As NRL Round 23 and 24 action unfolds in August 2026, clubs face starkly contrasting fortunes. While the New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers prepare for a crucial finals preview clash at Go Media Stadium, the Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra Dragons navigate vastly different emotional landscapes following intense local derbies and crucial byes.
Warriors and Panthers Clash in Auckland Finals Preview
A potential finals preview headlines Friday night as the Warriors host Penrith in Auckland with both clubs arriving off emphatic victories. The Warriors rediscovered their attacking flair with a 42-6 win over Gold Coast, while the Panthers returned to top form by defeating Canberra 42-18 to remain firmly in the race for the minor premiership.
Penrith will again be without Dylan Edwards and Casey McLean, but Nathan Cleary returns after missing the clubs’ thrilling two-point encounter earlier this season. The Panthers have won 11 of their past 12 meetings with the Warriors and have consistently found a way to shut down the hosts’ attack, with New Zealand scoring more than 18 points only once across that stretch.
The Warriors have improved considerably this season, but history suggests another tight contest where Penrith’s composure in big moments could prove decisive.
Tigers Seek Respite After Bye Week Turmoil
Sunday afternoon at CommBank Stadium gives us the Tigers against the Dragons, a matchup between 14th and 17th where neither team has earned anything resembling betting trust. Wests had the bye last week, which at least meant they managed to get through an entire weekend without appearing in another crisis headline.
Wests’ most recent game was the 16-13 loss to Parramatta in Round 22, before their Round 23 bye. It was hardly inspiring football. The Eels completed just 67 per cent, made 19 errors and handed the Tigers repeated opportunities to win, yet Wests still found a way to lose. Adam Doueihi briefly put them ahead with a field goal before Parramatta stole the result late.
The positive is that it was at least competitive. After some truly horrendous defensive performances across the previous month, the Tigers restricted Parramatta to 16 and remained in the game for the full 80 minutes. The team list contains genuine talent, with Jahream Bula remaining dangerous from fullback, Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi forming an experienced halves pairing, and Api Koroisau still capable of controlling a match from dummy half. NSW Cup leading try scorer Solomone Saukuru is set for his NRL debut in the centres, while Junior Tupou and Sunia Turuva occupy the wings.
Dragons Ride Emotional High After Kogarah Upset
St George Illawarra’s 24-16 upset of Cronulla was easily their best win of the season. The Dragons entered as huge underdogs against a Sharks side sitting fourth but defended with enormous commitment and found the decisive attacking moments late. Setu Tu scored in the 77th minute to seal the result after Cronulla had briefly levelled the scores at 16-16.
The individual efforts were extraordinary. Clint Gutherson ran for 201 metres from 26 carries and broke seven tackles. Ryan Couchman produced 148 metres and an incredible 67 tackles, while Jacob Liddle played the full 80 minutes and made 56 tackles. Young back-rower Hamish Stewart also impressed with 42 tackles and a spectacular first-half try.
Backing up that sort of effort against the Tigers at CommBank Stadium is a vastly different psychological proposition. The Dragons do regain Toby Couchman from concussion protocols, while Damien Cook has been named to start after Jacob Liddle played the entire match last week.
Team Selections and Lineups Across the Fixtures
Squad compositions highlight the physical toll of the 2026 season. For the Friday night clash in Auckland, the Warriors named Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ali Leiataua, Leka Halasima, and Alofiana Khan-Pereira across their backline, supported by Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin in the halves. The Panthers roll out a team featuring Jaxen Edgar, Thomas Jenkins, Paul Alamoti, Izack Tago, Brian To’o, Jack Cogger, and Nathan Cleary.
These fixtures illustrate the fine margins separating momentum and exhaustion at this stage of the premiership calendar, as clubs balance player workloads against the pressing demand for late-season competition points.
