General YOUR Team for 2026

[CWC]

Leka would need to trim down to his 2023 size to play centre, but that's like signaling it's over for Berry and Ali TBH, cutting the loss, or maybe give them one more season, and CNK could fill the role too?

I have a better idea, Leka to fullback He's gonna outjump Xavier Coates and trample over his head for 90m tries, causing the other team to never bomb us again

 

[Wrighty]

How about Leka to hooker so he controls the game and gets as many touches as possible ?

Joke

 

[snake77]

This time last year the coaching staff were debating having Halasima playing in the middle vs on an edge.

We don't know what their long term plan is. But it is likely as a forward. So they will plan his off season weight around that.

I'd prefer they stick with keeping him as a 2nd rower who has mobility and can push out if there is an injury.

 

[Noitall]

This time last year the coaching staff were debating having Halasima playing in the middle vs on an edge.

We don't know what their long term plan is. But it is likely as a forward. So they will plan his off season weight around that.

I'd prefer they stick with keeping him as a 2nd rower who has mobility and can push out if there is an injury.

Second rowers like Capewell can shift out, and I think that’s what we’ve got in Halasima and Fatialofa if he makes it in first grade? Then there’s second rowers that can shift in and I think we’ve got two of them too in Laban and EIT, EIT could go either way probably? Halasima is worth consideration how he kept McLean quiet in the preliminary final, but would be a huge risk to shift him with the trajectory he’s on. Really hoping Leiataua has a big preseason

 

[Boston Boy]

Anyone think either

A) Pompey Improves
B) Pompey stagnates
C) Pompey regresses

Personally the guys always a 6 or 7 out of 10 , never above never below. If he could be a 7 or 8 out of 10 every game....
The guy looked to be running with some more purpose and intent or should I say venom in the end of the year....

A bit harsh, I think as a defensive centre he is a 7.5-8, I would say attacking wise between 6.5-7. But he definitely had some 8's - 8.5's in my book last year. Had some good attacking games. When he plays in the centres, that side is usually defensively sound. Quite underrated. I agree is a bit slow but has a big step, and good hands and positions himself very well defensively because he knows he lacks a bit of pace. All round I would say he is a 7.5 centre. A key cog in our team and the most reliable and dependable centre we have.

 

[Noitall]

A bit harsh, I think as a defensive centre he is a 7.5-8, I would say attacking wise between 6.5-7. But he definitely had some 8's - 8.5's in my book last year. Had some good attacking games. When he plays in the centres, that side is usually defensively sound. Quite underrated. I agree is a bit slow but has a big step, and good hands and positions himself very well defensively because he knows he lacks a bit of pace. All round I would say he is a 7.5 centre. A key cog in our team and the most reliable and dependable centre we have.

He got beaten 1 on 1 a few times late in the season but I agree with all you say and can distribute from centre, even getting that Hiku flick pass sorted. I think he gained a lot of confidence in getting his centre spot back after losing it in 2024 and that being a bad decision. 119 caps, I think we’re going to see him in his peak years over the next couple of seasons, he really advanced on his running metres later in the season too

 

[Horriors2013]

A bit harsh, I think as a defensive centre he is a 7.5-8, I would say attacking wise between 6.5-7. But he definitely had some 8's - 8.5's in my book last year. Had some good attacking games. When he plays in the centres, that side is usually defensively sound. Quite underrated. I agree is a bit slow but has a big step, and good hands and positions himself very well defensively because he knows he lacks a bit of pace. All round I would say he is a 7.5 centre. A key cog in our team and the most reliable and dependable centre we have.

He plugs a hole when Leiataua and Berry are injured. Reliable with the odd surprise match-winning play. He's a great servant of the club.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Really curious if they trial CNK at centre. I think he went really well at pac champs. Defends really well & still gets through the yardage work. Especially with Rocco listed as a mid season return & no idea where Ali is at, we can’t put capes there.

 

[Noitall]

He plugs a hole when Leiataua and Berry are injured. Reliable with the odd surprise match-winning play. He's a great servant of the club.

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGMcxPrzHvM/

Because of that reliability I think he’s the first picked centre at the club currently. Very much a confidence player, notice RTS always send praise his way any opportunity he gets to mention Pompey and how he has an impact on the left side being overall solid. I think we’ll see his best season so far in 2026

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Really curious if they trial CNK at centre. I think he went really well at pac champs. Defends really well & still gets through the yardage work. Especially with Rocco listed as a mid season return & no idea where Ali is at, we can’t put capes there.

Berry mid season?

Only has a handful of games for the club to decide to resign… or not.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Berry mid season?

Only has a handful of games for the club to decide to resign… or not.

I've had a quick look online and can't see anything specific for Rocco, other than 'next season', which is what most players who were injured and didnt finish the season seems to say.

Hopefully that means it's not mid season nek year...or maybe we're already preempting the injury Rocco's gunna get in his return game

 

[Naynay]

He plugs a hole when Leiataua and Berry are injured. Reliable with the odd surprise match-winning play. He's a great servant of the club.

I think Pompey kind of plays an important role, you need those consistent players in the squad.

If Ali can pop off like he should or Berry stay healthy pompey locking down the other centre position is a god send

 

[CWC]

Yup Pompey is basically a homegrown first pick veteran centre with good D, pass and now confidence and power to score tries at the age of 27.

It’s really make or break for Ali and Berry if they still don’t make it by year’s end they will be 25 and 26 the following season and you see what Pompey alone has achieved by 27

Question would be which edge do we play Pompey? Considering D and attack, kick chase/hit ups etc. maybe left and CNK/Berry/Ali can fight and rotate the right edge workhorse role…

 

[Cces]

Question would be which edge do we play Pompey? Considering D and attack, kick chase/hit ups etc. maybe left and CNK/Berry/Ali can fight and rotate the right edge workhorse role…

Yeah left suits him best. His strongest attacking attributes is his left foot step followed by his left hand flick. His tackles seem more effective on the left too. When CNK played Centre this season they shifted Pompey to the right which, from the outside looking in, didn't seem like the best use of either of their skill sets

 

[Noitall]

Yeah left suits him best. His strongest attacking attributes is his left foot step followed by his left hand flick. His tackles seem more effective on the left too. When CNK played Centre this season they shifted Pompey to the right which, from the outside looking in, didn't seem like the best use of either of their skill sets

Felt like there was a bit of seeing who suits where with Leiataua starting on the right, then shifting to the left before he wasn’t seen in first grade again? Berry seems like he’s got ownership of the right when healthy, but staying healthy is an issue. Halasima was played on the right in the preliminary final. Wondering if Putoko could come into the fold?

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Berry mid season?

Only has a handful of games for the club to decide to resign… or not.

Full shoulder recon, 9 months

 

[Noitall]

The more I’m considering Putoko, the more I think he could be in our plans? Was signed for 3 years this year, though I’m not sure of the type of contract? Wouldn’t be surprised to see him earn a development spot in 2026 after a super impressive nsw cup debut and representing the Cook Islands

 

[BabylonPink]

So probably

1.TT/CnK
2.AKP/DWZ
3.CNK/Ali
4.Pompey
5.RTS

I just can't see the club shifting sheck back to centre. And if Pomps and Charnze have a left side preference... Berry out , Ali not quite there....

 

[Noitall]

So probably

1.TT/CnK
2.AKP/DWZ
3.CNK/Ali
4.Pompey
5.RTS

I just can't see the club shifting sheck back to centre. And if Pomps and Charnze have a left side preference... Berry out , Ali not quite there....

Could be really unfortunate timing for Berry. The only way the club extends him past 2026 I reckon is faith in him beating his injury curse? He hasn’t had and won’t get much time to impress

 

[Inruin]

So probably

1.TT/CnK
2.AKP/DWZ
3.CNK/Ali
4.Pompey
5.RTS

I just can't see the club shifting sheck back to centre. And if Pomps and Charnze have a left side preference... Berry out , Ali not quite there....

With news TT has a broken leg, it puts a bit of a hold on my preferred team for round 1.

With that injury in mind I'd love to see RTS at the back, CNK in the centers and that gives AKP the left wing spot. Unfortunately that would probably also mean DWZ on the other wing and that would more than likely be the weakest defensive wing pairing in the comp