Quick Read
- Payne Haas is sidelined with a shoulder injury, forcing a reshuffle in the Broncos starting pack.
- Luke Metcalf makes an early return from an ACL injury to bolster the Warriors’ five-eighth position.
- New interchange rules now require coaches to manage a six-man bench with only four allowed to enter the game.
NRL Round 4 Team Lists: Strategic Shake-ups
The official team lists for Round 4 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership have been confirmed, ushering in a significant tactical shift as clubs adapt to new interchange regulations. Under the updated 2026 format, teams are now permitted to carry six players on the interchange bench, though only four are eligible to enter the field of play, forcing coaches to make critical decisions 90 minutes before kick-off.
Broncos Face Injury Crisis
The Brisbane Broncos have been dealt a major blow ahead of their clash with the Dolphins, with star prop Payne Haas ruled out due to a shoulder injury. In his absence, Xavier Willison has been named to start at prop. On a positive note for Brisbane, captain Adam Reynolds returns to the side after missing the previous round with a rib injury, pushing Ben Hunt into the utility role. The shift at Suncorp Stadium is critical for a Broncos side looking to reclaim early-season momentum.
Metcalf Returns for Warriors
The Warriors have received a significant boost with the return of Luke Metcalf, who has been named to start at five-eighth earlier than expected following his Round 17 ACL injury from last season. Metcalf’s inclusion is part of a broader reinforcement for the Warriors, who also welcome back Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Chanel Harris-Tavita from concussion protocols. These returns come as the league navigates a complex round, highlighted by the South Sydney Rabbitohs entering their bye week.
The implementation of the six-man interchange bench combined with high-profile injury management marks a decisive strategic phase in the 2026 season, where squad depth and tactical flexibility will likely determine the trajectory of clubs struggling for consistency in the early rounds.