Social Wrighty's Player Agent Game

[wizard of Tauranga]

Seen as we’re using ai, I posed the question of Chat GPT:

NRL Thurston/Smith vs an all solid side

If we’re talking prime Johnathan Thurston + prime Cameron Smith versus a side of all solid players, the answer is pretty clear:

Thurston/Smith wins more often than not.

Here’s why.

Why Thurston + Smith is almost unfair

You’re not just adding two great players — you’re stacking control + execution + momentsin the two most important positions in rugby league.

1. Total game control

• Smith controls tempo, ruck speed, discipline, and game management.
• Thurston controls field position, shape, and attacking unpredictability.

An “all solid” side might defend well, but they’re constantly reacting.

2. They weaponise average teammates

This is the killer point.

• Smith makes average forwards look efficient and disciplined.
• Thurston turns decent outside backs into try-scorers.
• Both reduce error rates across the whole team.

Moneyball players thrive next to them

3. Clutch beats consistency

All-solid teams win early rounds and mid-season games.

But:

• Tight games
• Finals
• Golden point
• Scorelines under 6 points

That’s Thurston territory.

Smith keeps you alive.
Thurston kills you.

How the all-solid side tries to win

Their path to victory looks like:

• Win the middle for 80 minutes
• Kick well every set
• No soft edges
• Force Thurston to defend constantly
• Hope fatigue neutralises Smith late

They can win — especially in wet, grinding matches — but they need everything to go right.

The key matchup: pressure vs composure

• Solid teams rely on pressure accumulation
• Thurston/Smith rely on one moment

League games are often decided by 2–3 decisive plays, not 80 minutes of evenness.

Guess who owns those moments.

Verdict

Over a season:
Thurston/Smith wins ~65–70%

In finals:
Thurston/Smith wins ~75–80%

Unless the solid side has:

• An elite defensive organiser, and
• A top-tier kicker, and
• A ruck controller to disrupt Smith

…they’re surviving, not dictating.

 

[Warriors55]

Its all AI generated based on info it has learnt on this thread.

Fair enough but I dont think you should be posting incorrect information on here that can impact voting. Casey Mclean is one of the best centres in the NRL and will probably be an all-time great by the time that he finishes. I am more than happy with a Tate and Mclean centre pairing.

Not having a go at you but it is the fourth time your post has mentioned I only have 1 centre so enough is enough haha.

 

[Wrighty]

Its all AI generated based on info it has learnt on this thread.

No wonder it said Mcinnis was a hooker. That explains the three hooker criticism of my team!!! I was slightly mystified by that,

 

[Cces]

Seen as we’re using ai, I posed the question of Chat GPT:

NRL Thurston/Smith vs an all solid side

If we’re talking prime Johnathan Thurston + prime Cameron Smith versus a side of all solid players, the answer is pretty clear:

Thurston/Smith wins more often than not.

Here’s why.

Why Thurston + Smith is almost unfair

You’re not just adding two great players — you’re stacking control + execution + momentsin the two most important positions in rugby league.

1. Total game control

• Smith controls tempo, ruck speed, discipline, and game management.
• Thurston controls field position, shape, and attacking unpredictability.

An “all solid” side might defend well, but they’re constantly reacting.

2. They weaponise average teammates

This is the killer point.

• Smith makes average forwards look efficient and disciplined.
• Thurston turns decent outside backs into try-scorers.
• Both reduce error rates across the whole team.

Moneyball players thrive next to them

3. Clutch beats consistency

All-solid teams win early rounds and mid-season games.

But:

• Tight games
• Finals
• Golden point
• Scorelines under 6 points

That’s Thurston territory.

Smith keeps you alive.
Thurston kills you.

How the all-solid side tries to win

Their path to victory looks like:

• Win the middle for 80 minutes
• Kick well every set
• No soft edges
• Force Thurston to defend constantly
• Hope fatigue neutralises Smith late

They can win — especially in wet, grinding matches — but they need everything to go right.

The key matchup: pressure vs composure

• Solid teams rely on pressure accumulation
• Thurston/Smith rely on one moment

League games are often decided by 2–3 decisive plays, not 80 minutes of evenness.

Guess who owns those moments.

Verdict

Over a season:
Thurston/Smith wins ~65–70%

In finals:
Thurston/Smith wins ~75–80%

Unless the solid side has:

• An elite defensive organiser, and
• A top-tier kicker, and
• A ruck controller to disrupt Smith

…they’re surviving, not dictating.

When did Cameron Smith ever have a forward pack considered to be average?
The playoff record of the Smith/Cronk/Slater trio was 70%. In no alternative universe is a duo of Smith/Thurston 5-10% better than that. Come on

 

[Chris Hodges]

No wonder it said Mcinnis was a hooker. That explains the three hooker criticism of my team!!! I was slightly mystified by that,

Well Mcinnis did play most of his career at Hooker, and at his pinnacle of his NRL career, he was certainly a hooker.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Fair enough but I dont think you should be posting incorrect information on here that can impact voting. Casey Mclean is one of the best centres in the NRL and will probably be an all-time great by the time that he finishes. I am more than happy with a Tate and Mclean centre pairing.

Not having a go at you but it is the fourth time your post has mentioned I only have 1 centre so enough is enough haha.

I was so dark on McLean early last season but didn’t appreciate he was only a teenager still. He’ll be one of the best outside backs of all time I reckon

 

[Warriors55]

I was so dark on McLean early last season but didn’t appreciate he was only a teenager still. He’ll be one of the best outside backs of all time I reckon

I was really surprised how good he was during the Pacific Test Championships. Him and Dylan Brown were the players of the comp.

He is probably ahead of where someone like Reece Walsh was at the same age. The sky is the limit for Casey. I am hoping he will come to the Warriors later in his career. He would absolutely transform our backline.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

When did Cameron Smith ever have a forward pack considered to be average?
The playoff record of the Smith/Cronk/Slater trio was 70%. In no alternative universe is a duo of Smith/Thurston 5-10% better than that. Come on

Just what AI said and I’m running with it

I guess Thurston is just that much better than Cronk. And Slater, awesome player but halves win games, fullbacks are just a weapon for them to use.

 

[Warriors55]

I'm going to move Isaac Luke to start and Ben Hunt to the bench.

I haven't really commented on my team much like some of you guys have, but one thing I will say is my forward pack is going to destroy most other teams.
It doesn't matter how many superstars backs you have, you ain't getting any ball in decent field position.

 

[Wrighty]

I'm going to move Isaac Luke to start and Ben Hunt to the bench.

I haven't really commented on my team much like some of you guys have, but one thing I will say is my forward pack is going to destroy most other teams.
It doesn't matter how many superstars backs you have, you ain't getting any ball in decent field position.

I think Isaac Luke is a much more qualified half back. And that Ben Hunt is an elite 14.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I haven't really commented on my team much like some of you guys have,

Half this game is a PR campaign trying to win votes isn’t it?

Well at least that’s what I’m hoping

 

[Wrighty]

Half this game is a PR campaign trying to win votes isn’t it?

Well at least that’s what I’m hoping

Well I am glad the cat is out of the bag about the Hodges leaked dossier as that commentary was giving Brownstone the victory before the end of the game, now it appears back up for grabs.

 

[Warriors55]

Half this game is a PR campaign trying to win votes isn’t it?

Well at least that’s what I’m hoping

I have some catching up to do then

 

[Warriors55]

I think Isaac Luke is a much more qualified half back. And that Ben Hunt is an elite 14.

I've debated this a lot because in my opinion Ben Hunt is better starting the game and then you have the impact of Isaac Luke coming on when the opposition forwards are tiring and wrecking havoc. Hunt is better at the start of the game especially with his kicking game. Queensland have used this to good effect in the past with Harry Grant and Ben Hunt.

However, I feel the forum will prefer Luke at hooker so I have changed it and Ben Hunt is the ultimate 14 utility. I can't think of anyone (apart from maybe Craig Wing) who would be better as a 14.

 

[Warriors55]

I wouldn't mind that rubbish AI dosier being removed from the Squad page

edit: and by rubbish I mean questionable

 

[Warriors55]

In saying that I just saw that I accidentally posted something in the squad thread as well!

 

[Wrighty]

I wouldn't mind that rubbish AI dosier being removed from the Squad page

edit: and by rubbish I mean questionable

It's not a problem as later tonight I will create a voting thread and the first nine posts are to be exclusively people posting their final teams and a write up (if they want to). The write up is used to try to convince people to vote for you. So there will be a fresh thread.

 

[Warriors55]

It's not a problem as later tonight I will create a voting thread and the first nine posts are to be exclusively people posting their final teams and a write up (if they want to). The write up is used to try to convince people to vote for you. So there will be a fresh thread.

It has been a while since I played this game. What is the timeframe from when the game ends and voting begins Wrighty?

 

[Chris Hodges]

I wouldn't mind that rubbish AI dosier being removed from the Squad page

edit: and by rubbish I mean questionable

To be fair, Casey Mclean(based on one season...) or not, it still doesnt change where your team stands when compared to the other teams

 

[Wrighty]

It has been a while since I played this game. What is the timeframe from when the game ends and voting begins Wrighty?

I will probably post the voting thread later tonight or tomorrow morning as i need to give some instructions with it about the type of information you need to post about your team. So I want to think it through. Then we wait patiently for every body to post their teams. That usually takes about 48 hours after I post the thread. But there is no time limit. We just wait until everyone posts in the thread and no additional posts are allowed initially in that thread as i want all the teams listed one post after another if that makes sense. Then there is no time limit for voting but usually the voting dries up after maybe 4 or 5 days and we collectively call it when we can just see that no one else is voting any more. Everyone is eligible to vote who is a member of this web site. However mark this important rule: you may not vote for yourself. You must vote for other people. It all balances out as we all follow the rule if that makes sense.