce-Paul 35′; Royce Hunt 39′; Jahream Bula 59′; Jock Madden 73′; Sunia Turuva 79′. Goals: Jock Madden 37′, 40′, 60′, 74′)
Half-Time Score: Warriors 10 – 16 Wests Tigers
Date: Friday 27th March 2026
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Taine TuaupikiFullback000
2Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger000
3Adam PompeyCentre000
5Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger000
6Luke MetcalfFive-Eighth000
7Tanah BoydHalfback012
8James Fisher-Harris (c)Prop000
9Wayde EganHooker000
10Jackson FordProp000
11Leka HalasimaCentre000
12Jacob Laban2nd Row104
13Erin ClarkLock000
14Sam HealeyInterchange000
15Mitchell BarnettInterchange000
17Marata NiukoreInterchange000
18Morgan Gannon2nd Row000
20Chanel Harris-TavitaReserve000
21Taine TuaupikiFullback000
Team Total3114

Wests Tigers Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Jahream BulaFullback104
2Jeral SkeltonReserve000
3Sunia TuruvaCentre104
4Heamasi MakasiniCentre000
5Luke LauliliiWinger000
6Jock MaddenFive-Eighth1410
7Adam DoueihiHalfback000
8Terrell MayProp000
9Apisai KoroisauHooker000
10Fonua PoleProp000
11Samuela Fainu2nd Row000
12Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row104
13Alex TwalLock000
15Sione FainuInterchange000
16Royce HuntInterchange104
17Alex SeyfarthInterchange000
19Faaletino TavanaWinger104
21Latu FainuInterchange000
Team Total6432

Broncos vs Dolphins

Full Time: Broncos 26 – 12 Dolphins
Broncos 26 (Tries: Kotoni Staggs 3′, 79′; Adam Reynolds 24′; Reece Walsh 43′; Gehamat Shibasaki 72′. Goals: Adam Reynolds 26′, 44′, 74′)
Dolphins 12 (Tries: Jamayne Isaako 28′; Jake Averillo 58′. Goals: Jamayne Isaako 30′, 60′)
Half-Time Score: Broncos 10 – 6 Dolphins
Date: Friday 27th March 2026
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Reece WalshFullback104
2Josiah KarapaniWinger000
3Kotoni StaggsCentre208
4Deine MarinerCentre000
5Grant AndersonWinger000
6Ezra MamFive-Eighth000
7Adam Reynolds (c)Halfback138
8Corey JensenProp000
9Cory PaixHooker000
10Xavier WillisonProp000
11Brendan Piakura2nd Row000
12Jordan Riki2nd Row000
13Patrick CarriganLock000
14Ben HuntInterchange000
15Ben TaltyInterchange000
16Aublix TawhaReserve000
17Gehamat ShibasakiReserve104
18Jaiyden HuntReserve000
Team Total5326

Dolphins Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback000
2Jamayne IsaakoWinger126
3Jake AverilloCentre104
4Herbie FarnworthCentre000
5Selwyn CobboWinger000
6Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth000
7Isaiya Katoa (c)Halfback000
8Tom GilbertProp000
9Max PlathHooker000
10Felise KaufusiProp000
11Connelly Lemuelu2nd Row000
12Kulikefu Finefeuiaki2nd Row000
13Morgan KnowlesLock000
14Bradley SchneiderInterchange000
15Thomas FleglerInterchange000
16Oryn KeeleyInterchange000
17Ray StoneInterchange000
18Trai FullerReserve000
19Francis MoloReserve000
Team Total2212

Bulldogs vs Knights

Full Time: Bulldogs 16 – 24 Knights
Bulldogs 16 (Tries: Matt Burton 48′, 54′; Jacob Kiraz 72′. Goals: Stephen Crichton 50′, 55′)
Knights 24 (Tries: Dominic Young 6′, 60′, 69′; Tyson Frizell 33′; Dylan Lucas 39′. Goals: Sandon Smith 34′, 40′)
Half-Time Score: Bulldogs 0 – 16 Knights
Date: Saturday 28th March 2026
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Connor TraceyFullback000
2Jacob KirazWinger104
3Enari TualaCentre000
4Stephen Crichton (c)Centre024
5Marcelo MontoyaWinger000
6Matt BurtonFive-Eighth208
7Lachlan GalvinHalfback000
8Max KingProp000
9Bailey HaywardHooker000
10Sitili TupouniuaInterchange000
11Viliame Kikau2nd Row000
12Jacob Preston2nd Row000
13Jaeman SalmonLock000
14Kurt MannInterchange000
15Josh CurranInterchange000
16Lipoi HopoiProp000
17Sean O’SullivanInterchange000
19Jonathan SuaReserve000
20Fletcher BakerReserve000
Team Total3216

Knights Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Fletcher HuntFullback000
2Dominic YoungWinger3012
3Dane GagaiCentre000
4Bradman BestCentre000
5Greg MarzhewWinger000
6Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth000
7Sandon SmithHalfback024
8Jacob SaifitiProp000
9Phoenix CrosslandHooker000
10Tyson FrizellInterchange104
11Dylan Lucas2nd Row104
12Jermaine McEwen2nd Row000
13Mat CrokerLock000
14Thomas CantInterchange000
15Pasami SauloProp000
16Cody HopwoodInterchange000
18Tyson GambleReserve000
19Harrison GrahamInterchange000
22Wilson De CourceyReserve000
Team Total5224

Panthers vs Eels

Full Time: Panthers 48 – 20 Eels
Panthers 48 (Tries: Isaah Yeo 5′; Isaiah Papali’i 10′; Blaize Talagi 12′; Lindsay Smith 25′; Casey McLean 27′; Paul Alamoti 54′; Thomas Jenkins 57′, 77′. Goals: Nathan Cleary 6′, 11′, 14′, 26′, 28′, 56′, 59′, 77′)
Eels 20 (Tries: Josh Addo-Carr 21′; Bailey Simonsson 46′; Dylan Walker 69′; Sean Russell 73′. Goals: Mitchell Moses 69′, 74′)
Half-Time Score: Panthers 30 – 4 Eels
Date: Saturday 28th March 2026
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Panthers Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Dylan EdwardsFullback000
2Thomas JenkinsWinger208
3Paul AlamotiCentre104
4Casey McLeanCentre104
5Brian To’oWinger000
6Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth104
7Nathan Cleary (c)Halfback0816
8Moses LeotaProp000
9Mitch KennyHooker000
10Lindsay SmithProp104
11Isaiah Papali’i2nd Row104
12Liam Martin2nd Row000
13Isaah YeoLock104
15Billy PhillipsInterchange000
16Scott SorensenInterchange000
17Luke GarnerInterchange000
18Izack TagoReserve000
19Freddy LussickInterchange000
21Jack ColeReserve000
Team Total8848

Eels Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Isaiah IongiFullback000
2Bailey SimonssonWinger104
3Brian KellyCentre000
4Sean RussellCentre104
5Josh Addo-CarrWinger104
6Jonah PezetFive-Eighth000
7Mitchell Moses (c)Halfback024
8Jack WilliamsProp000
9Ryley SmithHooker000
10Junior PauloProp000
11Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row000
12Kitione Kautoga2nd Row000
13Dylan WalkerLock104
14Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange000
15Sam TuivaitiInterchange000
16Matt DooreyInterchange000
17Luca MorettiReplacement000
18Charlie GuymerReserve000
19Joash PapaliiInterchange000
Team Total4220

Cowboys vs Storm

Full Time: Cowboys 28 – 24 Storm
Cowboys 28 (Tries: Jake Clifford 4′; Braidon Burns 11′, 74′; Murray Taulagi 52′; Sam McIntyre 68′; Heilum Luki 71′. Goals: Jake Clifford 6′; Scott Drinkwater 72′)
Storm 24 (Tries: Will Warbrick 8′, 22′, 43′, 64′; Sualauvi Faalogo 36′. Goals: Harry Grant 9′, 23′)
Half-Time Score: Cowboys 10 – 16 Storm
Date: Saturday 28th March 2026
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Scott DrinkwaterFullback012
2Braidon BurnsWinger208
3Jaxon PurdueCentre000
4Zac LaybuttCentre000
5Murray TaulagiWinger104
6Jake CliffordFive-Eighth116
7Tom Dearden (c)Halfback000
8Coen HessInterchange000
9Reed MahoneyHooker000
10Jason TaumaloloProp000
11Heilum Luki2nd Row104
12Sam McIntyre2nd Row104
13Reuben CotterLock000
14Soni LukeInterchange000
16Griffin NeameInterchange000
18Thomas MikaeleInterchange000
19Liam SuttonReserve000
21Matthew LodgeInterchange000
Team Total6228

Storm Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Sualauvi FaalogoFullback104
2Will WarbrickWinger4016
3Jack HowarthCentre000
4Moses LeoCentre000
6Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth000
7Jahrome HughesHalfback000
8Stefano UtoikamanuProp000
9Harry Grant (c)Hooker024
10Josh KingProp000
11Joe Chan2nd Row000
12Alec MacDonald2nd Row000
13Trent LoieroLock000
14Tyran WishartInterchange000
15Cooper ClarkeInterchange000
16Tui KamikamicaInterchange000
19Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownWinger000
21Manaia WaitereInterchange000
Team Total5224

Raiders vs Sharks

Full Time: Raiders 22 – 34 Sharks
Raiders 22 (Tries: Kaeo Weekes 16′; Hudson Young 25′; Savelio Tamale 45′; Xavier Savage 55′. Goals: Ethan Sanders 18′, 27′, 57′)
Sharks 34 (Tries: Teig Wilton 4′; KL Iro 7′; Billy Burns 21′; Samuel Stonestreet 48′; William Kennedy 59′; Jesse Colquhoun 71′. Goals: Nicholas Hynes 5′, 9′, 23′, 60′. Penalty Goals: Nicholas Hynes 79′)
Half-Time Score: Raiders 12 – 18 Sharks
Date: Saturday 28th March 2026
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Kaeo WeekesFullback104
2Savelio TamaleWinger104
3Simi SasagiCentre000
4Sebastian KrisCentre000
5Xavier SavageWinger104
6Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth000
7Ethan SandersHalfback036
8Morgan SmithiesProp000
9Tom StarlingHooker000
10Joseph TapineProp000
11Hudson Young2nd Row104
12Noah Martin2nd Row000
13Corey HorsburghLock000
14Jayden BraileyInterchange000
15Zac HoskingInterchange000
16Ata MariotaInterchange000
17Joe RoddyInterchange000
18Daine LaurieReserve000
19Jed StuartReserve000
Team Total4322

Sharks Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1William KennedyFullback1004
2Sione KatoaWinger0000
3Jesse RamienCentre0000
4KL IroCentre1004
5Samuel StonestreetWinger1004
6Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth0000
7Nicholas HynesHalfback04110
8Addin Fonua-BlakeProp0000
9Blayke BraileyHooker0000
10Thomas HazeltonInterchange0000
11Billy Burns2nd Row1004
12Teig Wilton2nd Row1004
13Jesse ColquhounLock1004
14Siosifa TalakaiInterchange0000
15Toby RudolfProp0000
16Oregon KaufusiInterchange0000
17Braden UeleInterchange0000
18Hohepa PuruReserve0000
20Chris Vea’ilaReserve0000
Team Total64134

Titans vs Dragons

Full Time: Titans 22 – 14 Dragons
Titans 22 (Tries: Phillip Sami 9′; Arama Hau 47′, 73′. Goals: Jayden Campbell 10′, 48′, 74′. Penalty Goals: Jayden Campbell 70′; Oliver Pascoe 79′)
Dragons 14 (Tries: Tyrell Sloan 3′; Damien Cook 25′. Goals: Valentine Holmes 4′, 27′. Penalty Goals: Valentine Holmes 44′)
Half-Time Score: Titans 6 – 12 Dragons
Date: Sunday 29th March 2026
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1Keano KiniFullback0000
2Sialetili FaeamaniWinger0000
3Jojo FifitaCentre0000
5Phillip SamiWinger1004
6AJ BrimsonCentre0000
7Jayden CampbellHalfback0318
8Moeaki FotuaikaInterchange0000
9Sam VerrillsHooker0000
10Tino Fa’asuamaleauiProp0000
11Arama Hau2nd Row2008
12Beau Fermor2nd Row0000
13Chris RandallLock0000
14Kurtis MorrinInterchange0000
16Klese HaasProp0000
17Cooper BaiInterchange0000
18Lachlan IliasFive-Eighth0000
21Oliver PascoeInterchange0012
22Jett LiuReserve0000
Team Total33222

Dragons Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1Clinton GuthersonFullback0000
2Christian TuipulotuWinger0000
4Valentine HolmesCentre0216
6Kyle FlanaganFive-Eighth0000
7Daniel AtkinsonHalfback0000
8Emre GulerProp0000
9Damien CookHooker1004
10Blake LawrieProp0000
11Luciano Leilua2nd Row0000
12Jaydn Su’A2nd Row0000
13Hamish StewartInterchange0000
14Jacob LiddleInterchange0000
15Hame SeleLock0000
18Josh KerrInterchange0000
19Hayden BuchananCentre0000
20Tyrell SloanWinger1004
22Lyhkan King-TogiaInterchange0000
Team Total22114

Related Articles

Subscribe to our weekly tips

We'll send you our weekly predictions once they're posted to Rugby League Zone!

No spam, you can cancel at any time.

Previous articleStorm Move Early to Replace Meaney with Isaako Signing
Next articleNRL 2026: One Player Charged After Round 4 Sunday Matches
Web Content Editor for Rugby League Zone.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.