NRL 2026 Trials Week 3: Team Tips, Fifita, Mitchell & Moses Updates

February 16, 2026 Alex Carter - Sports Editor Sport

South Sydney Rabbitohs fans are bracing for potential delays to the start of the NRL season for key players Latrell Mitchell and David Fifita, with both sidelined due to injury concerns. The news comes as teams finalize preparations for the upcoming pre-season trials.

According to reports, Mitchell and Fifita will both have a week off training as a precaution. The Rabbitohs were significantly impacted by injuries throughout the 2025 season, with several stars including Mitchell, Cody Walker, Cameron Murray, and Campbell Graham spending extended periods on the sidelines, and the club will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that misfortune.

Despite the injury concerns, there is optimism surrounding Fifita’s integration into the South Sydney squad. Newly signed from the Titans, Fifita will be looking to recapture his form under the guidance of experienced coach Wayne Bennett, as reported by the ABC on February 3, 2026. Bennett’s experience will be crucial in helping Fifita overcome a season lost to injury.

The Rabbitohs are still planning to unveil Fifita in their pre-season trial against the Manly Sea Eagles. Mitchell may also feature in the match, potentially in a novel position, though his availability remains uncertain.

Elsewhere in the league, the Parramatta Eels are set to showcase their new halves pairing of Mitchell Moses and Jonah Pezet against the Sydney Roosters. The Roosters are expected to field their new spine recruits in the same trial match.

The pre-season trials are heating up, with several matches scheduled for the coming weeks. The New Zealand Warriors will face the Gold Coast Dolphins on February 20th at Leichhardt Oval, while the Wests Tigers will host the Penrith Panthers. The Cronulla Sharks will play the Canberra Raiders at Polytec Stadium, Gosford, and the Roosters will face the Eels at the same venue. The Melbourne Storm will travel to the Sunshine Coast to take on the Gold Coast Titans on February 22nd.

The NRL season is set to initiate on March 2nd, with the Raiders taking on the Warriors. Fans can watch the 2026 NRL Pre-season series and All-Star matches live and ad-break free on FOX LEAGUE, available through Kayo Sports.

Related

Adam Christensen, Addin Fonua-Blake, Alex Challenor, Andes Johansson, Angus Hinchey, ankle injury, Apa Twidle, Australia, Australia and New Zealand, Australian Capital Territory, Australian Rugby League Commission, bargain buy, Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Benjamin Keene, Billy Phillips, Billy Scott, Billy Smith, Blake Metcalfe, Bronson Garlick, Callum Bowles, Cameron Kanaan, Campbell Graham, Canberra, Canberra Raiders, Casey McLean, Charlie Guymer, Charlie Murray, Chevy Stewart, chief ends rule, Connor Watson, Cooper Bai, Cooper Clarke, Corey Horsburgh, Corey Waddell, Craig Bellamy, Cronulla Sharks, Da Silva, Daine Laurie, Daly Cherry-Evans, Daniel Tupou, David Fifita, Dean Ieremia, Dogs reveal, Dylan Edwards, Eli Morris, eligibility overhaul, eligibility rules, Elijah Keung, Elijah McKay, Elijah Rasmussen, Erin Clark, Ethan Alaia, Ethan Sanders, Felise Kaufusi, final trial, final trial game, Francis Molo, game ban, Gold Coast, Gold Coast Titans, halves combination, halves combo, halves dilemma, Harrison Hassett, Harry Armstrong, Heath Mason, Hugo Peel, Hugo Savala, Isaah Yeo, Isaiah Scanlan, J’maine, Jack Attard, Jack Cogger, Jack Hetherington, Jack Thompson, Jackson Stewart, Jahrome Hughes, Jake Elliott, Jake Tago, Jamal Fogarty, James Tedesco, Jamie Humphreys, Jared Haywood, Jarome Luai, Jason Ryles, Javon Andrews, jaw injury, Jaxen Edgar, Jaxson Allen, Jay Kirk, Jayden Campbell, Jaylan De Groot, Jed Stuart, Jesse Colquhoun, Jesse McLean, Jesse Rafferty, Jock Madden, Joey Tramontana, Joey Walsh, John Radel, Jonah Glover, Jonah Pezet, Jordi Mazzone, Joseph Roddy, Josese Lanyon, Josh Hannay, Josh Papalii, Josh Ruxton, Kaeo Weekes, Kain Anderson, Kalani Going, knee injuries, knee injury, Kristian Dixon, Kurt Capewell, Kurtis Morrin, Kyle Pickering, Lachlan Ilias, Latrell Mitchell, Latrell Siegwalt, Lee, Lewis Symonds, Liam Williams, Lindsay Smith, Logan Deininger, Luke Brooks, Luke Cesari, Luke Garner, Luke Hanson, Luke Jack, Luke Sommerton, Malachi Smith, Manly Sea Eagles, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Matt Doorey, Matt Nicholson, Matthew Humphries, Matthew Milson, Max Bradbury, Max Mccarthy, Max Plath, Melbourne Storm, Mitch Kenny, Mitchell Moses, Myles Martin, New Zealand, New Zealand Warriors, Nick Murphy, Noah Fien, Oceania, Oliver Lawry, Oliver Lester, Origin eligibility, Origin eligibility shake-up, Owen Pattie, Patrick Herbert, Paul Bryan, Penrith Panthers, Pharrell Gray, Preston Conn, Queensland, Reece Foley, Riley Jones, Riley Pollard, Robert Toia, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Ronald Volkman, Royce Hunt, ruthless overhaul sparks, Ryley Smith, Sam Walker, Samuel Stonestreet, Schneider, Scott Sorensen, Sean Keppie, Sean Russell, season opener, Sebastian Kris, Sebastian Su, shoulder injury, Siua Wong, South Sydney Rabbitohs, spine signings, star spine recruits, Stowers-Smith, strength side, Tanah Boyd, Team Tips, Thomas Dellow, Thomas Flegler, Thomas Fletcher, Thomas Hazelton, Tobias Crosby, Toby Batten, Toby Rodwell, Toby Rudolf, Tom Gilbert, Tom Summer, Tommy Talau, Tony Francis, Tony Sukkar, Trent Loiero, trial game, Tristan Hope, Tyler Melrose, Wayde Egan, Wayne Bennett, Wests Tigers, William Craig, William Kennedy, Xavier Cacciotti, Zac Hosking, Zealand Warriors

Web Analytics