Newcastle Rugby League has today announced an initial 20-man Gripstar Socks Newcastle Rebels squad for their 2026 NSWRL Men’s Country Championship campaign. The squad will assemble for training from Monday and contains a mix of players that have regularly been part of the Rebels squad over the past three seasons and players that will be in Rebels colours for the first time.
Matt Soper-Lawler will captain the squad with Justin Afflick, Connor Cromarty, Ryan Glanville, Jake Goodwin, Lachlan O’Brien, Liam Wilkinson and Liam Wiscombe all returning from last year’s Championship winning side. Luke Huth returns in 2026 after sitting out the 2025 campaign. Former NRL and Super League star, and Fijian International Kevin Naiqama, now with the Western Suburbs Rosellas joins the squad as in among 11 first time starters. The full squad is:
On naming Soper-Lawler as the captain, Rebels coach Garth Brennan said:
“Matt has accomplished everything in the local competition and played for Country. He is a great leader on and off the field.”
Further, on the squad Brennan added:
“This is a quality squad with a mix of players who have been part of previous campaigns and some exciting new blood who get an opportunity to play at representative level for the first time based on their exceptional form in the Denton Cup.”
The Rebels will play a trial against the Glebe Dirty Reds Ron Massey Cup squad on 21st February, where there will be some additional spots in the squad up for grabs. The Rebels have a bye in the first round of the Country Championships and will play their first competition match on 7th March at Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan, against the winner of the round one match between the Monaro Colts and Riverina Bulls.
