NRL NRL Round 1, 2026 Discussion

[sydneywarrior92]

That can happen to a lot of teams across the NRL when they lose a half.

Crazy thing is you'd expect it for the Knights if it was Brown or Ponga. The two guys on million dollar contracts. Sharpe was looking good in that spine until then.

Also probably still a bit of the soft underbelly from the last few years when things don't go their way.

Smith looked good in the trials. But was playing a lot slower than Brown, Sharpe and Ponga were playing.

Still have them in my bottom 4 tho.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

How did Lodge get a visa for the US

When I worked in the USA I found I could get things by handing out money. The yanks wouldn't be subtle about it either.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

I had my reservations about this game. But it's surprisingly entertaining as it is pinning two equally matched teams against each other.

 

[snake77]

Still have them in my bottom 4 tho.

Yeah need to improve their pack, especially their middles.

I liked watching Manly the last few years seeing how DCE and Brooks would combine. They weren't great either.

One thing with the Knights spine is they are all a running threat and all reasonably quick. I'm interested to see how Linane goes when he is available. He looks quick, but also coming off a few ACL's. A test for modern sports science.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Both teams looking tired

 

[MrFrankWhite]

How did Lodge get a visa for the US

Waiver issued by the consulate arranged via in person meeting. Very common in sports players. They are on a work visa too remember

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Cowgirls making some poor plays on the 5th.

 

[snake77]

Payten during the week on his halves selection that the other guys know it's Deardon's team and he will guide them across the park.

Looks like that applies to everything except the kicking. It's been pretty much all Clifford, Drinkwater and Mahoney. Or they have been running in on the last.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

looked legal live

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Nothing in it, a mere Cleary tackle

 

[MrFrankWhite]

nope

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

High likely to be 10

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Newcastle have looked like they wanted it more. Wonder how long Payton has left.

 

[snake77]

Was thinking it is a long wait until Friday for the next game.

Next game is Thursday. Storm vs Eels.

Is that a double header. Courtroom first followed by the football field.

I know technically it is Lomax vs Eels but the Storm have an interest in it. Also seen they may pay Lomax's legal costs.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Yeah need to improve their pack, especially their middles.

I liked watching Manly the last few years seeing how DCE and Brooks would combine. They weren't great either.

One thing with the Knights spine is they are all a running threat and all reasonably quick. I'm interested to see how Linane goes when he is available. He looks quick, but also coming off a few ACL's. A test for modern sports science.

They have the exact opposite problem as us. I rate their back line as a top 6 backline but their pack is bottom 4. We have a top 6 pack but a bottom 6 back line. As we proved last year however, having a good forward pack is enough to get you a solid top 4-6 finish, even though many of the bottom 6 teams have better backs than us.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

So good to have the NRL back.

 

[Evil_Mush]

Happy for the Knights, from last on the table at the end of 2025, to top of the table in 2026

Will be a massive monkey off the back after their embarrassing losing streak.

Yay Rugba Loiiiiig

 

[Kaos A.D.]

Good to see the Kiwi spine get a win

 

[sydneywarrior92]

We beat both these teams comfortably this year. Nothing really changes in the general assessment that this was a bottom 4 showdown.

 

[jumpman5xl]

Cowboys bottom 4, Knights probably finish around 13th
Cowboys pack is old and slow, backs not so great either.
Knights electric spine but dont have the forwards to help them in the grind.