Pick Your Team Sydney City Roosters v NZ Warriors - [Round 1, 2026]

[Noitall]

They didn’t give TT or CNK any time at 6 in the trial game against the Dolphins - would have been the ideal time to do it .
Does this mean that they’d be comfortable with Hanson at 6 or are they confident that CHT will
Be there for Round 1
Vs. Easts?

Don’t think they needed to because they had the all star game to gauge and previous performances there. Surely CHT has been on nursing his injury to be available for round 1?

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Surely CHT is g2g round 1. Calf strain well managed. I’m more concerned about RTS and his hammy.

 

[BabylonPink]

Surely CHT is g2g round 1. Calf strain well managed. I’m more concerned about RTS and his hammy.

Tbf Barnett , RTS and CHT could still all be put rnd1.

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

Tbf Barnett , RTS and CHT could still all be put rnd1.

Bring Barney off the bench for the first couple of rounds. Giving him another week off surely wouldn’t make much of a difference with him being at the end of his rehab

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Luke Hanson is better than CHT, there i said it! Especially when paired with Boyd!

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I think a big question for Webby is the centre spot.

Does he show faith in Ali and give him first crack. If he does I think CNK is FB.

If Webby hasn't got faith in Ali, CNK to centre and Taine to FB is probably his best best bet.

Its a big call. DCE and Sam Walker will be kicking their lips if Ali is playing

 

[Naki73]

Is AKP injured ? Didn't think he would come here to play NSW Cup.

 

[JustVisiting82]

Is AKP injured ? Didn't think he would come here to play NSW Cup.

He sat out the second trial after a head knock sustained in the All Stars game. I haven't seen any other injuries mentioned on this forum or elsewhere.

 

[JustLikeStartingOver]

if all the forwards are fit there won't be nearly enough minutes to go around, there's no rule that says you can't rotate them in and out to keep them firing and the enthusiasm high, but NRL teams never do this, they just pick a best team, run them till they break down and then go to the next one.

think everyone knows what the coach will do with the backs, even if its not your preference, you know he not picking KAHN!! with no trial games or moving CNK off fullback.

The bench is a bit interesting, have your usual 3 forwards and a hooker, then Taine can play (or at least fake it) at 1,2,5,6 so your only really missing proper centre cover, and then you'd never have to reshuffle due to injury. But we don't have another first grade centre, chuck AKP on there, maybe you have a spare interchange at the 70th minute and he can sprint after some kicks.

8 JFH
10 Ford (why rush barnett, its a long season)
11 Laban (suits starting more than bench)
12 Capewell
13 Clark

14 Healey
15 Vaimauga
16 Niukore (playing middle this year)
17 Leka (be nice to have the backrowers play 60, 50, 50 minutes instead of 80, 55, 25, but thats a tricky rotation to juggle)
18 Taine
20 AKP

 

[WahsaurusRex]

1. Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Watene-Zelezniak
3. Leiataua
4. Pompey
5. Tuivasa-Sheck
6. Harris-Tavita
7. Boyd
8. Fisher-Harris
9. Egan
10. Ford
11. Laban
12. Capewell
13. Clark
14. Tuaupiki*
15. Healey
16. Stowers-Smith
17. Vaimauga
18. Halasima
20. Niukore*

 

[sup42]

1.Roger
2.Dallin
3.Adam
4.CNK
5.Alofiana
6.Chanel
7.Tanah
8.James
9.Wade
10.Mitchell
11.Kurt
12.Jacob
13.Erin

14. Morgan (utility halves, center, hooker, stand off - Erin's sub)
15.Jackson (Prop)
16. Leka (where ever - he could play prop)
17.Dimetric (Middle/prop or Lock if Erin or Gannon go down).

I am happy with whatever Webster does, he knows these guys. Can't wait, all in on the Warriors bus.

 

[WAH MAN]

I think a big question for Webby is the centre spot.

Does he show faith in Ali and give him first crack. If he does I think CNK is FB.

If Webby hasn't got faith in Ali, CNK to centre and Taine to FB is probably his best best bet.

Its a big call. DCE and Sam Walker will be kicking their lips if Ali is playing

Don't think he would factor at all if Webby didn't have faith in him. As a reference........ Rocco Berry. I think Ali will start. I think CNK to centre is an act of desperation that Webby doesn't need to do at this stage.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Luke Hanson is better than CHT, there i said it! Especially when paired with Boyd!

CHT is one of the best defensive halves in the comp. That alone gives him precedence over Hanson at this stage, given our defense oriented game plan. If CHT is ready to go, Webby picks him ahead of Hanson no doubt.

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Running out with RTS and CHT (and possibly Barnett) with no prep seems risky. Hopefully they are experienced enough that it doesn’t make a difference.

 

[WAH MAN]

CHT is one of the best defensive halves in the comp. That alone gives him precedence over Hanson at this stage, given our defense oriented game plan. If CHT is ready to go, Webby picks him ahead of Hanson no doubt.

CHT will start at 6 if he is fit. Webby is a stickler for incumbents and loyalty. Hanson would need to have high x factors to jump the queue. Having said that, it's more likely a matter of time and patience for many of the young blokes who have featured in the trials.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Running out with RTS and CHT (and possibly Barnett) with no prep seems risky. Hopefully they are experienced enough that it doesn’t make a difference.

Regarding RTS, AKP coming with a concussion from the all-stars game might be even riskier. If Barney is ready, I'd play him. Maybe off the bench though and start Ford.

 

[Horriors2013]

1. CNK

2. RTS
3. Pompey
4. Leiataua
5. DWZ

6. CHT
7. Boyd

13. Clarke
12. Capewell
11. Niukore
10. Ford
9. Egan
9. JFH

14. Vaimouga
15. Halasima
16. Gannon
17. Laban
18. Healey
19. Tuaupiki

21. TSS
22. EIT

I think injury and reliability dictates this Round 1 team. My only doubt is Niukore's availability. If available, I think Webby will want his size and aggression to counter the absence of Barney. If not, Laban has deserved his spot.

RTS and Tuaupiki are fit apparently. Halasima on the bench for mine, just because he's an X factor, but since about Round 24 last year, he sort of faded. I think Webby will give him a chance to find his form from the bench, just to free him up to attack. He and Demi played more minutes than most juniors ever play in a rookie season. I think they need to get back to attacking more instead of the grinding role.

Whatever happens, isn't that bench the best in the league? I reckon we have the best forward depth for sure.

See you all at Mt. Smart - Bay 29! Up the Wahs!

 

[Tpadds]

1 CNK
2 DWZ
3 Pompey
4 Ali
5 RTS
6 CHT
7 Boyd
8 Fish
9 Egan
10 Barney
11 Laban
12 Capewell
13 Erin

14 Taine
15 Healey
16 Leka
17 Demi
18 TSS
19 Ford

Marata probably the unluckiest to miss out in this world, but here's my thinking:

- Fish, Barney and Erin are locked in if fit

- Maybe I'm putting Laban in on potential but I feel like he has arrived as a first grade second rower.

- Demi and Leka are pretty much guaranteed a bench spot each, although I do have a nagging fear there might be a little "second year syndrome" for Leka.

- TSS was the standout in the trials for me, dominated almost every contact on both sides of the ball.

- Ford is a Webby favourite and his ability to play big minutes adds value with the 6 man bench. If a hooker and half/outside back are both required then Ford covers the necessary minutes and two of the other three bench forwards go unused.

A couple of weeks of running over the top of some Q cup defence might be just spark Marata needs to fire up at NRL level when injuries do happen.

- Gannon looks like he's got a touch of class but a run of games in cup seems the logical starting point for him.

- EIT got bashed around a bit in the trials I thought, only a small sample size but still.

- Kayliss still looks to be a few injuries away from being considered.

- As much as I'm craving more creativity out of the backline, CNK is too important for defensive organisation IMO.

- Ali deserves another crack at locking down that spot with his attacking flair. I'd be worried about where a run of poor form or another couple of injuries might lead for him though, career wise.

- Wouldn't be disappointed to see AKP in for Dallin but I think Webby will give first crack to the incumbent.

Absolutely fizzing for the season to start whoever ends up wearing the jersey against the chooks!

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

That is a well thought-out lineup. I definitely think TSS has earned a spot somewhere.

 

[Tpadds]

Agreed, player of the pre season for the wahs for me