<p>Last week was just a taste test, with two trials being played to kick start the 2026 NRL Pre-Season Challenge.</p> <p>This is where the real party starts. Week 2 of the 2026 NRL Pre-Season Challenge features all but one of the teams in the NRL, with only the Brisbane Broncos sitting out as they prepare to travel to England for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/world-club-challenge/hull-kr-v-brisbane-broncos-10134068">World Club Challenge</a>.</p> <p>The second round of the NRL Pre-Season Challenge will also feature the latest installment of the Charity Shield between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons.</p> <p>In addition to all this pre-season action, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/predictions/maori-vs-indigenous-all-stars-tips-2026">Māori All Stars vs Indigenous All Stars</a> is also on this weekend.</p> <p>This is a footy fiesta not to be missed, as teams get valuable minutes in the legs ahead of what is sure to be a spellbinding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl-futures-multi-hub/nrl-grand-final-winner-2026-9699133">2026 NRL season</a>.</p> <p>For the latest news, odds and analysis ahead of what is sure to be an action packed weekend, check out our NRL Pre-season Challenge Week 2 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Dolphins vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, February 12, 8:00pm AEDT – Kayo Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>An all-Queensland affair kickstarts Week 2 of NRL Pre-season Challenge as the Gold Coast Titans head down the M1 to take on The Dolphins at Kayo Stadium.</p> <p>This will be Josh Hannay’s first game in charge of the Titans and his first as a full-time NRL coach.</p> <p>We’re big believers in the new manager bounce around here and are backing Hannay to get his combinations right from jump and taste victory in his maiden outing as Titans’ boss.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/pre-season-challenge/dolphins-v-gold-coast-titans-10143394">Gold Coast Titans.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Selwyn Cobbo first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, February 13, 5:30pm AEDT – Seiffert Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What an absolute Friday night delight we have here. Two of last season’s heavy hitters will trade blows at Seiffert Oval when the Canberra Raiders take on the Melbourne Storm.</p> <p>There’s been plenty of change in the Victorian capital this offseason, so it will be interesting to see how Craig Bellamy approaches this one.</p> <p>The biggest question is who will take Ryan Papenhuyzen’s vacant fullback jersey? As Bellamy looks to answer that question, we could see livewire Sua Fa'alogo get some serious minutes at the back here.</p> <p>That’s bad news for the Raiders, so is the fact that the Storm simply don’t have that many reserve players to choose from, which might force them to send out their stars and subsequently blow an experimental Canberra outfit off the park.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/pre-season-challenge/canberra-raiders-v-melbourne-storm-10143430">Melbourne Storm.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: Under total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, February 13, 8:00pm AEDT – BB Print Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Fresh from a thrilling 34-30 victory over the Bulldogs, the North Queensland Cowboys return to Mackay to face the Penrith Panthers.</p> <p>The Cowboys’ attack looked sharp in Week 1, with halfback Jake Clifford orchestrating proceedings with three try assists.</p> <p>With the cobwebs already dusted off and their combinations already clicking, we’ll be riding with the Cowboys here to take advantage of what is sure to be a rusty Panthers outfit.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/pre-season-challenge/nth-queensland-cowboys-v-penrith-panthers-10143475">North Queensland Cowboys.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Heilum Luki anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, February 14, 1:40pm AEDT – McLean Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Wahs welcome Manly to McLean Park on Saturday as life after Cherry-Evans officially begins for the Sea Eagles.</p> <p>For the first time in 13 years Manly will start a season without their talisman on the books after he defected to the Chooks at the end of last year.</p> <p>No doubt they’ll use this game to test out some new combinations in and around the halves, but we do expect new recruit Jamal Fogarty to partner Luke Brooks come Round 1.</p> <p>Not a lot to go off here, so we’re putting our faith in home ground advantage and backing the Warriors.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/pre-season-challenge/new-zealand-warriors-v-manly-sea-eagles-10143519">New Zealand Warriors.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Roger Tuivasa-Sheck first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wests Tigers vs Sydney Roosters Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, February 14, 3:50pm AEDT – McDonald Jones Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The first game of Saturday’s double header at McDonald Jones Stadium sees the Tigers take on the Roosters.</p> <p>Muscle memory is kicking in here and we just can’t seem to pop the Tigers on our bet slips.</p> <p>It is a new year, and both of these teams will be unrecognisable from their usual setups as this is a trial, so truly anything could happen.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Still, does a Tiger ever change its stripes? That remains to be seen.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/pre-season-challenge/wests-tigers-v-sydney-roosters-10143414">Sydney Roosters.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Tommy Talau anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, February 14, 6:00pm AEDT – McDonald Jones Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Two teams who featured in the first week of the NRL Pre-Season Challenge will face off here.</p> <p>The Doggies went down in a 34-30 epic against North Queensland, while the Knights couldn’t slay the Dragons.</p> <p>Someone has to return to winning ways unless an unlikely draw transpires here. We’re going with the home side who were desperately unlucky last time out conceding what could be considered a number of flukey tries.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/pre-season-challenge/newcastle-knights-v-canterbury-bulldogs-10143457">Newcastle Knights.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Fletcher Sharpe first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, February 14, 8:10pm AEDT – WIN Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Fresh off <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/payne-haas-signs-for-south-sydney">announcing the signing of Payne Haas,</a> vibes will be high at the Rabbitohs ahead of their first hit out of 2026.</p> <p>Obviously, we won’t be seeing the game’s best prop in Red and Green until next year, let alone here, but there’s still plenty to look forward to here.</p> <p>This isn’t simply another pre-season game, as well as being part of the NRL’s Pre-Season Challenge this game also doubles as the latest instalment of the annual Charity Shield.</p> <p>We expect both sides to name relatively strong teams as this game carries a significant amount of importance to both sets of supporters.</p> <p>Young half Kade Reed shone for Saints in their win last week, so he could get another shot here. Still, we doubt his influence will be enough to offset Bennett’s Bunnies if they are near full strength.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/pre-season-challenge/st-george-illawarra-dragons-v-south-sydney-rabbitohs-10143492">South Sydney Rabbitohs.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Matt Dufty anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, February 15, 6:00pm AEDT – Henson Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Life after Dylan Brown and Zac Lomax starts here for the Parramatta Eels. They’ll meet the Sharks at Henson Park as they look to continue their electric end to last season.</p> <p>We could also see the first glimpse of loan signing Jonah Pezet in Blue and Gold. The young halfback is considered an elite prospect, and the Eels only have him for a year before he heads North to the Broncos.</p> <p>Therefore, we expect them to play him as much as humanly possible, starting here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/pre-season-challenge/cronulla-sharks-v-parramatta-eels-10143500">Parramatta Eels.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jonah Pezet anytime try scorer.&nbsp;</p>