General YOUR Team for 2026

[Dannevegas]

After the Samoa v Tonga game I would love to see this team run out.

1. RTS
2. AKP
3. Pompey
4. Leiataua
5. DWZ
6. TMM
7. Metcalf
8. Fisher-Harris
9. Egan
10. Barnett
11. Halasima
12. Capewell
13. Clark

Bench
CHT
Vaimauga
Ford
Laban

Eveyone, even all the aussies have Roger as our fullback except Webby and Charnze himself. I wouldn’t mind seeing Taine there but in the time he got there this season he didn’t really take the opportunity imo.

One more shot for Roger to win a comp with us, and our best chance will be with him at the back.

 

[enterthewarrior]

WARRIORS

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

3. Adam Pompey

4. Rocco Berry

5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

6. Chanel Harris-Tavita

7. Luke Metcalf

8. James Fisher-Harris

9. Wayde Egan

10. Mitch Barnett


11. Kurt Capewell

12. Leka Halasima

13. Erin Clark


14. Te Maire Martin

15. Demitric Vaimauga

16. Morgan Gannon

17. Marata Niukore

Analysis: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will be the fullback, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the wings, unless he is released to join R360 early, in which case Taine Tuaupiki could find himself on the flank. Adam Pompey and Rocco Berry will be the centres, with Chanel Harris-Tavita joined by Luke Metcalf in the halves after his return from an ACL injury, with Tanah Boyd dropping out. If Metcalf is not fit Boyd will likely be the No.7. Mitch Barnett returns form an ACL injury of his own to partner James Fisher-Harris in the front row, with Wayde Egan at hooker to forge a scary front three. Kurt Capwell and Leka Halasima could start in the back row, with Dally M lock of the year Erin Clark in the No.13. However, that move would force Marata Niukore to a bench role, forcing him into the middle of the park. Te Maire Martin looms as the utility ahead of Samuel Healey with Demitric Vaimauga joined by new recruit second-rower Morgan Gannon on the bench after his switch from Leeds on a three-year deal. Tanner Stowers-Smith and Jacob Laban are the odd players out.

This is fox sports predicted team for next season. This was before AKP signed with us. I think they are pretty much spot on with the exception of AKP. I would drop DWZ for AKP. I would also have Healey in the team but Webster will most likely go with TMM.

 

[Dannevegas]

WARRIORS

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

3. Adam Pompey

4. Rocco Berry

5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

6. Chanel Harris-Tavita

7. Luke Metcalf

8. James Fisher-Harris

9. Wayde Egan

10. Mitch Barnett


11. Kurt Capewell

12. Leka Halasima

13. Erin Clark


14. Te Maire Martin

15. Demitric Vaimauga

16. Morgan Gannon

17. Marata Niukore

Analysis: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will be the fullback, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the wings, unless he is released to join R360 early, in which case Taine Tuaupiki could find himself on the flank. Adam Pompey and Rocco Berry will be the centres, with Chanel Harris-Tavita joined by Luke Metcalf in the halves after his return from an ACL injury, with Tanah Boyd dropping out. If Metcalf is not fit Boyd will likely be the No.7. Mitch Barnett returns form an ACL injury of his own to partner James Fisher-Harris in the front row, with Wayde Egan at hooker to forge a scary front three. Kurt Capwell and Leka Halasima could start in the back row, with Dally M lock of the year Erin Clark in the No.13. However, that move would force Marata Niukore to a bench role, forcing him into the middle of the park. Te Maire Martin looms as the utility ahead of Samuel Healey with Demitric Vaimauga joined by new recruit second-rower Morgan Gannon on the bench after his switch from Leeds on a three-year deal. Tanner Stowers-Smith and Jacob Laban are the odd players out.

This is fox sports predicted team for next season. This was before AKP signed with us. I think they are pretty much spot on with the exception of AKP. I would drop DWZ for AKP. I would also have Healey in the team but Webster will most likely go with TMM.

That’s a bottom 3 backline right there

 

[Ryno 2.0]

For me RTS is like a combination of Charnze and Tuapiki, hes not the greatest link man but better than CNK in my opinion.

Getting him to fullback also means we can slot in AKP on the left with Pompey and Halisma.

 

[Warriors55]

Why are people still selecting DWZ. There is no way that anyone who watched most of our games this season would consider having DWZ in our starting 17 or even Cup for that matter.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

CHT is an interesting one.

Imo is a lock for the 6 position to start next year, however looking at his last 2 weeks as a 14 for Samoa, he seems to provide much more spark off of the bench than TMM does.

Ran a nice line for his try, seems to provide adequate service from dummy half and also had that 40/20 that CNK stuffed up for the try.

Looks promising, I hope he's open to filling that utility role. An extra few kilos and mould him into a utility/back rower will ball playing ability like Dylan Walker, but can also cover hooker if required, and half. We could get away with CHT and Healey on the bench if that was the case

 

[Cces]

That’s a bottom 3 backline right there

It does kind of look that way. They've only ever lined up once with that combo due to injuries, and they led the Rabbitohs 30-18 before Berry pinged his hammy

 

[Wrighty]

This is at the 10 game mark when Metcalf returns

1 Taine
2 Dallin
3 CNK
4 Pompey
5 AKP
6 CHT
7 Metcalf
8 Fisher Harris
9 Egan
10 Barnett
11 Halasima
12 Capewell
13 Clark

14 Healey
15 Vaimauga
16 Gannon
17 Niukore

Unlucky to be omittedL Ford, Laban,

REASONS
1) Taine as goal kicker. I think he was getting better at better game by game and needs more time in first grade to reach his potential. If Jye Gray is big enough then Taine is big enough.
2) I would use Healey as my 15. It is use him on the bench next year or lose him, I don't see what TMM offers over him as we have thrown Healey out at lock before by memory. If a half goes down then Egan is more than capable mid game halves replacement and Healey to hooker.
3) AKP ahead of RTS as AKP is the future. Dallin gets to stay as I believe his wrist injury hampered his 2025 play.
4) Gannon to be back row cover and lock cover
5) I was going to have RTS at backs cover but with having Capewell able to cover centre mid game we can reshuffle the back line as needed.

 

[Cces]

This is at the 10 game mark when Metcalf returns

1 Taine
2 Dallin
3 CNK
4 Pompey
5 AKP
6 CHT
7 Metcalf
8 Fisher Harris
9 Egan
10 Barnett
11 Halasima
12 Capewell
13 Clark

14 Healey
15 Vaimauga
16 Gannon
17 RTS

Unlucky to be omittedL Ford, Laban, Gannon

REASONS
1) Taine as goal kicker. I think he was getting better at better game by game and needs more time in first grade to reach his potential. If Jye Gray is big enough then Taine is big enough.
2) I would use Healey as my 15. It is use him on the bench next year or lose him, I don't see what TMM offers over him as we have thrown Healey out at lock before by memory. If a half goes down then Egan is more than capable mid game halves replacement and Healey to hooker.
3) RTS to utility back on the bench. He covers fullback, wing, and centres. And RTS at his age shouldn't ne playing NSW Cup. RTS to learn to play lock cover this off season.
4) AKP ahead of RTS as AKP is the future. Dallin gets to stay as I believe his wrist injury hampered his 2025 play.
5) Gannon to be back row cover and lock cover

How would a secondary middle forward rotation of Vaimauga, Gannon & RTS fare against someone like the Raiders?

 

[Wrighty]

How would a secondary middle forward rotation of Vaimauga, Gannon & RTS fare against someone like the Raiders?

I just edited my post. I decided we don't need RTS or a utility back since Capewell can cover centre and then we can reshuffle one of the centres to wing or fullback.

I just put Niukore at 17 an extra middle.

 

[Milking!]

This is at the 10 game mark when Metcalf returns

1 Taine
2 Dallin
3 CNK
4 Pompey
5 AKP
6 CHT
7 Metcalf
8 Fisher Harris
9 Egan
10 Barnett
11 Halasima
12 Capewell
13 Clark

14 Healey
15 Vaimauga
16 Gannon
17 RTS

Unlucky to be omittedL Ford, Laban, Gannon

REASONS
1) Taine as goal kicker. I think he was getting better at better game by game and needs more time in first grade to reach his potential. If Jye Gray is big enough then Taine is big enough.
2) I would use Healey as my 15. It is use him on the bench next year or lose him, I don't see what TMM offers over him as we have thrown Healey out at lock before by memory. If a half goes down then Egan is more than capable mid game halves replacement and Healey to hooker.
3) RTS to utility back on the bench. He covers fullback, wing, and centres. And RTS at his age shouldn't ne playing NSW Cup. RTS to learn to play lock cover this off season.
4) AKP ahead of RTS as AKP is the future. Dallin gets to stay as I believe his wrist injury hampered his 2025 play.
5) Gannon to be back row cover and lock cover

The Simon Mannering medal winner to the bench? Spicy.

 

[Milking!]

I just edited my post. I decided we don't need RTS or a utility back since Capewell can cover centre and then we can reshuffle one of the centres to wing or fullback.

I just put Niukore at 17 an extra middle.

Now Roge is dropped? Did he steal money from you?

 

[Warriors55]

I just edited my post. I decided we don't need RTS or a utility back since Capewell can cover centre and then we can reshuffle one of the centres to wing or fullback.

I just put Niukore at 17 an extra middle.

Wrighty, please tell me you did not select DWZ over RTS on the wing?

RTS is far far superior to DWZ (they are not even close), I honestly thought you made a typo at first.

 

[Wrighty]

Wrighty, please tell me you did not select DWZ over RTS on the wing?

RTS is far far superior to DWZ (they are not even close), I honestly thought you made a typo at first.

It is either RTS or Dallin. People need to wake up and realise that AKP will play. Absolutely. Guarantee it.

In terms of Dallin vs RTS
My decision is based on
1) Dallin being unusually poor last season at defence He isn't normally that bad.
2) Dallin is signed for 2026 and 2027. What do we do with him on $700Kish if we don't select him. No one else will take him. Might as well play him and hope he regains form.

 

[Inruin]

Round 1 team given no LM or Barney

It is either RTS or Dallin. People need to wake up and realise that AKP will play. Absolutely. Guarantee it.

In terms of Dallin vs RTS
My decision is based on
1) Dallin being unusually poor last season at defence He isn't normally that bad.
2) Dallin is signed for 2026 and 2027. What do we do with him on $700Kish if we don't select him. No one else will take him. Might as well play him and hope he regains form.

@Wrighty what is your round 1 team looking like? Some things to consider would be our current injuries, how we finished last half of the season, where our perceived weaknesses are and how the international teams have played their Warriors players.

 

[Warriors55]

It is either RTS or Dallin. People need to wake up and realise that AKP will play. Absolutely. Guarantee it.

In terms of Dallin vs RTS
My decision is based on
1) Dallin being unusually poor last season at defence He isn't normally that bad.
2) Dallin is signed for 2026 and 2027. What do we do with him on $700Kish if we don't select him. No one else will take him. Might as well play him and hope he regains form.

Wrighty, I respect you too much to get into this properly with you.

No one is saying do not pick AKP. AKP will be playing 100%. But to select DWZ over RTS is the wrong option.

What usually happens in this situation where a team wants to get rid of a player. You don't select him, he plays Cup, he feels unsatisfied with that and he tells his manager to look for other opportunities. If none in the NRL, usually those players head to Super League.

Playing Dallin will cost us games next year. I would rather take the $700k hit (or pay freight to have him go to another team) than have him in our starting lineup. You don't pick someone over a superior player just because they are signed for a longer period of time or on more money.

 

[Wrighty]

Wrighty, I respect you too much to get into this properly with you.

No one is saying do not pick AKP. AKP will be playing 100%. But to select DWZ over RTS is the wrong option.

What usually happens in this situation where a team wants to get rid of a player. You don't select him, he plays Cup, he feels unsatisfied with that and he tells his manager to look for other opportunities. If none in the NRL, usually those players head to Super League.

Playing Dallin will cost us games next year. I would rather take the $700k hit (or pay freight to have him go to another team) than have him in our starting lineup. You don't pick someone over a superior player just because they are signed for a longer period of time or on more money.

OK.
He has lost a yard of pace too. Or maybe half a yard of pace He turned 30 in August 2025.

Revised back line

1 TT
2 RTS
3 CNK
4 Pompey
5 AKP

 

[tajhay]

1) Dallin being unusually poor last season at defence He isn't normally that bad.
2) Dallin is signed for 2026 and 2027. What do we do with him on $700Kish if we don't select him. No one else will take him. Might as well play him and hope he regains form.

1) Dallin is either poor on defence or makes the most boneheaded decisions i.e. offloading in tackle on first in his own 20, or trying a long pass to fb on kick return. He has consistently made erratic decisions throughout his career, however the dumb decisions has somewhat been offset by his lack of defence awareness. HIs confidence was shot at the end of last season though. Agree that Webster will persevere with him but we have to be realists that SJ isnt here to feed him tries like he enjoyed in 23. Reality is AKP is likely no better in defence than DWZ.
2) Dallin is on under 500k, and Roger is our highest paid wing by quite a margin (he is the highest paid winger currently in the NRL). Do you really see the highest paid winger in the game not selected in the 17? I dont.

Not sure if AKP is a guaranteed spot - although if he did get a spot it will surely be left wing as that is all hes played. It really depends whether the club is able to devise a strategy to utilise speed - its somewhat of an unknown if we know how to do that due to our territorial/possession/conservative gameplan. I think we would have to go back 20 odd years to see how Warriors utilised speed on the flanks rather than just a battering ram.

 

[Wrighty]

Charnze at 3 games at centre 44 tackles made 5 missed - 89.8% tackle efficiency

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I’ve been against RTS to fullback for the sole reason he had the position and left for union so we invested in and backed CNK. RTS (even if better) shouldn’t get the position back as of right.

However given time I think he’s the best option there as has earned it. 2024 he was poor but this year he’s been in peak form and based on that, in my mind, he’s earns the position back.