2026 NRL – Round 19, NRLW Round 2 and State of Origin Game 3: Another 5-day carnival of rugby league!

 

 

A mini rant (and a little rave too)

Let’s focus on the FIFA World Cup and its idiosyncrasies. For every great game (eg, Mexico v England) you get an absolute horror show (eg, France v Paraguay). The former were teams trying to play ‘the beautiful game’, the latter was anti-football at its worst with one team trying to play the game, the other bringing it (and themselves) into disrepute. I admired the way Mbappe kept his cool and smiled/laughed at his opponents and their cynical tactics. Refereeing? Shall we say ‘inconsistent’? Political interference and transparency? Does The Donald know no boundaries? Or should that be Infantino having no credibility? Let’s see how the pointy end of the tournament pans out.

Kudos to the Australian women’s cricket team on winning their World Cup. Given significant player turnover in the past two years and an unexpected choice for captain, this blend of old stagers and next generation up-and-comers went through the series undefeated and won the final in a canter. Totally ascendant.

 

NRL Round 18

You’d have to say that the Rabbitohs are pretenders based on their poor effort against an understrength Panthers outfit. Bad Cody failed his big test, in more ways than one. But it also makes you wonder how the Panthers lost their last two games and yet came up with an effort like this. The Dragons finally got win number two for the season against what can only be described as a very disappointing Wests Tigers outfit. I always thought Val Holmes to be a better winger than centre. The less said about the Broncos the better, and full marks to the Sharks for their deserved win. Again, the final scoreline flattered Brisbane. Axes will swing come season’s end – or sooner! The Jekyll and Hyde Eels sprang a surprise over an unusually ordinary Manly side. I just can’t make heads or tails of the Eels while Manly are still looking for a consistent level where this should have been two competition points but it didn’t eventuate. Foran is learning that this coaching caper isn’t all beer and skittles. The Dolphins’ run had to end sooner or later and the Knights performed the spoiler role on a wet and miserable Brisbane afternoon. Both are safely in the eight for now yet I remain unconvinced that either can be top four.

 

NRL Round 19

Friday night footy has the Wests Tigers taking on the Warriors. Benji’s boys have lost their way a bit of late while the Warriors sit second on the ladder. I used to worry about the Warriors on the road but they’re a solid combination coming off a refreshing bye. Expect them to be ready to go and so it’s the Warriors for me.

On Saturday afternoon the Dolphins are at their Redcliffe base to take on the Sharks. Perhaps last week was the loss the Dolphins needed to give them a reality check. This game may depend on how many Origin players back up with the Dolphins more likely to have to deal with the aftermath. The Sharks will be keen after their good win last weekend so this should be a cracker of a game. I’m letting my heart rule my head again – Dolphins. The twilight game has the Bulldogs hosting the Raiders – two teams dealing with significant disappointment this year. (Only Brisbane have been more of a disappointment.) Both sides are coming off a bye so who knows how they’ll fare? At home I’ll go with the Bulldogs. The late game features the Roosters against the Eels, another game where Origin hangover might impact the game. The vastly experienced and highly admirable Daniel Tupou plays game 300 for the Chooks which, I think, will be sufficient incentive for the boys from Bondi to win. The Eels are just too inconsistent to tip.

On Sunday afternoon the Cody-less Rabbitohs take on the Knights who keep winning games you don’t expect them to. (And they have some of the worst hairscuts in the code!) If Ponga and Best are on board, I can’t see them losing this one, so get on the Knights. The free to air game, the Sea Eagles v the Cowboys, is possibly the most important game of the round. Both are hovering around the fringes of the eight and, consequently, need every competition point they can muster to stay within range of the leaders. Both have a lot of really good footy in them but both have also shown that they can be vulnerable under pressure. I think I’ll go with Manly at their Brookie stronghold. Finally, the Storm take on the Titans in Melbourne. The Storm were meek losers to Manly recently while the Titans have been up and down. Both are struggling for consistency, credibility and competitive competence. I think Melbourne have more potential in them and so, at home, I think they’ll take the chocolates.

 

NRLW Round 1

No great surprises in Week 1 with the two favourites, the Broncos and the Roosters, looking to be a cut above the rest. I can’t wait for Round 7 on August 15 when these two heavyweight teams meet. It was great to see Taryn Aiken back and in full flight – it was a pity that she missed the Origin series. It looks like the Knights, Raiders, Wests Tigers and Warriors will be the next layer on the ladder based on that round.

 

NRLW Round 2

We might find out more tomorrow night when the Sharks meet the Broncos. Are the Broncos that good or can a solid outfit like the Sharks match it with them? There’s a lot of credibility for the Sharks resting on the outcome of this one. I’ll stay with the Broncos. The Cowboys are always better at home, and they’ll need to be after their poor effort in Round 1 and the promising form of the Wests Tigers. It’s hard not to go with the form and so I’ll pick the Wests Tigers. Both the Bulldogs and the Titans were disappointing last week and so both will be keen to got off the mark this time around. The Titans have a solid record going back to last season but are playing away. A toss of the coin – Titans. The Roosters v Knights game is match of the round. Can the Knights lose someone like Jesse Southwell and still compete against the best? It’s hard to see that happening, so I’ll be on the star-studded Roosters. The Raiders v Warriors game is another highly anticipated clash with both seeking to establish solid credentials to get their season underway in the strongest terms. Another toss of the coin – Warriors. Finally, the Dragons take on the Eels. The latter showed glimpses last week while the former seemed well below par when compared to their past record. I’m willing to go with the Dragons based more on that past record than early form.

 

State of Origin

It’s rare that the Maroons go into an Origin game as favourites with the bookies. Their thumping win in Game 2 says that’s the form, so fair enough. But somehow I just can’t see NSW playing so poorly again – surely something has to click for them sooner or later. And where better to do it than at Lang Park? But will they line ups as programmed? Why are Murray, Olakau’atu and Strange on the bench in a decider? Is Carrigan fit enough return at this level after a long injury break? How badly will the Maroons miss Collins, a vastly underrated player? And a heap of other permutations. In the end I think it will come down to a champion team beating a team of champion players. Queensland by <6.

 

Tipping

A shocker – 1/5 says it all! Back to the drawing board!

 

The Round

To see the who, where and when of NRL Round 19 click here.

To see the who, where and when of NRLW Round 2 click here.

 

 

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To see the full 2026 season draw for the NRL click HERE.

To see the full 2026 season draw for the NRLW click HERE.

 To see the details for State of Origin in 2026 click HERE.

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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