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Squad succession

the phantom menace

the phantom menace

Coach
Messages
16,306
hanging black and white GIF by A. L. Crego
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,410
Pizzant:

* = player option
¢ = club option
" = mutual option
^ = development contract

2025
Utility: Brown, Hands, Papalii, Samrani, Walker
Fullback: Iongi, Miller-Stephen (22)^
W/C: Addo-Carr, Dunster (26), Lomax, Renisini, Wenisini, Russell, Simonsson, Tago (26)^
Half: Hawkins, Moses
Hooker: Da Silva, Lussick (30), Smith^
Edge: Doorey, Guymer, Kautoga, Keir (27)^, Lane, Matterson, Tuilagi, Williams
Middle: Greig (26), Hopgood, Mataele, Moretti, Paulo, Pryke^, Tuivaiti

2026
Utility: Papalii, Samrani, Walker (32)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Addo-Carr (31), Lomax, Renisini (21), Wenisini (24), Russell (24), Simonsson
Half: Moses, Pezet (23), Talataina^, Volkman (24)
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith
Edge: Doorey (26), Funa-Iuta^, Guymer (22), Kautoga, Latu^, Matterson (32), Tuilagi (27), Williams
Middle: de Belin, Hopgood, Mataele (24), Moretti, Paulo (33), Pryke (22)^, Tuivaiti

2027
Utility: Papalii (23), Samrani (25)
Fullback: Iongi (24)
W/C: Lomax, Simonsson (29)
Half: Moses, Talataina^
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith (24)
Edge: Funa-Iuta (21), Kautoga (25), Latu (24), Williams (31)
Middle: de Belin¢ (36), Hopgood (28), Moretti (27), Tuivaiti (22)

2028
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: Lomax (29)
Half: Moses, Talataina (22)
Hooker: Da Silva
Edge: -
Middle: -

2029
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: Moses (35)
Hooker: Da Silva (24)
Edge: -
Middle: -

So we (somewhat officially) have 30 merkins in this year's top 30, and 27 in the 2026 squad.
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,410
Mat Duri:

* = player option
¢ = club option
" = mutual option
^ = development contract

2025
Utility: Brown, Hands, Papalii, Samrani, Walker
Fullback: Iongi, Miller-Stephen (22)^
W/C: Addo-Carr, Dunster (26), Lomax, Renisini, Wenisini, Russell, Simonsson, Tago (26)^
Half: Hawkins, Moses
Hooker: Da Silva, Lussick (30), Smith^
Edge: Doorey, Guymer, Kautoga, Keir (27)^, Lane, Matterson, Tuilagi, Williams
Middle: Greig (26), Hopgood, Mataele, Moretti, Paulo, Pryke^, Tuivaiti

2026
Utility: Papalii, Samrani, Walker (32)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Addo-Carr (31), Lomax, Renisini (21), Wenisini (24), Russell (24), Simonsson
Half: Moses, Pezet (23), Talataina^, Volkman (24)
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith
Edge: Doorey, Funa-Iuta^, Guymer (22), Kautoga, Latu^, Matterson (32), Tuilagi (27), Williams
Middle: de Belin, Hopgood, Mataele (24), Moretti, Paulo (33), Pryke (22)^, Tuivaiti

2027
Utility: Papalii (23), Samrani (25)
Fullback: Iongi (24)
W/C: Lomax, Simonsson (29)
Half: Moses, Talataina^
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith (24)
Edge: Doorey (27), Funa-Iuta (21), Kautoga (25), Latu (24), Williams (31)
Middle: de Belin¢ (36), Hopgood (28), Moretti (27), Tuivaiti (22)

2028
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: Lomax (29)
Half: Moses, Talataina (22)
Hooker: Da Silva
Edge: -
Middle: -

2029
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: Moses (35)
Hooker: Da Silva (24)
Edge: -
Middle: -

So we (somewhat officially) have 30 merkins in this year's top 30, and 27 in the 2026 squad.
 
the phantom menace

the phantom menace

Coach
Messages
16,306
27, and three to go (or upgrade).

With continued uncertainty about Matterson... he'll stay and cash his PO cheque - why wouldn't he?

And continued uncertainty around Lomax and the R360 nonsense... I don't think we'd release him from 2026 contract until he is required for that in October 2026 - unless he just walks and gets paid as an r360 ambassador until then?

It's all very exciting - looking forward to tomorrow's update, when "this year" becomes 2026 🙂.
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,410
* = player option
¢ = club option
" = mutual option
^ = development contract

2026
Utility: Papalii, Samrani, Walker (32)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Addo-Carr (31), Lomax, Renisini (21), Wenisini (24), Russell (24), Simonsson
Half: Moses, Pezet (23), Talataina^, Volkman (24)
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith
Edge: Doorey, Funa-Iuta^, Guymer (22), Kautoga, Latu^, Matterson (32), Tuilagi (27), Williams
Middle: de Belin, Hopgood, Mataele (24), Moretti, Paulo (33), Pryke (22)^, Tuivaiti

2027
Utility: Papalii (23), Samrani (25)
Fullback: Iongi (24)
W/C: Lomax, Simonsson (29)
Half: Moses, Talataina^
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith (24)
Edge: Doorey (27), Funa-Iuta (21), Kautoga (25), Latu (24), Williams (31)
Middle: de Belin¢ (36), Hopgood (28), Moretti (27), Tuivaiti (22)

2028
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: Lomax (29)
Half: Moses, Talataina (22)
Hooker: Da Silva
Edge: -
Middle: -

2029
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: Moses (35)
Hooker: Da Silva (24)
Edge: -
Middle: -

So we (somewhat officially) have 27 merkins in next year's top 30, and 16 in the 2027 squad.
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,410
More like Nomax amirite:

* = player option
¢ = club option
" = mutual option
^ = development contract

2026
Utility: Papalii, Samrani, Walker (32)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Addo-Carr (31), Renisini (21), Wenisini (24), Russell (24), Simonsson
Half: Moses, Pezet (23), Talataina^, Volkman (24)
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith
Edge: Doorey, Funa-Iuta^, Guymer (22), Kautoga, Latu^, Matterson (32), Tuilagi (27), Williams
Middle: de Belin, Hopgood, Mataele (24), Moretti, Paulo (33), Pryke (22)^, Tuivaiti

2027
Utility: Papalii (23), Samrani (25)
Fullback: Iongi (24)
W/C: Simonsson (29)
Half: Moses, Talataina^
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith (24)
Edge: Doorey (27), Funa-Iuta (21), Kautoga (25), Latu (24), Williams (31)
Middle: de Belin¢ (36), Hopgood (28), Moretti (27), Tuivaiti (22)

2028
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C:
Half: Moses, Talataina (22)
Hooker: Da Silva
Edge: -
Middle: -

2029
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: Moses (35)
Hooker: Da Silva (24)
Edge: -
Middle: -

So we (somewhat officially) have 26 merkins in next year's top 30, and 15 in the 2027 squad.
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,410
JAC:

* = player option
¢ = club option
" = mutual option
^ = development contract

2026
Utility: Papalii, Samrani, Walker (32)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Addo-Carr, Renisini (21), Wenisini (24), Russell (24), Simonsson
Half: Moses, Pezet (23), Talataina^, Volkman (24)
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith
Edge: Doorey, Funa-Iuta^, Guymer (22), Kautoga, Latu^, Matterson (32), Tuilagi (27), Williams
Middle: de Belin, Hopgood, Mataele (24), Moretti, Paulo (33), Pryke (22)^, Tuivaiti

2027
Utility: Papalii (23), Samrani (25)
Fullback: Iongi (24)
W/C: Addo-Carr (32), Simonsson (29)
Half: Moses, Talataina^
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith (24)
Edge: Doorey (27), Funa-Iuta (21), Kautoga (25), Latu (24), Williams (31)
Middle: de Belin¢ (36), Hopgood (28), Moretti (27), Tuivaiti (22)

2028
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C:
Half: Moses, Talataina (22)
Hooker: Da Silva
Edge: -
Middle: -

2029
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: Moses (35)
Hooker: Da Silva (24)
Edge: -
Middle: -

So we (somewhat officially) have 26 merkins in next year's top 30, and 16 in the 2027 squad.
 
Chipmunk

Chipmunk

Coach
Messages
18,367
Poupou Escobar said:
* = player option
¢ = club option
" = mutual option
^ = development contract

2026
Utility: Papalii, Samrani, Walker (32)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Addo-Carr, Renisini (21), Wenisini (24), Russell (24), Simonsson
Half: Moses, Pezet (23), Talataina^, Volkman (24)
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith
Edge: Doorey, Funa-Iuta^, Guymer (22), Kautoga, Latu^, Matterson (32), Tuilagi (27), Williams
Middle: de Belin, Hopgood, Mataele (24), Moretti, Paulo (33), Pryke (22)^, Tuivaiti

So we (somewhat officially) have 26 merkins in next year's top 30, and 16 in the 2027 squad.
Click to expand...
Based on this, for 2026 we probably need an NRL quality outside back, and a back up dummy half and outside back as a minimum. Renisini and Simonsson are both too injury prone to consider as genuine NRL starting options.
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,410
II extends:

* = player option
¢ = club option
" = mutual option
^ = development contract

2026
Utility: Papalii, Samrani, Walker (32)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Addo-Carr, Renisini (21), Wenisini (24), Russell (24), Simonsson
Half: Moses, Pezet (23), Talataina^, Volkman (24)
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith
Edge: Doorey, Funa-Iuta^, Guymer (22), Kautoga, Latu^, Matterson (32), Tuilagi (27), Williams
Middle: de Belin, Hopgood, Mataele (24), Moretti, Paulo (33), Pryke (22)^, Tuivaiti

2027
Utility: Papalii (23), Samrani (25)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Addo-Carr (32), Simonsson (29)
Half: Moses, Talataina^
Hooker: Da Silva, Smith (24)
Edge: Doorey (27), Funa-Iuta (21), Kautoga (25), Latu (24), Williams (31)
Middle: de Belin¢ (36), Hopgood (28), Moretti (27), Tuivaiti (22)

2028
Utility: -
Fullback: Iongi
W/C:
Half: Moses, Talataina (22)
Hooker: Da Silva
Edge: -
Middle: -

2029
Utility: -
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: -
Half: Moses (35)
Hooker: Da Silva (24)
Edge: -
Middle: -

2030
Utility: -
Fullback: Iongi (27)
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge: -
Middle: -

So we (somewhat officially) have 26 merkins in next year's top 30, and 16 in the 2027 squad.
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,410
In the latest TCT interview, MON stated we have 27 currently in the top 30, so my guess is Tago probably is in the top 30, which puts him behind Samrani and probably Renisini. MON did also say we are looking to strengthen our outside backs.

He also said Fletcher is the fifth merkin in the development list, so we have room for one more there.
 
Grigor

Grigor

Juniors
Messages
324
Poupou Escobar said:
In the latest TCT interview, MON stated we have 27 currently in the top 30, so my guess is Tago probably is in the top 30, which puts him behind Samrani and probably Renisini. MON did also say we are looking to strengthen our outside backs.

He also said Fletcher is the fifth merkin in the development list, so we have room for one more there.
Click to expand...
Tago is top 30 next season (shakes head) but only contracted for next season
 
Grigor

Grigor

Juniors
Messages
324
Poupou Escobar said:
In the latest TCT interview, MON stated we have 27 currently in the top 30, so my guess is Tago probably is in the top 30, which puts him behind Samrani and probably Renisini. MON did also say we are looking to strengthen our outside backs.

He also said Fletcher is the fifth merkin in the development list, so we have room for one more there.
Click to expand...
Hey pou who else apart from Fletcher is in the development list ? Can they play nrl from round 1 ?
 
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