Read full preview:
- Bulldogs vs Storm → Read full preview: bulldogs-vs-storm-round-12-preview-2026
- Dragons vs Warriors → Read full preview: dragons-vs-warriors-round-12-preview-2026
- Sea Eagles vs Titans → Read full preview: sea-eagles-vs-titans-round-12-preview-2026
- Cowboys vs Rabbitohs → Read full preview: cowboys-vs-rabbitohs-round-12-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Thursday, 21 May 2026 – 7:50pm AEST – GIO Stadium, Canberra
📺 Nine Network / Nine Now / Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Todd Smith | Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Canberra Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Sebastian Kris, 4. Matthew Timoko, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Daine Laurie, 7. Ethan Sanders, 8. Corey Horsburgh, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine (c), 11. Ata Mariota, 12. Zac Hosking, 13. Jayden Brailey, 14. Owen Pattie, 15. Jordan Uta, 16. Morgan Smithies, 17. Jed Stuart, 18. Chevy Stewart, 19. Jake Clydsdale, 20. Coby Black, 21. Vena Patuki-Case, 22. Ethan Alaia
Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jack Bostock, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Tevita Naufahu, 6. Bradley Schneider, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Felise Kaufusi, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Francis Molo, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Kurt Donoghoe, 15. Ray Stone, 16. Tom Gilbert, 17. Oryn Keeley, 18. Brian Pouniu, 19. Lewis Symonds, 20. John Fineanganofo, 21. LJ Nonu, 22. Patrick Kailahi
Match Preview
Origin teams are in and the shortened Round 12 begins at GIO Stadium with the Canberra Raiders taking on the Dolphins from Redcliffe.
As it stands the Dolphins are sitting in eighth spot and will be keen to take advantage of the Raiders, who will be missing two key players who got selected for State of Origin. The Dolphins looked good at Magic Round, defeating the Rabbitohs 32-10, while the Raiders sit 12th after gaining two points resting up with the bye. A win for the Raiders will see them tie with the Dolphins on points and push for a spot in the top eight, so this is quite a high-stakes battle.
The Raiders had the bittersweet news that both Hudson Young and Ethan Strange received call-ups into the New South Wales squad. Whilst this is testament to their work ethic and form, they’re two massive holes to fill for Ricky Stuart. Daine Laurie’s versatility comes in handy, as he slots into Strange’s five-eighth role, while Ata Mariota finds his way into left edge second row for Hudson Young. Simi Sasagi’s breakout season is temporarily halted as he is set to miss more than a month with his shoulder injury. Zac Hosking will fill his spot in the second row. Xavier Savage had a great start to his campaign, looking fitter and stronger than ever without losing any pace. Injury disrupted this momentum, but in very good news will return to his right wing role. To cap off a very busy team news for the Raiders Jordan Uta is set to make his debut from the interchange bench.
Origin selection has also affected the Dolphins. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo, Max Plath, and Thomas Flegler were all called up to Billy Slater’s Queensland squad, leaving a selection headache at Redcliffe. A few rounds ago Trai Fuller was named to play right centre but unfortunately got moved to reserves to make way for Jack Bostock’s return from injury. This week he is named at fullback to replace ‘The Hammer’ and barring any injury setback he will take the field Thursday night. Brad Schneider has seen some time floating around utility roles but gets a chance at five-eighth to replace the injury-prone Kodi Nikorima, who has unfortunately injured his hamstring. Jeremy Marshall-King has been the impact hooker off the bench recently, with Plath’s Origin-inducing form keeping him out of the starting side, but with Plath’s selection Marshall-King gets the green light to start against the men in green. Francis Molo comes into the starting front row spot left by Flegler, and finally Tevita Naufahu will take his place on Cobbo’s left wing. Herbie Farnworth was named but was a late omission on Wednesday morning, replaced by Oryn Keeley. Origin period certainly makes team list Tuesday a more interesting event.
This game will come down to who manages the loss of their key personnel better. The Raiders have struggled to score points at times this season, and when you take out Strange, Young and Sasagi it’s hard to know where the major attacking impact is going to come from. The good news is the Raiders middle is still intact with the likes of Tapine, Horsburgh and Starling all still injury-free and available facing a reshuffled middle of the Dolphins. This might open up some opportunities for Kaeo Weekes to take over and give the much-needed spark in the Raiders attack. Xavier Savage adds to this speed prospect as well which is promising for the Raiders going forward. That right edge defence is also still questionable, and when you take Strange and Sasagi out, who have been the best defenders there, it’s going to be very interesting how it plays out.
The Dolphins will look to the likes of Schneider, Lemuelu, and Naufahu to make it as challenging as possible for Laurie and Hosking to develop a defensive chemistry together. A good start here (denting the confidence of the new pairing) could open up the potential for poor decisions all night and momentum heavily going towards the Dolphins. Savage’s absence could also be a key reason to why that edge has struggled to hold teams out, so his return might help with Timoko’s confidence as he has struggled with his tackling efficiency, leading to tries on the outside.
With the stakes higher than ever as the top eight race takes shape around the Origin period, it makes for a very entertaining battle in Canberra on Thursday night. This has the potential to be a very high-scoring match, so strap in and enjoy this round of NRL as Origin fever is on the horizon.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Raiders by 4
Bold call: Schneider scores on his return to Canberra.
Related
- NRL Round 11 Review
- NRL Round 12 Predictions
- NRL Round 12 Team Lists
- NRL Round 12 Hub
- NRL Injury List
- NRL Match Review Tracker
For full State of Origin coverage, see our series hub → /state-of-origin/2026-series/
