General Your 2025 team

[Boats n Hoes]

But there’s so many other top tier factors that AFB brings.
15th in all runs taken
10th run metres
2nd post contact metres
25th tackle breaks.
When you have a dominate player like that, it makes it easier for the rest of the players to roll on from there.
I think you are underestimating AFBs impact on how much we relied on him to make metres upfield.

The post contact metres and the 84 tackle breaks are huge!

If your in the middle of the park and breaking tackles think of how that has to shorten the defensive line and the extra space that creates?

Combine that with the post contact metres which is even after the initial defensive contact your still going forward, and as we saw AFB rarely got turned on his back which meant usually you were attacking off front foot ball after his hit ups.....its winning the ruck.....which any halfback will tell you makes their job a helluva lot easier.

Fish is the best replacement we could possibly hope for but no....the loss of AFB cant be under estimated.

 

[Playdaball]

I’ve raised this previously , but I’m not sure if Clark looks like a hooker these days. Many are selecting him as a back up hooker to Egan but may not work???
Having Lussick on the bench was a waste of a spot as he doesn’t offer too much when he comes on.
It is good to have someone on the bench who can cover the backline instead of playing one of the back rowers there , if required.

14 spot options, who could cover hooker?
Clark? Walker? CHT? Healey? Boyd?

 

[Playdaball]

Tohu retired, so that opens up a spot!

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Clark to 13, Demetric and Walker to the bench

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Barnett
Egan
Fish
Capewell
Ford
Walker

Clarke
Vaimauga
Niukore
Ale

 

[CWC]

JFH
Egan
Barney
Capewell
Laban/Halasima
Clarke

Healey, Walker, Demetric, Marata (2nd row?)
Depth - Ale, Ford, Zyon Maiu’u, Afoa. Ieremia and the other stumpy junior prop

I hope he doesn't persist with Ford in the best 17, and 1 of Demetric/Marata needs to be 2nd row impact for Laban/Halasima or vise versa

 

[Ramps]

JFH
Egan
Barney
Capewell
Laban/Halasima
Clarke

Healey, Walker, Demetric, Marata (2nd row?)
Depth - Ale, Ford, Zyon Maiu’u, Afoa. Ieremia and the other stumpy junior prop

I hope he doesn't persist with Ford in the best 17, and 1 of Demetric/Marata needs to be 2nd row impact for Laban/Halasima or vise versa

Yeah, i prefer this as well with regards to Clarke starting at 13. Walker is able to cover backline well enough if required. But i do think we'll see ford starting with the young guns off the bench unless of course Niukore is moved back to the backrow.

 

[Inruin]

Yeah, i prefer this as well with regards to Clarke starting at 13. Walker is able to cover backline well enough if required. But i do think we'll see ford starting with the young guns off the bench unless of course Niukore is moved back to the backrow.

I've been thinking about Niukore over the last couple of days. Is he becoming the odd man out that doesn't really fit now or will he be a lock in somewhere, whether prop, second row or bench? Just has been a bit underwhelming for me this last year including the tests.

 

[CWC]

I've been thinking about Niukore over the last couple of days. IS he becoming the odd man out that doesn't really fit now or will he be a lock in somewhere, whether prop, second row or bench? Just has been a bit underwhelming for me this last year including the tests.

Given Ford was moved to prop and they seemed to have beefed Marata up but still played him at 2nd row, and Demetric seems to be a prop prospect, I don't know how they're navigating it with Laban/Halasima not being able to last the whole game for the whole season, and Capewell will get injured at some stage too.

I have a feeling we'll end up with a fat 2nd rower again, or Barney will move to 2nd row mid-game for Laban/Halasima, but he's too big for a 2nd rower too like the others.

 

[Neo]

With the spine we have and the loss of Harris is a top 8 finish realistic?

 

[Inruin]

With the spine we have and the loss of Harris is a top 8 finish realistic?

I think it is. If anything its forced AW to think more like the games we had without him last year

 

[JustVisiting82]

Where I am at currently:

1. TT
2. DWZ
3. CNK
4. Ali
5. RTS
6. Metcalf
7. TMM
8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Niukore
11. Halasima
12. Capewell
13. Clarke
14. Walker
15. Healey
16. Barnett
17. Vaimauga

Notes:

• Halves are my biggest uncertainty, I could see arguments for swapping TMM for CHT or Boyd. Definitely want Metcalf in there but not sure if as a predominantly running half or if he should take on more of the game management and kicking.
• Niukore starting and Barnett on bench so one of Barnett and JFH can always be out there and also they can split the captains duties during the game. With my other props being Niukore and Vaimauga I wasn't sure it would be good to have both on as props at the same time. Niukore could come back on and spell Halasima late in the game if he isn't up to 80 minutes yet.
• Ale, Ford, Berry, Pompey all unlucky to miss out but good guys to bring in when needed. I particularly wanted to pick Berry at centre but didn't want to leave out CNK.
• Laban to compete for Halasima's spot.
• Zyon Maiu’u to focus on developing in reserve grade this year but might benefit from more first grade exposure later in the season if a few injuries.

 

[snake77]

How much will todays decision change the way we play?
Walker is the main option at 13 that can ball play. I like him off the bench plugging holes if needed due to injury but mainly coming on to try and change momentum.

Harris' ball playing in the middle was nice. The main options to replace him don't have that as a strength. Could mean more focus on the halves to step up.

A good opportunity for a few guys to make the position their own. Maybe Ale, Clark, Ford, Vaimauga.

 

[Falcon]

I would have loved another injury free season from Tohu. 6.5ft and 112kg is hard to replace.

I’d be interested in having a good look at Ale having a run at 13 in the trials. I like his footwork and ball skills when given the chance to show them. You suspect this is his chance to shine.

The style of play this year looks to be with our forwards being upwardly mobile. I’m expecting big minutes from our 2nd Rowers so I think Ford reverts to this position due to his fitness.

Walker offers a different style interchanging at 13, and the ability to unlock a game with his inter play with the halves, the other 3 are middle forwards with Niukore making the occasional cameo in the back row when needed.


Barnett
Egan
Fisher- Harris
Capewell
Ford
Ale

Walker
Vaimunga
Clarke
Nuikore

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

IMO, now that Tohu isn’t playing. Our chances of making the finals have taken a serious hit.
I feel like this year may be more of a development year. And given we have no realistic chance of actually winning. I’d say that’s what our expectations and priorities should be.

I originally had Pompey in my centres for round 1. But we now need Leiataua to have as much game time as possible.

If this is a development year and Boyd is signed for 2 years. What’s the realistic chance he actually stays? As such what’s the point of giving him valuable “development” game time. TMM for me.

I’d like Halasima and Laban to share that right edge so they don’t burn out. Start or nothing for me.

And I’d like us to move towards a more “workhorse” 13. Then inject a ball player at the 20 minute mark. Like we did to great effect in 2023.

1. CNK
2. RTS
3. Leiataua
4. Berry/Pompey
5. DWZ
6. Metcalfe
7. TMM

8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Barnett
11. Capewell
12. Halasima/Laban
13. Ford

14. Walker
15. Vaimauga
16. Niukore
17. Healy/Clark