General YOUR Team for 2026
- Thread starter CWC
- Start date
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LETS PLAY CAPEWAH AT LOCK CUZ OF THIS FEVER DREAM I HAD.
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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
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
- Thread starter
- #225
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
Young man’s game now, cmon!
1. Roger Tuivasa-scheck
2. Alofiana Khan-pereira
3. Kayliss Fatialofa
4. Ali Leiataua
5. Sio Kali
6. Jye Linnane
7. Luke Metcalf
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Sam Healey
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Leka Halasima
12. Jacob Laban
13. Erin Clark
14. Channel Harris-Tavita
15. Demetric Vaimuga
16. Marata Niukore
17. Morgan Gannon
1. Roger Tuivasa-scheck
2. Alofiana Khan-pereira
3. Kayliss Fatialofa
4. Ali Leiataua
5. Sio Kali
6. Jye Linnane
7. Luke Metcalf
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Sam Healey
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Leka Halasima
12. Jacob Laban
13. Erin Clark
14. Channel Harris-Tavita
15. Demetric Vaimuga
16. Marata Niukore
17. Morgan Gannon
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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)
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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I will die on the hill that at the start if boyd is 7 taine has to be fullback. Need someone with ball playing ability in there to cover the gap metcalf leaves
Ford started in Round 1 & was a bench regular thereafter
It’ll be interesting to see how Webby puts all the pieces of the forward pack and rotation together next year.
I thought Ford as a bigger minute middle off the bench really complemented Demetric and vice versa. Due to all the injuries, I think he just got run a little too hard by the end of the season.
I like Niukore as a starchy second row starter when it’s a bit more conservative and grindy, then bring on Leka at 20mons or when it opens up a bit and move Marata into the middle rotation.
But if Webby thinks Leka can do 80 … it’ll be very interesting to see how and where Niukore goes.
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Thanks for taking the time to reply.
For me Niukores best position is strictly as a one stint bench prop to run hard and to bang on d.
That said I prefer Fords awkward, ungainly running style and mega defensive work rate.
I don’t think Niukore is dynamic enough for a modern day edge. He’s pretty ‘vanilla’ these days and runs hard and makes his tackles but has pretty much zero offence. He’s a bench prop or Cup player for ‘26 imo.
And I’ve always been a massive CNK supporter but these last 2 games for NZ have shown me he’s past it as our #1. Look slow and his attack has gone missing. RTS killed at fullback and think he should be there next year. Tane has great attack (poor mans Kini) but I like RTS’s last line of defence. So important for a top 4 side
And I’ve always been a massive CNK supporter but these last 2 games for NZ have shown me he’s past it as our #1. Look slow and his attack has gone missing. RTS killed at fullback and think he should be there next year. Tane has great attack (poor mans Kini) but I like RTS’s last line of defence. So important for a top 4 side
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01. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
02. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
03. Adam Pompey
04. Charnze Nicoll-Klockstad
05. Alofiano Khan-Pereira
06. Te Maire Martin
07. Luke Metcalf
08. James Fisher-Harris
09. Wayde Egan
10. Mitchell Barnett
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Leka Halasima
13. Erin Clark
14. Channel Harris-Tavita
15. Demetric Vaimauga
16. Marathon Niukore
17. Whoever impresses pre season
02. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
03. Adam Pompey
04. Charnze Nicoll-Klockstad
05. Alofiano Khan-Pereira
06. Te Maire Martin
07. Luke Metcalf
08. James Fisher-Harris
09. Wayde Egan
10. Mitchell Barnett
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Leka Halasima
13. Erin Clark
14. Channel Harris-Tavita
15. Demetric Vaimauga
16. Marathon Niukore
17. Whoever impresses pre season
Not sure CNK has the 10m burst of speed to hit the hole to play centre. Got shown up once or twice v Tonga. Personally I’d be going to a young buck with pace. It’s a shame Rocco can’t stay on the park as I’d go with him (not sure he’s quick enough though). You can’t coach speed. Bye bye Capes and CNK. It time for the young bulls to stand up. Ali, Laban, Demi, Leka and shape everyone else around them
