2026 pre season

[JB9918]

The use of Tristan Hope will be very interesting and as you say the 6 man

I like the 6 man bench for us.

Can carry Hope & Makasini who are basically specialist.

My bench would be something like Latu, Royce, Sione & Bunty or Seyfarth.

This is gives us balance across all positions.

We know Turuva can cover FB at a pinch. Makasini gives back covers as well Doueihi, Latu covers the halves & hooker. If Api does go down early we have Hope as insurance.

Of the forwards Sione covers backrow & plenty of middles.

I know most teams will be similar but for us last year Hope & Da Silva weren't there all the time & a few times we have Samuela in the centres with what was a weak backrow last year with little to no depth.

 

[innsaneink]

Makasini aint going to.learn.anything sitting on a bench week after week

 

[gallagher]

Makasini aint going to.learn.anything sitting on a bench week after week

I think Benji will chuck him straight onto the wing.

 

[hammertime]

That’s why he’s in no photos

He’s bald 🤣

View attachment 32881

Is it just me, or just he looks like he's built out in a massive way since last year? Dead set unit

 

[wstigers11]

Is it just me, or just he looks like he's built out in a massive way since last year? Dead set unit

Noticeably bigger. Hoping that’s a good thing

 

[JB9918]

Makasini aint going to.learn.anything sitting on a bench week after week

He will either play NRL or Cup.

Another benefit of a 6 man bench. No dedicated 18th man.

There be 18 & 19 but they will play Cup for sure.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Champion @wstigers11, it's said:

A 6-man NRL bench (with 4 active interchanges) offers greater tactical flexibility, better injury cover, and improved player welfare by managing fatigue and HIAs It allows teams to carry specialized cover without sacrificing forward depth, reducing the need for forced, inefficient positional changes during games.

Key benefits of the 6-man bench include:

• Improved Injury Coverage: Coaches can carry specialist backs or playmakers, ensuring that injuries to outside backs don't require forwards to fill in.
• Enhanced Tactics: Coaches can keep versatile options available, such as combining three middles, a wider forward, a spine utility, and an explosive back.
• Player Welfare: The increased depth helps manage the impact of head injury assessments (HIAs) and reduces the risk of player burnout.
• Game Quality: It maintains competitive balance by ensuring teams can adequately replace injured players, reducing the "one-side" advantage often seen when a team loses key backs.

While the bench is extended, the 8-interchange limit remains, meaning coaches must still strategically manage when they use their substitutes."







"

Disadvantages.
Players taken out of cup team to sit on bench
Those players miss
a) game time
b) lose fitness
c) honing their skill set
d) weaken/disrupt the cohesion of cup side players

 

[Leck]

That’s why he’s in no photos

He’s bald 🤣

View attachment 32881

Nice cut. It's all business now. Two bothers, 2TM will be destructive in 2026.

 

[innsaneink]

I think Benji will chuck him straight onto the wing.

Id be surised unless we have injuries to the senior backs

 

[innsaneink]

He will either play NRL or Cup.

Another benefit of a 6 man bench. No dedicated 18th man.

There be 18 & 19 but they will play Cup for sure.

Pretty much every week this yearKOE and NRL are on the same day...at different venues bar a couple of games

 

[gallagher]

Id be surised unless we have injuries to the senior backs

He likes to back youth, i think Skelton lacks quite a bit.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

He likes to back youth, i think Skelton lacks quite a bit.

Afraid so, pace being the elephant in the room.