NRL Winger Power Rankings 2026: Joel's Top 5 heading into the season

Joel Johnston

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Fact Checked by Ryan Tucker

Last updated: Wed 07 Jan 2026 11:58

Joel Johnston 07 Jan 2026

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Modern NRL wingers require power, endurance, and defensive skills.
Brian To’o sets the standard with his metre generation and finishing ability.
Rising stars and seasoned players make the list, showcasing fierce competition.

Brian To'o of the Panthers. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Joel Johnston’s Top 5 NRL Wingers Heading Into 2026

The winger position has quietly become one of the most demanding roles in modern rugby league.

Joel Johnston’s Top 5 NRL Wingers Heading Into 2026
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters)
4. Josh Addo-Carr (Parramatta Eels)
3. Jacob Kiraz (Canterbury Bulldogs)
2. Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)
1. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)

It is no longer just about finishing tries in the corner. The best wingers now carry like forwards, defend under constant aerial pressure, and are expected to generate momentum from the toughest areas of the field. After breaking down the position on the League of Inches podcast, this is how I see the top five wingers shaping up heading into the 2026 NRL season.

This list reflects what the winger position has become.

Power, endurance, defensive reliability, and consistency now matter as much as raw speed or highlight plays. With players like Nawaqanitawase and Kiraz pushing hard from below, the competition at the top is fierce, but for now, Brian To’o remains the standard.

5. Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters)

Mark Nawaqanitawase’s rise in 2025 was nothing short of remarkable.

In barely a full season of rugby league with the Sydney Roosters, he announced himself as one of the most dangerous attacking weapons in the competition. His highlight reel alone would rival players with 10 years of NRL experience. The athleticism, balance, and finishing ability he showed week after week were extraordinary, and his try scoring output reflected that.

The reason he lands at five is not about potential. It is about polish. There are still parts of his defensive game that need work, particularly under the high ball and with decision making on his edge. That is not unusual for a player so new to the sport, especially one asked to move between centre and wing throughout the season.

If this ranking was based purely on attack, Nawaqanitawase would be much higher. With another full preseason and positional stability, he has every chance to climb this list quickly.

4. Josh Addo-Carr (Parramatta Eels)

Josh Addo-Carr’s 2025 season was one of the best examples of career reinvention in recent memory.

Many questioned whether the modern winger role still suited him. Instead, he responded with one of the strongest all-round seasons of his career. His speed returned, his work rate lifted, and his influence at Parramatta extended far beyond finishing tries.

What stood out most was how hard he worked in the tough carries. Addo-Carr consistently took early-set hit-ups, absorbed contact, and bounced back to his feet setting the tone for his side. That effort, combined with his leadership and energy, made him invaluable.

Add in a deserved return to representative football and it is clear he has found a second wind. At four, he sits just outside the elite tier, but few wingers bring the same combination of experience, pace, and presence.

3. Jacob Kiraz (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Jacob Kiraz is the winger coaches trust when they want control, effort, and reliability.

He does not rely on highlight moments. Instead, he produces relentless yardage, locks down his edge defensively, and repeatedly wins the physical battle. His post-contact metres and repeat efforts are among the best in the competition, and opposition wingers know they are in for a long night when matched up against him.

Injuries limited Kiraz’s availability at times in 2025 for the Canterbury Bulldogs, which likely caused him to fly under the radar. When fit, his value is obvious. He is durable, aggressive, and brutally effective in the unglamorous areas of the game.

If he strings together a full season, his standing in this conversation will only rise.

2. Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)

Xavier Coates has evolved into one of the most complete wingers in the NRL.

Over the past 18 months, his game has expanded well beyond finishing tries. His aerial dominance has forced rule clarifications. His yardage out of trouble has become a cornerstone of Melbourne’s game plan. His defensive reads continue to improve with experience.

What separates Coates is how often he influences games without needing perfect service. Whether it is bringing the ball back from deep, winning contested kicks, or scoring tries that few others could, he consistently bends matches in the Melbourne Storm’s favour.

Injury concerns once held him back, but a near full season in 2025 showed what he looks like when fit. On current form, he is as close to unstoppable as any winger in the competition.

1. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)

Brian To’o remains the gold standard.

There is no winger in the game who does more for his team across 80 minutes. His ability to generate metres from nothing, repeatedly win the first carry, and absorb contact sets the foundation for everything the Penrith Panthers do, working in tandem with Dylan Edwards at the back of Penrith's elite yardage machine.

What often gets overlooked is how effective To’o is as a finisher. When he gets space near the line, he is almost impossible to stop one-on-one. Combine that with his defensive reliability and elite work rate, and it is easy to see why he has redefined expectations for the position.

Even in an injury-interrupted 2025, his numbers remained elite. Fit and fresh heading into 2026, To’o is still the benchmark every winger is measured against.