2026 NRL Pre Season Challenge
South Sydney v Manly-Warringah
Sunday 22 February
Mudgee
South Sydney comprehensively defeated Manly-Warringah in picturesque Mudgee to remain undefeated in the 2026 NRL Pre-Season Challenge.
I could not agree more with the Almanac’s rugby league editor Ian Hauser regarding the value, or lack thereof regarding the NRL pre-season challenge.
Other than pay TV ‘filler’ – South Sydney beat Manly-Warringah … great!
Already this week, Brandon ‘The Cheese’ Smith has gone for scans on a ‘significant’ calf injury, alongside Jai Arrow being out long term.
Round 1 against the Dolphins in Brisbane just became a much higher mountain to climb.
Perhaps South Sydney’s depth is better in 2026?
Perhaps Cody and Latrell will be on the field more often?
Perhaps Campbell Graham (remember him?) will be on the field more often?
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps …
One thing is for certain: this is the ‘Skinny Coach’s’ (Roy Masters’ nickname for Wayne Bennett!) greatest challenge.
Hakeem Haas is not arriving until 2027.
The South Sydney team sheet bore little resemblance to the energetic rookies who won the Charity Shield the previous weekend in Wollongong.
Cody and Latrell were back, along with Cameron Murray, Dragons bound Keon Koloamatangi, Jye Gray, Campbell Graham, Brandon ‘The Cheese’ Smith, among others. The impressive youngster Ashton Ward was a deserved starter at halfback.
Ward has a great passing and kicking game, something South Sydney have missed since Adam Reynolds headed north.
Winger Alex Johnston, who is on the cusp of Ken Irvine’s try scoring record, was a late withdrawal due to hamstring soreness, along with another veteran off season signing, Adam Elliott.
Full time: South Sydney 30 defeated Manly-Warringah 6
South Sydney team list: Gray, Bentley-Hape, Mitchell, Wighton, Graham, Walker, Ward, Tetola, Smith, Koloamatangi, Duncan, Fifita, Murray (capt), bench: J Humphreys, Mamouzelos, Garlick, Aitken, Mazzone, Elliott, Hubner, Keppie, Dufty, Le Blanc, Siegwalt, M Humphries, Fletcher, Rade
South Sydney scorers: tries: Graham 7’, Walker 17’, Garlick 57’, Mitchell 60’, Mamouzelos 65’, goals: Mitchell 4, Humphreys 1.
Highlights:
NRL 2026 Witzer Pre-season Challenge | Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles | Match Highlights | Week 3
South Sydney full weekend results:
U/17 Lisa Fiaola Cup Western Suburbs 24 d South Sydney 12
U/19 Tasha Gale Cup Western Suburbs 26 d South Sydney 0
U16 Harrold Matthews Cup South Sydney 16 d Western Suburbs 10
U/19 SG Ball Cup South Sydney 38 d Western Suburbs 18
Commendation:
League Unlimited ‘Front Row’ magazine – brilliant! The 2026 version of Big League
BAROSSA VALLEY RED WINE OF THE WEEK
Tscharke Marananga Barossa Valley ‘The Master’ Montepulciano 2022
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About Russel Hansen
Russel Hansen Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters. Twitter: @Russel_Hansen
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Actually, I think this works well, RITV – the smooth elegance of Nat King Cole alongside a firm but gentle montepulciano. Just need a good cheese, some Maggie Beer quince paste, several slices of Barossa mettwurst and a shady verandah with an outlook.
Enjoy the cherubs at Trinity today!
2025 was a disaster for the bunnies. Surely one of the worst injury runs ever experienced b an NRL club. In horse racing terms you would have to say,” forget they went around”. I think they have good depth and a good list of players. Good opportunity for the “skinny coach” to weave some magic.
Maybe RITV needs to visit St Marouns and watch the Prospectors altar boys at work- he was a Saint of great spiritual and ascetic value- perfect for sometime wayward young men from Redfern – Do Maronite churches have altar boys?