NRL Witzer Pre-Season Challenge: Round 2 Team Lists Confirmed as Trials Heat Up

Round 2 team lists confirmed. The NRL Witzer Pre-Season Challenge is gathering momentum. Sixteen matches across three weeks. Four double-header matchdays. Clubs are sharpening up for the season proper.

Round 1 Recap

Round 1 delivered. Established stars finding their rhythm. Young guns staking claims for Round 1 selection.

The headline clash: North Queensland Cowboys built a commanding 28-0 lead before surviving a spirited Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs fightback to win 34-30. Jake Clifford pulled the strings in the first half. The Bulldogs’ reserves showed tremendous character — five tries in the second half, nearly pulling off an improbable comeback.

What to Watch in Round 2

Round 2 continues the series of trial matches that give coaches their final opportunities to assess players before finalising their squads. Key storylines include:

• Las Vegas preparation: The Bulldogs and Dragons are both preparing for the historic NRL season opener in Las Vegas on February 28, making their pre-season performances particularly significant.
• Young guns pushing for spots: Pre-season trials remain the best opportunity for fringe players to force their way into Round 1 squads.
• Injury monitoring: Coaches will be carefully managing workloads to ensure key players arrive at the season opener in peak condition.

Pre-Season Challenge Format

The NRL Witzer Pre-Season Challenge runs three rounds across February. Each team plays at least two trial matches before the season proper. Matches are played over four 20-minute quarters with unlimited interchange — allowing coaches to rotate their full squad. Results do not count towards the official premiership ladder but carry significant weight in selection decisions.

Season Opener: Las Vegas

The 2026 NRL season begins with a blockbuster opening round in Las Vegas on February 28. The Bulldogs and Dragons under the lights at the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium. These pre-season trials serve as critical preparation for what promises to be one of the most anticipated season openers in NRL history.

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