Im willing to let him try his luck somewhere else. There are more options ahead, and decent centres on the market if needed.
If Ali Leiataua cant get going, then will penisini u
is a real option.
General YOUR Team for 2026
- Thread starter CWC
- Start date
If Ali Leiataua cant get going, then will penisini u
is a real option.
NZWarriors.com
Penisini could be more vital to the Eels now that Lomax is goneskies, surely he's now in their top 17?
Bayley Simmonson has done his hamstring too apparently
NZWarriors.com
Code sports has us 6th on their power rankings at this stage of pre-season:
In a double boost, Luke Metcalf not only re-signed until the end of 2028 but started running as part of his ACL rehab putting him on track for a round one return. Blues prop Mitch Barnett (ACL) will increase his load over the preseason but with heavy Pacific Championship representation coach Andrew Webster won’t get his hands on a full squad until mid-December, and seasoned campaigners like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and James Fisher-Harris, won’t back until the new year. Webster has a settled roster with only fringe players like Bunty Afoa and Edward Kosi farewelled. Alofiana Khan-Pereira is also already on board.
Burning issue: Retention. Metcalf is locked in but Webster has some huge roster calls in coming months. Ten players, including Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin and Marata Niukore are on the open market. Webster also has rising playmakers Jett Cleary and rugby convert Harry Inch at his disposal which could impact decisions made over Harris-Tavita Martin and Tanah Boyd.
It’s a big pre-season for: Morgan Gannon. The former Leeds Rhinos backrower, with 68 Super League games under his belt, has plenty of potential but will battle the likes of Jackson Ford, Tanner Stowers-Smith and Jacob Laban for a round one bench spot.
Gains: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Haizyn Mellars (Rabbitohs), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Jye Linnane (Knights )
Losses: Bunty Afoa (Tigers), Tom Ale (Panthers), Edward Kosi (Rabbitohs) Kalani Going (Panthers), Moala Graham-Taufa (Rabbitohs),
In a double boost, Luke Metcalf not only re-signed until the end of 2028 but started running as part of his ACL rehab putting him on track for a round one return. Blues prop Mitch Barnett (ACL) will increase his load over the preseason but with heavy Pacific Championship representation coach Andrew Webster won’t get his hands on a full squad until mid-December, and seasoned campaigners like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and James Fisher-Harris, won’t back until the new year. Webster has a settled roster with only fringe players like Bunty Afoa and Edward Kosi farewelled. Alofiana Khan-Pereira is also already on board.
Burning issue: Retention. Metcalf is locked in but Webster has some huge roster calls in coming months. Ten players, including Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin and Marata Niukore are on the open market. Webster also has rising playmakers Jett Cleary and rugby convert Harry Inch at his disposal which could impact decisions made over Harris-Tavita Martin and Tanah Boyd.
It’s a big pre-season for: Morgan Gannon. The former Leeds Rhinos backrower, with 68 Super League games under his belt, has plenty of potential but will battle the likes of Jackson Ford, Tanner Stowers-Smith and Jacob Laban for a round one bench spot.
Gains: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Haizyn Mellars (Rabbitohs), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Jye Linnane (Knights )
Losses: Bunty Afoa (Tigers), Tom Ale (Panthers), Edward Kosi (Rabbitohs) Kalani Going (Panthers), Moala Graham-Taufa (Rabbitohs),
NZWarriors.com
NZWarriors.com
Gannon is most likely to be the rookie who gets a spot. He won't replace anybody. He will be ranked 18th and the 18th person will easily get 20 games in. The second rookie to debut will be Kayliss. I have him ranked 22nd on Wrighty's depth chart,
14 TMM
15 Vaimauga
16 Leka
17 Ford
18 Gannon
19 Laban
20 TT
21 Healey
22 Kayliss (he is in our top 30 now and will play first grade 2026)
23 EIT
24 TSS
25 Ali
26 Tanah
27 AKP
28 Mellars
29 Jye Linnane
30 Freddy Lussick
Of that thirty 28,29 and 30 likely not to play Having 27 NRL ready players is great depth. I did this exercise last year and we had 26 NRL ready players and in years prior had 24, Having depth of 27 is huge.
CNK will play fullback despite the forums wishes and the available centres will be Pompey Rocco Ali with a second rower ss our fourth option.
We are thin at prop depth. And Lock depth. Gannon has virtually no experience at lock (he played their once.) TSS is our only back up prop in the top 30 notwithstanding they can put Marata there in a reshuffle.
The good news is that Gannon and Kayliss give us good second row depth.
- Thread starter
- #331
I think Laban, EIT and Marata are our depth props, I think TSS is not as good as them but will be first choice depth prop lol
CNK might be at centre if Berry/Ali don't sort their stuff out
I'd move Marata to Cup or propping for Barney until he's ready and open up the second row spot for Leka/Fats/Laban/EIT
I was impressed with EIT in the games he played, especially the ability to play big minutes in the middle. Huge amount of versatility and a big preseason could earn him a bench spot in round one.
Of the players that played the playoff game, I would think you can really only pick one out of Healey and Martin. TSS isn’t quite there yet but it’s not a position we have depth in with Barney still injured. Pompey would ideally be a depth player but again a position we lack options in.
