General Warriors Preseason 2026
- Thread starter WahsaurusRex
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It's not about one Vs the other.
It's having enough players to cover the entire season positionally. Only a fool would sack Dallin. Even if he is a reserve grader for us, he'll play throughout the year. Our outside backs have a knack for buckling during the season. So more is better in this case.
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Im pretty sure what Cces is alluding to is that both RTS and AKP play on the left wing. DWZ plays on the right. This point is often overlook when people say that AKP is replacing DWZ. He is more likely to take over left wing IMO if the plan is to move RTS again...
I do not believe AKP has ever played on the right edge (Dallin's side) in the NRL.
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Yep gotcha. Suppose I was alluding more to noitall's post with the quote about Dallin by Riccio.
I'm not actually a Dallin disciple but try scoring as one of our wingers is generally a finishing thing. The whole backline was multi combinations during last season.
I recall one slide in preseason pictures where AKP was about to receive the ball from Pompey and considered posting but didn’t bother because I thought it didn’t really mean anything, and doesn’t really. Really interesting to watch what’s going on with Ponga, I’d love to see us go with RTS fullback if he’s only with us one more year and get Ponga for 2027 if there’s a chance. Any further out and he’s getting on too much and potentially missing his peak years. The more you consider it, they could opt for CNK centre knowing he’s likely to get through games? Berry’s injuries and the pressure that puts on selection could count against him? I still believe Leiataua is earmarked for Pompey’s replacements when he takes it
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I would start DWZ for the seniority but have AKP breathing down his neck ready to take over as soon as DWZ underperforms.
Kosi in the last five seasons has played 5,11,11,5,4 games.
Average of 7.2 games.
AKP played 10 games for GC last season.
I don't think it would be wild for AKP to play 7-10 games this season, then progress into a starting role in 2027
Assuming of course RTS and DWZ are playing well and deserving of their spots
Kosi in the last five seasons has played 5,11,11,5,4 games.
Average of 7.2 games.
AKP played 10 games for GC last season.
I don't think it would be wild for AKP to play 7-10 games this season, then progress into a starting role in 2027
Assuming of course RTS and DWZ are playing well and deserving of their spots
All in all I think AKP is probably the next man up when RTS requires or departs at the end of the year.
Ponga would be a pipe dream really, unless he wants to take a massive pay-cut I don't think the club should sign him his pay is almost entirely on potential and 4-5 game streaks. If they wanna move on from CNK at fullback its got to be Taine slotting in there (at-least for the moment until there is a clear younger kid coming through)
I think we would have seen Tuaupiki extended by now if he was in their plans past 2026, doesn’t mean CNK doesn’t hold the position for the remainder of his contract? I think that would be a mistake personally though. You’re right about the salary regarding Ponga, it’s too much. Would require him to leave his contract for a shot at a title and I’d personally be happy to see him earn a million a season under his potential playing under Webster. I wouldn’t expect to ever hear anything until it’s deep in the works because Warriors would have to be careful not to attract attention from tampering rules when Ponga was seen with Warriors staff. We almost got a wrap over the knuckles for approaching Dylan Brown in that manner. Probably unlikely, but an attacking threat like him at fullback and think we’d give the whole thing a fair shake
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True on Taine, i think he will go now probably to bears just the path i would go is with him as a cheap buy with lots of upside for the price.
With the ponga thing just more onto it I mostly mean we probably dont have the spare coin to offer him close to what he has, reports are CNK is 500k and i would imagine taine is around the 200k mark ( which could also be the not resigning taine hold up)
Usually the 2nd trial game fields a probable round 1 team or close enough to it... regardless the pre season may yield some surprises ... just happy, that most ... not all positions are covered ... still feel we're 1 or 2 key players short...
Apparently Leaiataua is a top 10 centre and better than Holmes and Timoko…. I’ll take that. Obviously not there yet but I think he can get there
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They got us 2026-2029 as our premiership window
Hmm I would have thought 27-29?, I don't think we are truly in contention this year. Feels like we are a 8th-6th place team, maybe 5th-4th if injuries are kind for once. I just don't think we have the second row and centres to make us dangerous enough across the park. Especially if we plan to roll out the exact same side as last year. Berry or Ali could have an awesome year, and Capewell/Marata have reduced roles with Leka and Laban gunning it possibly. That would take us up a notch.
With CNK and CHT in the team we need those positions to be dangerous in their own rights, as they don't provide much spark ball in hand.
With CNK and CHT in the team we need those positions to be dangerous in their own rights, as they don't provide much spark ball in hand.
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Agree with your placing assessment, however, think its our halves and fullback where we are sorely lacking.
Charnze and/or Tuaupiki probably aren't good enough and if we go with CHT and Boyd for the first month and a half until Metcalf is back has me worried we will get off to a poor start and potentially snowball with low confidence similar to 2024.
For me the weaknesses are FB and centre.
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