The 2026 NRL finals series delivered drama, controversy and history in a thrilling opening weekend. The Dolphins secured the club’s first-ever finals victory to earn a home preliminary final, while Newcastle’s remarkable resurgence continued with an upset win over South Sydney. Penrith booked a seventh consecutive preliminary final berth after edging the Roosters in a classic contest, and Cronulla kept its premiership hopes alive by ending North Queensland’s season. Here’s everything that happened in Week 1 of the finals.
Week 1 Finals
Review
Penrith and the Dolphins have the week off after winning their qualifying finals, while Newcastle and Cronulla-Sutherland won their elimination finals. The Roosters play the Sharks next Saturday night at Allianz Stadium and the Warriors play the Knights next Sunday (4pm Australian time) at Eden Park.
Penrith advanced to the preliminary final after beating the Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium. In one of the games of the year, there was only one point scored in the second half until Brian To’o’s try in the 77th minute. Nathan Cleary was sin-binned on half-time after contacting Hugo Savala’s leg after a kick, with plenty of debate ahead over whether he’ll be suspended or not. While no damage was done on the scoreboard (with Savala missing the penalty goal to keep the half-time score at 12-12), Cleary was hampered by a foot injury as the game progressed, but still kicked the field goal to put Penrith ahead. The Roosters led 12-6 after 26 minutes following Mark Nawaqanitawase’s 45-metre intercept try. It will be Penrith’s seventh straight preliminary final since 2020. GAME BREAKER: While To’o scored the try to secure Penrith’s win, Blaize Talagi forced the error with a tackle on Savala. It was redemption for Talagi – playing centre following an injury to Luke Garner – as his place in the Panthers side had been questioned due to his defensive issues.
The Dolphins won their first ever NRL final, beating the Warriors in the qualifying final at Go Media Stadium. The most intriguing finals match-up lived up to the hype: three sin bins in the first half (briefly giving the Dolphins a 12-on-11 advantage), Taine Tuaupiki scoring all of the Warriors’ 16 points (a try and six goals), and the Dolphins scoring four tries to one. Tuaupiki kicked five penalty goals as the Warriors set up a 16-8 lead, before the Dolphins scored three tries in the last 20 minutes to overtake them. The Warriors lost Adam Pompey and Kurt Capewell to the sin bin within five minutes in the first half, while the Dolphins lost Selwyn Cobbo. The Dolphins will play their first ever home final (a preliminary final) at Suncorp Stadium. GAME BREAKER: The Dolphins scored a fantastic try to take the lead in the 66th minute. It was started by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who took the ball on his 10 metre line, ran to the Warriors’ 35, passed to Herbie Farnworth, then Farnworth passed back for Tabuai-Fidow to score.
Newcastle continued their rise from the 2025 wooden spoon with a win over South Sydney at Allianz Stadium. The Round 27 bye seemed to benefit the Knights as they led 10-0 after 27 minutes, and the scuffle between Latrell Mitchell and Dane Gagai added some intensity to the elimination final. Cody Walker’s calf injury was a big blow for Souths (in the Rabbitohs’ first final since 2022), causing a reshuffle as Jamie Humphreys joined Jayden Sullivan in the halves, and Jye Gray played 28 minutes off the bench. Alex Johnston (suspected groin injury) leaving the field with 16 minutes left was also crucial as Souths were trailing 16-6 at the time. This was Keaon Koloamatangi’s final game for South Sydney before moving to St George Illawarra, though the Rabbitohs have Payne Haas arriving to replace him. Newcastle won their first final since 2023 (when they beat Canberra in the elimination final) and it was another tick for Justin Holbrook in his first season as Knights coach. GAME BREAKER: Trailing 10-6 midway through the second half, Souths could have taken the lead when Jayden Sullivan scored after Johnston and Sullivan both kicked ahead. However, the Bunker ruled it a loose carry from Johnston rather than a strip by Jermaine McEwen. While Phoenix Crossland missed a scoring opportunity a couple of minutes later, McEwen’s second try gave Newcastle a 16-6 lead.
Cronulla-Sutherland advanced to the semi-finals, beating North Queensland at Allianz Stadium. Despite four losses from their last five games, the Sharks were in control for most of the elimination final. Sione Katoa’s double included his 100th NRL try and his second try came from a 65-metre intercept off Scott Drinkwater (who played his 168th and final game for the Cowboys). GAME BREAKER: With Cronulla leading 16-12, tries to William Kennedy and Nicho Hynes put the game out of reach.
Results
Rabbitohs vs Knights (Elimination Final)
| Full Time | South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 – 20 Newcastle Knights |
| Scorers | South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 (Tries: Campbell Graham 35′, Jye Gray 74′. Goals: Latrell Mitchell 36′) Newcastle Knights 20 (Tries: Jermaine McEwen 4′, Dane Gagai 25′, Jermaine McEwen 61′, Dominic Young 65′. Goals: Sandon Smith 27′, 62′) |
| Half-Time | South Sydney Rabbitohs 6 – 10 Newcastle Knights |
| Date | Friday, 11th September 2026 |
| Venue | Allianz Stadium |
| Players | South Sydney Rabbitohs: Matt Dufty, Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Jayden Sullivan, Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith, Keaon Koloamatangi, David Fifita, Tallis Duncan, Cameron Murray, Jye Gray, Lachlan Hubner, Sean Keppie, Jamie Humphreys Newcastle Knights: Kalyn Ponga, Dominic Young, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Sandon Smith, Tyson Frizell, Phoenix Crossland, Cody Hopwood, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Manuleleua, Mat Croker, Harrison Graham, Lachlan Crouch, Pasami Saulo, Thomas Cant |
Warriors vs Dolphins (Qualifying Final)
| Full Time | New Zealand Warriors 16 – 26 Dolphins |
| Scorers | New Zealand Warriors 16 (Tries: Taine Tuaupiki 15′. Goals: Taine Tuaupiki 16′, 8′, 20′, 40′, 50′, 52′) Dolphins 26 (Tries: Selwyn Cobbo 25′, Herbie Farnworth 60′, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 66′, Jack Bostock 74′. Goals: Jamayne Isaako 12′, 27′, 62′, 68′, 76′) |
| Half-Time | New Zealand Warriors 8 – 12 Dolphins |
| Date | Saturday, 12th September 2026 |
| Venue | Go Media Stadium |
| Players | New Zealand Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Ali Leiataua, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitchell Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Adam Pompey, Samuel Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Jackson Ford Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Thomas Flegler, Jeremy Marshall-King, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles, Kurt Donoghoe, Ray Stone, Francis Molo, Connelly Lemuelu |
Sharks vs Cowboys (Elimination Final)
| Full Time | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 26 – 16 North Queensland Cowboys |
| Scorers | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 26 (Tries: Siosifa Talakai 19′, Sione Katoa 31′, Sione Katoa 48′, William Kennedy 60′, Nicho Hynes 65′. Goals: Nicho Hynes PG 5′, Nicho Hynes 20′, Nicho Hynes 66′) North Queensland Cowboys 16 (Tries: Braidon Burns 26′, Zac Laybutt 56′, Jaxon Purdue 71′. Goals: Scott Drinkwater 27′, Scott Drinkwater 57′) |
| Half-Time | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 12 – 6 North Queensland Cowboys |
| Date | Saturday, 12th September 2026 |
| Venue | Allianz Stadium |
| Players | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: William Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Riley Jones, KL Iro, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Jesse Colquhoun, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Cameron McInnes, Siosifa Talakai, Billy Burns, Oregon Kaufusi, Thomas Hazelton North Queensland Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Chester, Zac Laybutt, Jake Clifford, Tom Dearden, Griffin Neame, Reed Mahoney, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki, Reuben Cotter, John Bateman, Jeremiah Nanai, Soni Luke, Coen Hess, Sam McIntyre |
Panthers vs Roosters (Qualifying Final)
| Full Time | Penrith Panthers 19 – 12 Sydney Roosters |
| Scorers | Penrith Panthers 19 (Tries: Liam Martin 11′, Dylan Edwards 35′, Brian To’o 77′. Goals: Nathan Cleary 13′, Nathan Cleary 37′, Dylan Edwards 78′, Nathan Cleary 70′ FG) Sydney Roosters 12 (Tries: Robert Toia 19′, Mark Nawaqanitawase 24′. Goals: Hugo Savala 21′, Hugo Savala 26′) |
| Half-Time | Penrith Panthers 12 – 12 Sydney Roosters |
| Date | Sunday, 13th September 2026 |
| Venue | CommBank Stadium |
| Players | Penrith Panthers: Dylan Edwards, Tom Jenkins, Casey McLean, Brian To’o, Jack Cole, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Isaiah Papali’i, Liam Martin, Liam Henry, Blaize Talagi, Isaah Yeo, Scott Sorensen, Billy Phillips, Billy Scott Sydney Roosters: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Hugo Savala, Daly Cherry-Evans, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson, Lindsay Collins, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Egan Butcher, Salesi Foketi, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Nat Butcher |
