Official team lists for Round 8 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership have been released, confirming the squads for the ANZAC Round clash between the Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The Wests Tigers will field Jahream Bula at fullback, with Sunia Turuva on the wing and Taylan May and Starford To’a in the centres. Luke Laulilii starts on the opposite wing, while Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi form the halves combination. The forward pack includes Terrell May and Fonua Pole as props, with Apisai Koroisau hooking. Samuela Fainu and Kai Pearce-Paul are named in the second row and Alex Twal starts at lock.
The Raiders have named Kaeo Weekes at fullback, flanked by wingers Sebastian Kris and Jed Stuart. Centre positions are filled by Simi Sasagi and Matthew Timoko, with Ethan Strange at five-eighth and Ethan Sanders at halfback. Ata Mariota starts at prop alongside Joseph Tapine, who serves as captain. Zac Hosking and Noah Martin are the second-rowers, with Corey Horsburgh locking up.
Both teams have confirmed their 19-man squads for the match, with six players named on the interchange bench. Under the new rules introduced for the 2026 season, teams may carry six interchange players but only four are permitted to take the field during play. Two players will be omitted from each squad 24 hours before kickoff, with the final 19 to be confirmed 90 minutes prior to the match.
Injury updates indicate that Wests Tigers players Jahream Bula (shoulder) and Adam Doueihi (leg) sustained knocks in their previous match against the Brisbane Broncos but have been cleared to play. Young Heamasi Makasini was replaced on the wing by Luke Laulilii following a disappointing performance, while Starford To’a returns to the centres after injury, with Patrick Herbet moving back to the bench.
For the Raiders, Hudson Young has been handed a two-week suspension by the Match Review Committee and will miss the next two fixtures. Prop Josh Papali’i remains sidelined with a calf injury expected to keep him out for multiple weeks, prompting the inclusion of Ata Mariota and Zac Hosking in the starting front row and second row respectively.
The match at Leichhardt Oval marks the opening fixture of the ANZAC Round, with the Wests Tigers hosting the Canberra Raiders. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:50pm AEST. The game will be broadcast on Fox League and Kayo Sports, with selected matches from the round also available on Nine Network and 9Now.
Elsewhere in Round 8, the Cronulla Sharks will face the North Queensland Cowboys on Friday night, while the Brisbane Broncos take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium. An ANZAC Day triple-header is headlined by the traditional St George Illawarra Dragons versus Sydney Roosters match at Allianz Stadium, followed by the Newcastle Knights hosting the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels taking on the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on Sunday.
The Gold Coast Titans have received a bye for Round 8 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership.