My issue is if 2025 isnt a prem window, I cant see giving a soon-to-retire bloke preference over our future.
General Your 2025 team
- Thread starter Te Mana-wah
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I think AW had the initial thought to play a number of players less minutes than what they ended up doing but reverted to them playing longer minutes thinking that they were the best option to get a result. AFB is one example where he can play longer minutes, Egan is another. Sometimes less is more though. Its interesting that arguably two of our best wins came with AFB having either a reduced role or no role at all with the Panthers and Dolphins games. You obviously want that sweet spot with your best players but cant help think that the collective team unit should have been used more - that also develops those bench players more too. I do wonder if he is going to adapt more towards that this year.
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i like the backs (jury out on Berry but he could come good, short leash though) as you say Charnze has probably earned first crack at fullback. DWZ, RTS, CNK could get you 550m most weeks. even if yardage is a bit out of fashion, thats what the back-to-back-to-back-to-back champions do, and it compensates for not having a big kicking meters half. Think of it as doubling down on your strengths rather than trying to be a bit good at everything.
You could go in 10 different directions with the forwards - there's got to be some thought about Egan and his sub - is it worth starting Clark for 15 minutes of simple dishing and tackling then bring him back as a running middle later.
I wouldn't get too cute outside of that:
JFH (sub) Demetric
Barney (sub) Niukore
Tohu (sub) Walker (also spine cover for injury)
The edges are expected to play 80, that should be the goal for Halasima and Laban etc, if Katoa and Kikau and those types of big guys can do it.
Both Niukore and Barnett can pop onto the edge if injury.
Fake a few HIAs so always have fresh middles.
I like the thinking however arguments you've made against Tohu starting in the upcoming season probably also apply to Niukore as a second rower... which shows conditioning and injury status is a massive factor for both individuals ... if it were up to me both of those guys would be battling it out to start as front-rower interchange or, in Tohu's case, a starting 13... IMO if Tohu is fit he should be there as the starting 13... clearly was not anywhere near that level last year, the wrist injury and whatever else was going on hampered him enormously... otherwise he has the nous and the skill to be premier level again, that's a given I reckon... the only question is his fitness... for Niukore I buy the question of whether he is prepping for the front or second row, and I much rather have him training toward a front row option
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Yeah I dont disagree with that call on Marata
I think he's a pretty decent ball player. Watch him Vs panthers magic round, guy puts on a clinic. I think he the engine to go 60 and the workrate. If you look at my team list all starters are basically 60 to 80 minute forwards. When you need some leg speed and impact you can bring on Clark walker or niukore. 17. Is a luxury sub spot imo.
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Ball playing rating is relative to position though.
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100% with you on this
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Put like that there aren't many other options. I'd like to see Ale get a crack at 13, not sure he's the answer either though.
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To piggyback off another thread talking about how the Titans saw Byod as a bad 6, 7, and an alright 17, I think it's really interesting to compare Byod and CHT.
It looks like CNK (plays 6 for NZ) and TMM are not extending their contracts, for whatever reason. This leaves just Metcalf, Byod, and CHT for 2026, where Jet is obviously not going to step into first grade within one year.
I'm unsure what position Webby wants Byod to play, but I do find it interesting that Des saw him as a 17. From some previous stat analysis, I personally think CHT was our preferred 17, covering hooker and the halves, which Byod himself floated around last year.
Both CHT and Byod have signed for 2025 and 2026. CHT is 25, and Byod is 24. CHT is about 5 cm and 5 kg heavier.
Now, considering that, I do wonder if both of them are competing for the same spot or if one will happily move into the NSW grade, knowing there’s a spot freeing up next year if they can prove themselves in NSW grade.
I also just found it weird how similar those two are in experience. Also good to be putting ourselves in the iron sharpens iron style of team building now.
It looks like CNK (plays 6 for NZ) and TMM are not extending their contracts, for whatever reason. This leaves just Metcalf, Byod, and CHT for 2026, where Jet is obviously not going to step into first grade within one year.
I'm unsure what position Webby wants Byod to play, but I do find it interesting that Des saw him as a 17. From some previous stat analysis, I personally think CHT was our preferred 17, covering hooker and the halves, which Byod himself floated around last year.
Both CHT and Byod have signed for 2025 and 2026. CHT is 25, and Byod is 24. CHT is about 5 cm and 5 kg heavier.
Now, considering that, I do wonder if both of them are competing for the same spot or if one will happily move into the NSW grade, knowing there’s a spot freeing up next year if they can prove themselves in NSW grade.
I also just found it weird how similar those two are in experience. Also good to be putting ourselves in the iron sharpens iron style of team building now.
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