Round 11 of the 2026 NRL season saw all teams head to Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round and it included multiple highlights and lowlights.
Plus, New South Wales and Queensland have named their squads for the 2026 State of Origin series.
BULLDOGS TROUBLES CONTINUE
The troubles of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have continued, as they suffered their fifth consecutive loss over the weekend and produced another abysmal showing, losing 38-16 to the Cronulla Sharks.
While they have struggled in attack for several weeks and been unable to mount any try-scoring opportunities, it was their defence that was exposed once again as they conceded a whopping 30 points in the opening half.
Once known as the best defensive team in the competition, they looked completely distraught and out of confidence as the Sharks – led by halfback Nicho Hynes and the returning Ronaldo Mulitalo – took them apart piece by piece.
An outstanding try-saving effort from Puru in the final minute of the game! 🤯
Tackle of the Week thanks to Youi pic.twitter.com/G8fbYgtc5n
— NRL (@NRL) May 18, 2026
WARRIORS FORM CONTINUES BUT AT A COST
The New Zealand Warriors have remained in second place on the NRL ladder with a scintillating performance against last year’s premiership-winners, the Brisbane Broncos, on their home turf, Suncorp Stadium.
It took the Warriors only 12 minutes to open the scoring through Dallin Watene-Zelezniak before adding three more tries until the half-time break. They then crossed for another three tries as their opponents had no answer for the away side cheered on by their emphatic fans.
However, the win came at a cost with star halfback Tanah Boyd suffering a suspected ACL rupture, which, if confirmed, would rule him out for the remainder of the 2026 NRL season.
“There are some penalties that we will have to have a look at,” Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.
“There were things that were in our control, but it was 10 penalties to one at one stage. I want to make sure that it goes both ways.
“The bye (next week) has come at a time where we can look at our game and see where we need to improve, because two or three weeks ago things were in a better place.”
Plenty of magic inside the Westpac Red Zone! 🧙♂️ pic.twitter.com/nqNZwFAu4G
— NRL (@NRL) May 18, 2026
GAME 1 ORIGIN SQUADS NAMED
NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has named six new faces in his 20-man squad for the opening match of the 2026 Origin series.
James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos), Tolutau Koula (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders), Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights), Blayke Brailey (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders), Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers) and Dylan Lucas (Newcastle Knights).
QLD Maroons coach Billy Slater has named four new faces to make their Origin debut this year.
Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights), Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins), Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans), Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters), Thomas Flegler (Dolphins), Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans), Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys), Kurt Capewell (Warriors), Max Plath (Dolphins), Briton Nikora (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters), Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos), Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm), Ezra Mam (Brisbane Broncos), Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos) and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins)
Laurie Daley says James Tedesco’s surprise return for State of Origin One reflects the style of football the Blues want to play, as NSW looks to reclaim the shield with a revamped lineup. pic.twitter.com/xM23D8JyK1
— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) May 18, 2026