General YOUR Team for 2026

NZWarriors.com

Probably not a realistic prospect of playing #1 but I put in the time working this out because there's probably 20 other guys across the comp I'd rather play Fullback than either CNK or Tuaupiki.
Here's RTS's body of work at Fullback since he returned:

2024:
283m vs Knights
293m vs Tigers
200m vs Raiders (started at Cente, 34 mins at #1 & scored a try in the position)
281m vs Bulldogs (started at Centre, 42 mins at #1)
256m vs Raiders (started on Wing, 72 mins at #1 and scored a try in the position)

Never been a great ball player but in his career at Fullback he averages 0.3 Tries per game & 0.4 Try Assists. CNK is 0.3 & 0.2 and Tuaupiki 0.1 & 0.5
 
Probably not a realistic prospect of playing #1 but I put in the time working this out because there's probably 20 other guys across the comp I'd rather play Fullback than either CNK or Tuaupiki.
Here's RTS's body of work at Fullback since he returned:

2024:
283m vs Knights
293m vs Tigers
200m vs Raiders (started at Cente, 34 mins at #1 & scored a try in the position)
281m vs Bulldogs (started at Centre, 42 mins at #1)
256m vs Raiders (started on Wing, 72 mins at #1 and scored a try in the position)

Never been a great ball player but in his career at Fullback he averages 0.3 Tries per game & 0.4 Try Assists. CNK is 0.3 & 0.2 and Tuaupiki 0.1 & 0.5

He offers same or more meters than CNK and has the speed off the mark and a lethal step to make defenders nervous, and he looks keen to work on his passing game because he’s actually grown a vision these days, which is surprising cuz I was told he doesn’t pass

Good to see these stats backing up the eye test

I’d be pretty frustrated if we have 5 wingers (3 FG) and he’s still not moved to FB, at worst it’s a decision on either playing CNK or a CNK upgrade in a key position to try to win the comp, easy decision
 
Slightly off topic but the content is too good not to share. The ShortBall on instagram who IMO has the best overall knowledge of junior players did an NRL Draft with players yet debut (or only played 1 game).

Pick 5: Kayliss Faitalofa
Pick 6: Sio Kali

Coby Black, Mitchell Woods, Heamasi Makasini and Cooper Bai were the only players selected ahead of them

Some of our other juniors

Pick 29: Caelys Putoko
Pick 45: Jett Cleary
Pick 46: Brandon Norris
Pick 47: Paea Junior Sikuvea

Sikuvea too low and Putoko too high are my initial thoughts

If we are being real Bishop Neal is probably top 5 (although I think they valued more proven players that have played at NSW cup/Jersey Flegg etc, which is fair albeit not realistic in an actual draft setting)

Jye Linnane insanely went undrafted (due to back to back ACL's was the reasoning)
 
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