Who do you want to play at fullback in 2025?

[vvvrulz]

Our bigger problem I feel is that our game plan just doesn't make much attacking use of our centres, there must be a way we can have all three of Tuaupiki, CNK and RTS in our backline to good effect. Right now centres are mostly tackle-bots and babysitters.

Toopi and Hurrell were centres who created bucket-loads of problems, I also think back to one of the Origin matches where Teddy was fullback and Latrell & Turbo were effectively fullbacks-lite / roaming centres, who were regularly in space with halves that were sniffing gaps.

We get that right, then I truly believe we can make the best of all worlds, I wouldn't be against:
1. Tuaupiki 2. DWZ 3/4. CNK & RTS 5. Montoya (or buy someone with proper wheels)

Metcalf and TMM are the obvious halves choices.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

It'd probably, or more so possibly work, but we need to give combinations a chance. Shit, that's been something that has gone horribly wrong this year. I remember the good old days of the Ivan Cleary teams that never changed.

 

[JJ]

Reality might be that there’s not room
for the three of them in the squad.

Guess I’m the anti Webster in my thinking, regardless of what CNK does I see more upside in RTS. Tuaupiki isn’t even in the discussion tbh … three first grade fullbacks is probably wasting a roster spot…. Buggering RTS around with different positions each week doesn’t help if they actually see him as a centre

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Someone said it before and I agree, we bought RTS because he was RTS, not because he was the player that fit our roster and what we were trying to do. At 30, learning a completely new position, we would have been much better off splashing money on someone who knew how to play centre. Yes, he's a Kiwi, great player, provides cover across the backline, but we need specialists - he is a FB, and we'd already decided we had one.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

What makes you think Metcalf at 7? Especially given TMM has a bunch of MoMs at 7?

I've chosen Metcalf at 7 because that's what he prefers. Whether it's 7 or 6, he has put his hand up to taking over goal-kicking, Webster will determine that in preseason. None of our current halves have shown a strong kicking game so far. Luke deserves an opportunity to show what he can bring to the table, depending on the direction they decide to take moving forward.

I do acknowledge TMM's creativity when it comes to off the cuff decisions in attack but still need that kicking game to pick up a few levels.

It's crucial that we develop a plan where both halves can get their hands on the ball and take control. After SJ, we lack a quality halfback who can organize the team effectively.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Tuaupiki isn’t even in the discussion tbh … three first grade fullbacks is probably wasting a roster spot….

Not hating on Tuaupiki at all but yeah. I would be stunned if he ever hit, say, 50 NRL games. I like him but I just don't see more than fringe NRL standard/back-up there, and he's already about to turn 25.

Feel free to bring this up in future when he finds his niche somewhere and starts racking up the games.