<p>The bright lights of Las Vegas are calling, but before&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/round-1">four of the NRL’s finest jet off to launch Season 2026 in Sin City</a>, there’s still one more round of pre-season fun to be had.</p> <p>That’s right, Week 3 of the NRL Pre-season Challenge needs to be played out to decide who will be crowned kings of the offseason for 2026.</p> <p>The Cowboys currently lead the congregation, having won both of their games, the most recent of which saw them run in 66 points against the Panthers.</p> <p>They can still be caught by a number of teams however and will have to hope their for and against holds, as each team only gets to play two games.</p> <p>Can anyone reel in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/newcastle-knights-v-nth-queensland-cowboys-9835591">Vegas-bound North Queenslanders?</a> Or will they roll into Sin City as Pre-season Challenge Champions?</p> <p>For the latest news, odds and analysis ahead the final round of offseason action, check out our NRL Pre-season Challenge Week 3 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Warriors vs The Dolphins Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, February 20, 6:00pm AEDT – Leichhardt Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Week 3 of the 2026 NRL Pre-Season Challenge kicks off with a double-header at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval.</p> <p>Neither the Warriors nor the Dolphins will be too ecstatic with the location of this one, but at least any potential home ground advantage is cancelled out on both sides.</p> <p>The Warriors will be without half Te Maire Martin who was injured in the All Stars clash just gone.</p> <p>He’ll be racing the clock to be fit for Round 1 now, adding to the Warriors already depleted playmaking stocks.</p> <p>To make matters worse, they were also blown off their own patch last start by the Sea Eagles.</p> <p>Looking at The Dolphins now and they were equally as disappointing at home in their first foray of 2026, despite naming a relatively strong side.</p> <p>The return and subsequent try of Thomas Flegler, who spent over a year on the sidelines with injury, the only real highlight for Kristian Woolf’s side.</p> <p>The Warriors at least had a decent number of their superstars on the sidelines in their loss, so as it stands, we think their ceiling is greater than that of their opponents this week.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong>New Zealand Warriors.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Ali Leiataua first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, February 20, 8:10pm AEDT – Leichhardt Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Panthers getting pumped and the Tigers romping the Roosters? Welcome to the wonderful world of pre-season.</p> <p>The second-string Panthers headed north last week to have 66 put on them by the Cowboys, however, don’t read too much into that result as there wasn’t a recognised first grader in sight for Ivan Cleary’s men.</p> <p>With this being their final trial before the regular season begins, we are anticipating a much stronger team to tread on the turf of Leichhardt come Friday night, one which will resemble something a lot closer to their Round 1 setup.</p> <p>This is only bad news for the Tigers, who will be hoping the home crowd can see them to victory here. However, if Penrith name anywhere near their full-strength squad, we can’t see the Tigers making it two from two to end their pre-season campaign.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> Penrith Panthers.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Over total match points.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, February 21, 3:50pm AEDT – Polytec Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Canberra were convincing in their win last week against an unrecognisable Storm squad and will be hoping to run it back against Cronulla this week.</p> <p>Daine Laurie looked decent in the No.7 jersey, as he put his name forward to be the man to replace Jamal Fogarty who has departed to the Sea Eagles.</p> <p>Young Chevy Stewart is another one who will be hoping for more game time in 2026, so keep an eye on him if he gets another crack at fullback here.</p> <p>The baby Sharks more resembled tadpoles against the Eels, as they were blown out of the water to the tune of 34 points by their amphibious counterparts.</p> <p>The first-grade reinforcements will need to come to the rescue in a big way for Cronulla, otherwise we could see more of the same here against the Raiders.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> Canberra Raiders.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Chevy Stewart anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, February 21, 6:00pm AEDT – Polytec Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Eels picked up where they left off at the back end of last season, turning in an electric display to shock the Sharks in their first hit out of 2026.</p> <p>New loan recruit Jonah Pezet more than held his own in the halves and should be the man to partner Mitch Moses this season.</p> <p>However, it was centre Sean Russell who stole the show for the Blue and Gold and he looks as if he could become the NRL’s newest strike weapon.</p> <p>The unrecognisable Roosters were competitive yet ultimately outclassed against the Tigers last start. Depending on who they choose to send out here will obviously have a large effect on the result, but as things stand, we think the Eels and Jason Ryles are onto something in 2026 and are backing them accordingly.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong>Parramatta Eels.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Sean Russell first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, February 21, 8:10pm AEDT – Sunshine Coast Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Is this the week we see a full-strength Storm? In particular livewire Sua Fa'alogo who will be looking to take Ryan Papenhuyzen’s vacant fullback jersey.</p> <p>If so, they should be able to see off the Titans with aplomb, despite the Gold Coast boys solid showing in Josh Hannay's first game in charge last week.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong>Melbourne Storm.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Sua Fa'alogo anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, February 22, 4:00pm AEDT – Glen Willow Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Are the Rabbitohs really good or are St George just that bad? Somehow a second-string Souths side defeated a near full-strength Dragons outfit to clinch the 2026 Charity Shield last week.</p> <p>While the Rabbitohs rookies were impressive across the board, one man, a veteran in this case, deserves extra credit for the Bunnies unbelievable win last start.</p> <p>In the span of 80 minutes new recruit Matt Dufty went from injury cover to potentially the Rabbitohs starting fullback with a scintillating display.</p> <p>His kick returns and ball-playing close to the line were particularly eye-catching, and he could be a real wildcard here and throughout the season for the Rabbitohs with the right players around him.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> South Sydney Rabbitohs.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Matt Dufty anytime try scorer.</p>