Your possible round 1 team.

[Rich102]

I will kick off with:

1. CNK. I like Tuapiki but I have to stick with what works.
2. Khan Pereira. Speed. And likely to spend some time in the position.
3. Berry. Due for a good season.
4. Pompey.
5. RTS.
6. CHT.
7. Metcalf. If not fit yet Boyd.
8. Barnett. if not fit yet
9. Egan
10. JFH
11. Halasima
12. Capewell.
13. Clark.

14. Healey
15. Ford
16 Niokure
17. Vaimauga

 

[Matua]

Mine (journeyman Aussies need not apply, I'm backing the NZ young guns):

1. RTS - we have our best fullback wasted on the wing.
2. Khan Pereira
3. Ali
4. Pompey
5. Tuaupiki
6. CHT
7. TMM - I assume Metcalf isn't fit.
8. Barnett
9. Egan
10. JFH
11. Leka
12. Laban
13. Clark

14. Healy
15. CNK - it's my plan to turn him into a loose forward. Makes a handy back replacement on the bench too.
16. Vaimauga
17. Stowers Smith

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Yoohoo I am keen on getting into this sort of thing. I'm going to post two - one that I think it will be, and one I want it to be

Webby's XVII: 1. CNK 2. AKP 3. Berry 4. Pompey 5. RTS 6. CHT 7. Boyd 8. JFH 9. Egan 10. Beastnett 11. Leka 12. Capewell 13. Clark 14. TMM 15. Ford 16. Niukore 17. Vaimauga

My XVII: 1. TT 2. AKP 3. Leiataua 4. Pompey 5. RTS 6. CHT 7. TMM 8. JFH 9. Egan 10. Barnett 11. Leka 12. Laban 13. Clark 14. Healey 15. EIT. 16 Vaimauga 17. TSS

To me, EIT has to play. He's an out and out gun. I know that's a lot of young forwards in Leka, Laban, EIT, Demetric, TSS and to be honest probably too many, but we have such a uniquely talented bunch of guys and I'd love to see them given a crack early season with enthusiasm.

Ali>Berry to me but both have a huge question mark over them for 2026.

I'd like to see Healey on the bench, pushing Egan to be at his best and also giving Wayde a rest from the grind. TMM>Boyd to me (Boyd showed he isn't a big moment guy last year) but the coach seems to back Boyd.

Is the 6-man bench (and using 4) in play this year or only mooted?

 

[Penrose Warrior]

I think I read somewhere that Barnett may be good to go for round 1, but Metcalf is round 5-6 sort of thing.

 

[Matua]

Yoohoo I am keen on getting into this sort of thing. I'm going to post two - one that I think it will be, and one I want it to be

Webby's XVII: 1. CNK 2. AKP 3. Berry 4. Pompey 5. RTS 6. CHT 7. Boyd 8. JFH 9. Egan 10. Beastnett 11. Leka 12. Capewell 13. Clark 14. TMM 15. Ford 16. Niukore 17. Vaimauga

My XVII: 1. TT 2. AKP 3. Leiataua 4. Pompey 5. RTS 6. CHT 7. TMM 8. JFH 9. Egan 10. Barnett 11. Leka 12. Laban 13. Clark 14. Healey 15. EIT. 16 Vaimauga 17. TSS

To me, EIT has to play. He's an out and out gun. I know that's a lot of young forwards in Leka, Laban, EIT, Demetric, TSS and to be honest probably too many, but we have such a uniquely talented bunch of guys and I'd love to see them given a crack early season with enthusiasm.

Ali>Berry to me but both have a huge question mark over them for 2026.

I'd like to see Healey on the bench, pushing Egan to be at his best and also giving Wayde a rest from the grind. TMM>Boyd to me (Boyd showed he isn't a big moment guy last year) but the coach seems to back Boyd.

Is the 6-man bench (and using 4) in play this year or only mooted?

I didn't post a Webby's XVII but I agree with yours and our picks are pretty similar too.

 

[Rich102]

Only mooted at this stage I think.

 

[Ashburn]

Mine (journeyman Aussies need not apply, I'm backing the NZ young guns):

1. RTS - we have our best fullback wasted on the wing.
2. Khan Pereira
3. Ali
4. Pompey
5. Tuaupiki
6. CHT
7. TMM - I assume Metcalf isn't fit.
8. Barnett
9. Egan
10. JFH
11. Leka
12. Laban
13. Clark

14. Healy
15. CNK - it's my plan to turn him into a loose forward. Makes a handy back replacement on the bench too.
16. Vaimauga
17. Stowers Smith

Love ya starting 13 bra.

I think CHT & TMM are too similar of squad player. I think it’s time to cut CNK loose tbh

 

[Matua]

Love ya starting 13 bra.

I think CHT & TMM are too similar of squad player. I think it’s time to cut CNK loose tbh

Yeah I think CNK is done as fullback, but I really like his work effort/team man credentials etc and I think he could convert that into a hard working forward. He might fall off the odd tackle as he's getting used to the different style but hey we have a Capewell as a nailed on starter and he's usually in the top missed tackle list each year.

At any rate, I don't think he'll be cut loose as Webby loves him.

 

[Big Marn]

1. CNK.
2. Khan Pereira. Speed. Someone teach him to defend better than that other fella with the perm.
3. Ali L - Berry cant be trusted to stay fit. Ali not much better in that respect but gets the nod
4. Pompey. Mr Vanilla/reliable? not the gun we need tho
5. RTS. The eternal conundrum. Back at FB looks best but cant see Webby pulling the trigger unless CNK injured
6. TMM
7. Metcalf. If not fit yet Boyd.
8. Barnett. if not fit yet then Vaumauga
9. Egan -- Healey to take over the starting position halfway through the season if all goes well.
10. JFH - starting on reputation. Need to see more
11. Halasima - please go to the next level
12. Capewell. - Replaced by Laban or EIT as the season progresses due to form we hope
13. Clark. - please back up last year with another great shift.

14. Healey
15. Gannon - Rolling the dice that Gannon is a 80min player. says he prides himself on D. Take Fords spot and dont get injured!!
16 TSS
17. Vaimauga
18 CHT
19 TT

Applying the new rule, where theres 6 on the bench. TT and CHT the backups for the specialist playmaker positions.
No room for Niukore or Ford in my team.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Ah yes, forgot about Gannon… club seems to be expecting big things from him based on Cappy’s comments last year. Be interesting to see how he goes.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Ah yes, forgot about Gannon… club seems to be expecting big things from him based on Cappy’s comments last year. Be interesting to see how he goes.

Yeah I did too, brought in as a ball player. Bit of a logjam for back row spots, someone that thought they'd be in the mix will be playing NSW Cup. I hope it's either Niukore or he's pulled finger this year. Definitely don't want EIT playing ressies, he is a jet.

 

[Izz]

Definitely don't want EIT playing ressies, he is a jet.

I've heard whispers that the plan is to turn EIT into a middle this year. Ford-type motor but with much more upside.

Have also heard whispers that Clark might transition to a prop role if Gannon progresses well - think Leniu-type bench impact

 

[Penrose Warrior]

I've heard whispers that the plan is to turn EIT into a middle this year. Ford-type motor but with much more upside.

Have also heard whispers that Clark might transition to a prop role if Gannon progresses well - think Leniu-type bench impact

Love all this. I think both are capable of playing in the middle, Clark had a ridiculous motor last year with the metres he made and tackles he was getting through. And EIT looks like he could do the same.

 

[Grizzman]

For those of you who are writing off CHT for the #6 jersey forget that last year he was among the top ten for try assists in the NRL and was one of, if not the best, defensive #6 in the Comp . As I have said before, he is the perfect foil for a dynamic half and he performs the #6 role really well. His kicking game has also improved enormously. It needs to be remembered, that when he's struggled is when he's been forced to take on 6 and 7 roles at the same time. Still our best 6.

 

[Ashburn]

For those of you who are writing off CHT for the #6 jersey forget that last year he was among the top ten for try assists in the NRL and was one of, if not the best, defensive #6 in the Comp . As I have said before, he is the perfect foil for a dynamic half and he performs the #6 role really well. His kicking game has also improved enormously. It needs to be remembered, that when he's struggled is when he's been forced to take on 6 and 7 roles at the same time. Still our best 6.

Agreed. Big fan of CHT

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Not sure i'd be too keen on changing up the game plan with Clarke.
He was SOOO good for us!

 

[Matua]

Not sure i'd be too keen on changing up the game plan with Clarke.
He was SOOO good for us!

Yep, and it does make me nervous that rather than have actual middle forwards Webby wants to create them from backrowers.

For those of you who are writing off CHT for the #6 jersey forget that last year he was among the top ten for try assists in the NRL and was one of, if not the best, defensive #6 in the Comp . As I have said before, he is the perfect foil for a dynamic half and he performs the #6 role really well. His kicking game has also improved enormously. It needs to be remembered, that when he's struggled is when he's been forced to take on 6 and 7 roles at the same time. Still our best 6.

I prefer TMM whose never really had a chance as a 6 under Webby, but agree CHT had a cracking season last year. And I expect him to be starting this year. But, I think he'd make a decent ball playing loose forward. Not sure I agree on the kicking game, he had a couple of skewed kicks last year that actually worked out really well (like the one he ran through and caught) but I think like most NZ halves his kicking is average. Weird that we don't have any big kickers, that's who we should be trying to pick up in schoolboy rugby.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Saw CHT at the supermarket on the weekend. Very large biceps, you forget how jacked these blokes are compared to regular civilians. Anyway, that's my contribution.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Saw CHT at the supermarket on the weekend. Very large biceps, you forget how jacked these blokes are compared to regular civilians. Anyway, that's my contribution.

My 8 year old daughter has a crush on him.

I thought this would be an issue for me as a father, but she wants to go to every home game, so I guess it's like having a son in law who plays golf. There's advantages.

 

[Izz]

Not going to throw a R1 team out there, but will throw out some possible 2026 smokeys (not to make rd1, but to debut sometime during the year):

Caelys- Paul Putoko: will probably start in Flegg as he still only 20 y/o but might be in NSW Cup from the get-go. Represented the Cooks in the Pacific Champs and did well. Primarily a centre but can play fullback, wing, 5/8. Seems like he has good footy IQ too.

Jeremiah Lemana - will start in SG ball as is only 17 y/o, but I think the club sees him as longterm fullback. Was given a train & trial with NRL squad. Electric pace and lots of skill to go with it. Is progressing fast, by all accounts. Kinda has Leka vibes to me

Jason Salalilo - 20 y/o. Prop. Played in both NSW Cup final and State Championship final last season and was recently signed by club until 2028, with 2028 apparently being a top 30 deal.

Luke Hansen - club has held onto him, despite our depth in the halves. Good chance of him debuting before Jett imo