General Your 2025 team

[John Nick]

I'd be surprised if AW doesn't have the majority of the team already picked in his mind

Yes but it's up to the players to perform whether preseason or trials to impress and change his mind.
A lot of things can happen before round 1.
That's why we have trials

 

[WA Warrior]

I'd be surprised if AW doesn't have the majority of the team already picked in his mind

I don’t think he would be settled on:
Halves
Metcalf Yes CHT/Martin/Boyd?
Centres
Leiataua Yes RTS/Berry/Pompey
Wingers DWZ Yes ???????
14 CHT/Healy/Lussick etc???

 

[Inruin]

I don’t think he would be settled on:
Halves
Metcalf Yes CHT/Martin/Boyd?
Centres
Leiataua Yes RTS/Berry/Pompey
Wingers DWZ Yes ???????
14 CHT/Healy/Lussick etc???

For game 1, Halves are a maybe but yes I think Metcalf is locked in and I think he will go with TMM. Centres and wings he will have 3/4 set and the 4th will depend on fullback who more than likely will be CNK at 1. One second row spot is up for grabs though Healy won't be in the mix for first game unless we have injury worries.

Many of the players pick themselves and anyone thinking RTS will be playing cup in first round is delusional

 

[WA Warrior]

For game 1, Halves are a maybe but yes I think Metcalf is locked in and I think he will go with TMM. Centres and wings he will have 3/4 set and the 4th will depend on fullback who more than likely will be CNK at 1. One second row spot is up for grabs though Healy won't be in the mix for first game unless we have injury worries.

Many of the players pick themselves and anyone thinking RTS will be playing cup in first round is delusional

It’s like what combination of players he’s going with.
Thats why I think trials will have a bearing on R1.
RTS will be in the side 100% imo.

 

[John Nick]

I don’t think he would be settled on:
Halves
Metcalf Yes CHT/Martin/Boyd?
Centres
Leiataua Yes RTS/Berry/Pompey
Wingers DWZ Yes ???????
14 CHT/Healy/Lussick etc???

13 will still be a problem along with centres ,halves, edges,wings.
Long way to go yet

 

[John Nick]

For game 1, Halves are a maybe but yes I think Metcalf is locked in and I think he will go with TMM. Centres and wings he will have 3/4 set and the 4th will depend on fullback who more than likely will be CNK at 1. One second row spot is up for grabs though Healy won't be in the mix for first game unless we have injury worries.

Many of the players pick themselves and anyone thinking RTS will be playing cup in first round is delusional

RTS will probably get a start but to think at this point in time he is a lock in is delusional.
He was disappointing this year and I don't want more of the same.
If we do the same we are going to the same results

 

[Inruin]

It’s like what combination of players he’s going with.
Thats why I think trials will have a bearing on R1.
RTS will be in the side 100% imo.

Trials will have a bearing, predominantly on maybe two or three positions and bench make up IMO. You are right with RTS definitely a lock in. There is zero chance AW doesn't pick him for round 1. I'm hoping it's at left wing and the signs are kind of pointing that way. I think some combinations or the position some players line up in will be up in the air. For example, CNK if fit, will be a lock in. What position he plays may be still to be determined - fullback, center, wing ...

Like I say majority of the team AW will already know in his mind and the remaining few positions will be up for grabs.

 

[Wrighty]

Martin Devlin just asked Webby where is RTS playing next year.
Webby said I’m keeping that private, he learnt a lesson from last year etc.
Good to see Webby took that lesson, he backed himself into a corner with that one.
A small thing but a good sign from Webby.

would anyone if they were webster put RTS at fullback?

 

[WA Warrior]

would anyone if they were webster put RTS at fullback?

Yes mate. I know people will think im nuts which is fine but I still think RTS is our best FB.
CNK to centre with Leiataua. Pompey and Berry very unlucky.
Not suggesting AW will go down this route at all, I think RTS to the wing will be Webbys first option.

 

[John Nick]

Trials will have a bearing, predominantly on maybe two or three positions and bench make up IMO. You are right with RTS definitely a lock in. There is zero chance AW doesn't pick him for round 1. I'm hoping it's at left wing and the signs are kind of pointing that way. I think some combinations or the position some players line up in will be up in the air. For example, CNK if fit, will be a lock in. What position he plays may be still to be determined - fullback, center, wing ...

Like I say majority of the team AW will already know in his mind and the remaining few positions will be up for grabs.

Yes mate. I know people will think im nuts which is fine but I still think RTS is our best FB.
CNK to centre with Leiataua. Pompey and Berry very unlucky.
Not suggesting AW will go down this route at all, I think RTS to the wing will be Webbys first option.

I am still convinced that the best position and maybe only position for RTS is fullback.
Not a centre and not great on the wing.

We should be playing the best possible guy in the best possible position.
None of this bullshit of saying we have to find a spot for RTS or anyone else.
Not knocking him but I want the best out of our team. Not more of the past

 

[Inruin]

would anyone if they were webster put RTS at fullback?

I wouldn't but I have a scary feeling he might. It would create quite a reshuffled backline though..

IMO the cowboys game probably showed close to the best team we put out last season.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Rocco Berry
Adam Pompey
Marcelo Montoya
Chanel Harris-Tavita
Te Maire Martin
Addin Fonua-Blake
Wayde Egan
Jackson Ford
Marata Niukore
Mitchell Barnett
Dylan Walker

Tohu Harris
Jazz Tevaga
Kurt Capewell
Freddy Lussick

Obvious changes would be RTS in for MM, Ali in for Pompey, Metcalf in for CHT, JFH in for AFB, Clark in for Jazz. It would not surprise me if that's roughly the 1-17 for round 1. Prince, Halasima, TT in the extended squad.

Gives something like

CNK
DWZ
Berry
Ali
RTS
LM
TMM
JFH
Egan
Ford
Niukore
Capewell
Walker

Harris
Barney
Clark
Lussick

Prince, Halasima, TT

 

[WA Warrior]

I am still convinced that the best position and maybe only position for RTS is fullback.
Not a centre and not great on the wing.

We should be playing the best possible guy in the best possible position.
None of this bullshit of saying we have to find a spot for RTS or anyone else.
Not knocking him but I want the best out of our team. Not more of the past

I get the rationale and I think centre is a no go as well.
Berry and Pompey are better in the centres imo.
But I get the argument for RTS to wing, we only have one genuine first grade winger in the squad so I could live with Roger playing there.

 

[Inruin]

I get the rationale and I think centre is a no go as well.
Berry and Pompey are better in the centres imo.
But I get the argument for RTS to wing, we only have one genuine first grade winger in the squad so I could live with Roger playing there.

The alternative seems to be Kosi, a complete rookie or a centre playing out of position and CNK playing centre. All for a fullback with near zero distribution skills. Not for me thanks and seems like a lot of reshuffle IMO

 

[John Nick]

I get the rationale and I think centre is a no go as well.
Berry and Pompey are better in the centres imo.
But I get the argument for RTS to wing, we only have one genuine first grade winger in the squad so I could live with Roger playing there.

Yes I understand that we don't have any other options or will someone show up in the trials. After all that's exactly why we have trials

 

[WA Warrior]

Yes I understand that we don't have any other options or will someone show up in the trials. After all that's exactly why we have trials

The combinations rotating for the backline and even back row will be huge in the trials one would think.

 

[John Nick]

The alternative seems to be Kosi, a complete rookie or a centre playing out of position and CNK playing centre. All for a fullback with near zero distribution skills. Not for me thanks and seems like a lot of reshuffle IMO

Well in that case if he's not a centre and not a fullback and not skilled on the wing .
Why play him.
Pretty simple

 

[Wrighty]

Yes mate. I know people will think im nuts which is fine but I still think RTS is our best FB.
CNK to centre with Leiataua. Pompey and Berry very unlucky.
Not suggesting AW will go down this route at all, I think RTS to the wing will be Webbys first option.

Pompey to wing?

Pompey 76 games at centre 17 games at wing in the NRL

 

[Inruin]

Does anyone think regardless of how RTS goes in the trials that he won't be picked for round 1?

Trials aren't to decide every position in the team. They are for a hit out prior to the season starting and to give a bit of clarity around a few positions where there isn't a clear cut stand out player. That's about it really.

 

[WA Warrior]

Does anyone think regardless of how RTS goes in the trials that he won't be picked for round 1?

Nah, he’ll be there.

 

[WA Warrior]

Pompey to wing?

Pompey 76 games at centre 17 games at wing in the NRL

Get a bloody sprint coach in!
Maybe, I think he could transition to the 2nd row as well eventually.
I seen someone raise this before, is Berry a chance on the wing?