My Round 1 Team List vs. Coach Websters likely picks.

[Wheeled Warrior]

Not long to go for trials and the start of our rebuilding season. Showing my preferred picks for Round 1 vs the most likely picks our coach will select.

Showing age and no.of games each individual brings to the table March 2nd.

The obvious elephant in the room is we need to instill more youth this season to build this team into a competitive / successful one. Harris and SJ retiring is a blessing in disguise to get our extended squad a chance to develop.

My picks.

01: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. 31/213 g.
02. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. 29/212 g.
03: Ali Leiataua. 22/7 g.
04: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. 29/113 g.
05: Moala Taufa-Graham. 23/4 g.
06: Te Maire-Martin. 29/93 g.
07: Luke Metcalf. 26/26 g.
08: James Fisher-Harris. 29/200 g.
09: Wayde Egan. 27/129 g.
10: Mitchell Barnett. 30/166 g.
11: Marata Niukore. 28/132 g
12: Kurt Capewell. 31/157 g.
13: Dylan Walker. 30/229 g.

14: Erin Clark. 27/95 g.
15: Demitric Vaimauga. 21/7 g.
16: Tom Ale. 25/41 g.
17: Jacob Laban. 20/7 g.

18. Leka Halasima. 19/4 g.

Coach Webby's likely picks:

01: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. 29/113 g.
02. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. 29/212 g.
03: Rocco Berry. 23/43 g.
04: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. 31/213 g.
05: Edward Kosi. 26/32 g.
06: Luke Metcalf. 26/26 g.
07: Te Maire-Martin. 29/93 g.
08: James Fisher-Harris. 29/200 g.
09: Wayde Egan. 27/129 g.
10: Mitchell Barnett. 30/166 g.
11: Jackson Ford. 27/76 g.
12: Kurt Capewell. 31/157 g.
13: Dylan Walker. 30/229 g.

14: Erin Clark. 27/95 g.
15: Demitric Vaimauga. 21/7 g.
16: Tom Ale. 25/41 g.
17: Marata Niukore. 28/132 g

18. Leka Halasima. 19/4 g.

 

[JJ]

I like your team better, although I think Ford should be there… and Niukore needs to step up

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

I like your team better, although I think Ford should be there… and Niukore needs to step up

Niukore had a bad year but my understanding is he was battling his injuries and confidence looked low. I think he would do better starting fresh and playing more games to get that momentum back. A whole lot of the squad fell off like Marata in 2024.

Are you a Rocco Berry fan? As I think both Berry and Ford are Webby's favorites. I'm more unsure with Berry being picked over Ford tbh, I know this would be an unpopular opinion as a few have been Berry fanatics in this forum.

 

[Matua]

An in-form Niukore is way better than the plod Ford.

@Wheeled Warrior I'm genuinely interested in why you think Metcalf will make a good 7. In his games for us he's looked like nothing more than a running 6. Have you seen lower grade matches where he's shown the ability to lead a team around the park?

 

[JJ]

Niukore had a bad year but my understanding is he was battling his injuries and confidence looked low. I think he would do better starting fresh and playing more games to get that momentum back. A whole lot of the squad fell off like Marata in 2024.

Are you a Rocco Berry fan? As I think both Berry and Ford are Webby's favorites. I'm more unsure with Berry being picked over Ford tbh, I know this would be an unpopular opinion as a few have been Berry fanatics in this forum.

Not saying I’m a Ford fan, but he can do a job, and has a good engine…. Need done balance in the pack, hopefully Niukore goes better, but he’s no world beater either

I’d like to be a Berry fan, but not so much

 

[JJ]

An in-form Niukore is way better than the plod Ford.

@Wheeled Warrior I'm genuinely interested in why you think Metcalf will make a good 7. In his games for us he's looked like nothing more than a running 6. Have you seen lower grade matches where he's shown the ability to lead a team around the park?

A traditional game owning 7 is what we need, and don’t have ….

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

An in-form Niukore is way better than the plod Ford.

@Wheeled Warrior I'm genuinely interested in why you think Metcalf will make a good 7. In his games for us he's looked like nothing more than a running 6. Have you seen lower grade matches where he's shown the ability to lead a team around the park?

Metcalf's speed is something that attracts me about him moving to the 7. I think you'd have to be a better defender at 6 and I think TMM has that over him. There isn't much to the roles and numbers I guess in todays modern game and none of our current halves are a main playmaker so they could mix it up on calling the shots for set moves.

Man we really are going through a rebuild. Our halves still have yet to make their mark in the NRL. I'm happy with our forwards. It's the spine that's not that appealing yet

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

A traditional game owning 7 is what we need, and don’t have ….

Do you know where we could get one? I know the NRL halves are all locked up for 2025. Dylan Brown isn't the answer for 2026 either. Anyone worth to watch for in the ESL?

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Not saying I’m a Ford fan, but he can do a job, and has a good engine…. Need done balance in the pack, hopefully Niukore goes better, but he’s no world beater either

I’d like to be a Berry fan, but not so much

Yeah on Ford he managed to lower his errors and penalties from 2023. He was one of the improvers in our 2024 campaign.

 

[Matua]

Metcalf's speed is something that attracts me about him moving to the 7. I think you'd have to be a better defender at 6 and I think TMM has that over him. There isn't much to the roles and numbers I guess in todays modern game and none of our current halves are a main playmaker so they could mix it up on calling the shots for set moves.

Man we really are going through a rebuild. Our halves still have yet to make their mark in the NRL. I'm happy with our forwards. It's the spine that's not that appealing yet

So you thumbs'up JJ's post about us needing a traditional play making half yet you're reasoning for advocating for Metcalf is because he runs fast.

Well, I have to say I guess we'll have to agree to disagree because I can't wrap my head around your reasoning.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

So you thumbs'up JJ's post about us needing a traditional play making half yet you're reasoning for advocating for Metcalf is because he runs fast.

Well, I have to say I guess we'll have to agree to disagree because I can't wrap my head around your reasoning.

I have chosen Metcalf because I don't rate our halves options at the moment.
None of them are dominant playmakers. TMM is included in that.
I liked JJ's post because he is obviously correct, however we know there is no halves to come to us in 2025 that would fit that mould so here we with 4 average options. I just like the one with speed. Speed is something that could benefit us if Luke remains injury free.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Metcalf's speed is something that attracts me about him moving to the 7. I think you'd have to be a better defender at 6 and I think TMM has that over him. There isn't much to the roles and numbers I guess in todays modern game and none of our current halves are a main playmaker so they could mix it up on calling the shots for set moves.

Man we really are going through a rebuild. Our halves still have yet to make their mark in the NRL. I'm happy with our forwards. It's the spine that's not that appealing yet

Yea I think we all agree halves is a major question mark.

Metcalf has shown glimpse of ability but hasnt had to drive the team so who knows if he's up to that. TMM had a good patch last year before injury (as we belatedly found out) stalled his progress, and fk me I have no idea what Boyd will bring. But at least he's played a fair bit of 7 and can kick goals.

Hopefully they've all had good off seasons, but for me its almost a coin toss between all 3 as to who plays where. May as well give em all a crack and see who stands up.

Id like to see CHT groomed for the 13 role though. Posted last year I think he's got potential there (if he adds a bit of size) and with Tohu now gone, I think it's worth investing in him.

 

[Meth]

I'm not quite ready to pick a 1-7 yet. I haven't settled on RTS/CNK/Tauipiki yet.

I don't know who takes Montoya's spot on the wing, although I'm sure anything will be an improvement.

I want to see Berry/Leiataua in the centres (which makes the RTS/CNK/Tauipiki all the more difficult). In saying that, I could live with Berry needing to break his way in, as he was poor during limited chances last year. Leiataua is the guy I want to see locked in. I think I'd rather have CNK in the centres than RTS.

Metcalf at 6, Martin at 7. Boyd is a depth signing (and I'm not sure a particularly good one)

I'm a little more settled with 8-17

8- Fisher Harris
9- Egan
10- Barnett
11- Laban
12- Capewell
13- Walker

Res- Harris Tavita, Niukore, Halasima, Vaimauga

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Has there ever been a season where it's been harder to predict the round 1 line up? You could literally get 1-7 wrong, and that's without any injuries.

The only ones I'd bet the house on are JFH, Capewell, Barnett and Egan. You figure Niukore will be on the other edge but hasn't really earned it, and Walker is a great chance for 13.

 

[Meth]

Has there ever been a season where it's been harder to predict the round 1 line up? You could literally get 1-7 wrong, and that's without any injuries.

The only ones I'd bet the house on are JFH, Capewell, Barnett and Egan. You figure Niukore will be on the other edge but hasn't really earned it, and Walker is a great chance for 13.

after my doubt around the strategy to play Niukore in the middle last year, I’d say I’d see him there this year to free up space for Laban and Halasima

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

I’m not a Laban fan myself. I remember more than a few occasions last season where he got shown up on def due to a lack of fitness.

Unless he’s had a massive offseason I’d rather Niukore be given first shot at living up to his pay packet.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

I’m not a Laban fan myself. I remember more than a few occasions last season where he got shown up on def due to a lack of fitness.

Unless he’s had a massive offseason I’d rather Niukore be given first shot at living up to his pay packet.

On Laban's fitness last year he was mentioned by a few Warriors that he had the best preseason and was training the house down. I put it down to just getting used to the demands of first grade. I'm sure he will get up to standards, I also see him as future captain for us.