2026 squad - still not good enough

Minutes mate, minutes. Thats the chance he is waiting for. Benji had no idea under utilising him
After Sione was forced to play out of position at 2nd row, his confidence really grew when he came back to the middle. I remember a lot of people wanting him to start at prop or 13 at the back half of the season.

* unrelated side note: I’m posting from a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chamber. Wonder if the WTs use these.. I’ll post more about it in the fitness thread.
 
Is this a side to get us higher up the ladder?
Is Doueihi really a no. 7? Will he be able to get the combo with Luai that was never there in 2025?

Do we have the middle forwards for the job or are they all apart from Terrell May mediocre at best?

Do we have an actual 13?

Is Api an 80 minute player anymore?

Will Pearce-Paul be the right choice to partner Sam Fainu in the back row or are they both right edge players?

Has To'a done enough or should young Makasini come in at some point?

Will Latu's fitness ever come good and if so where does he fit? 14? Relieving Api? Or 13?
 
Is this a side to get us higher up the ladder?
Is Doueihi really a no. 7? Will he be able to get the combo with Luai that was never there in 2025?

Do we have the middle forwards for the job or are they all apart from Terrell May mediocre at best?

Do we have an actual 13?

Is Api an 80 minute player anymore?

Will Pearce-Paul be the right choice to partner Sam Fainu in the back row or are they both right edge players?

Has To'a done enough or should young Makasini come in at some point?

Will Latu's fitness ever come good and if so where does he fit? 14? Relieving Api? Or 13?
good questions...stay tuned
 
Is this a side to get us higher up the ladder?
I think so as they underperformed for mine last year. With an extra pre season together I’d be hoping they improve enough to make the 8.
Is Doueihi really a no. 7? Will he be able to get the combo with Luai that was never there in 2025?
He did show glimpses last year that this answer could be yes. He should be fully fit and raring to go. I’m interested in his story this year.
Do we have the middle forwards for the job or are they all apart from Terrell May mediocre at best?
Short answer is no, however the answer should be more nuanced. We had some under performers in these roles last year. Twal is at his ceiling. Love to see him maintain that. Love to see May get a rest and become more effective. Love to see Pole find consistent form early and see Fainu used more. Bunty and Hunt need big years off the bench.
Is Api an 80 minute player anymore?
Hasn’t been for many years. Was at his most effective with Tallyn relieving him. Finding someone who can effectively play that role is key this season.
Will Pearce-Paul be the right choice to partner Sam Fainu in the back row or are they both right edge players?
He has never really impressed me, however, he did stand up in the Kangaroo Test Matches and that was encouraging as Australia’s backrowers were on kill crazy rampages for the majority of the tour.
Has To'a done enough or should young Makasini come in at some point?
Toa is highly talented but seems a bit of a puss. He lets his team mates down during games regularly. For the first couple of months last year he was our attack. Need more of that. Maka will get his chance. I wouldn’t rush him.
Will Latu's fitness ever come good and if so where does he fit? 14? Relieving Api? Or 13?
I’ve been a big advocate for this kid, especially when most of our fans were riding Galvin’s pony but he is starting to concern me. His development is behind where it should be and that’s mostly due to lack of game time. Some guys are just simply let down by their bodies - it is not unprecedented. Let’s hope he can recover and put a solid 4 months together so we can actually determine what he can offer.
 
Is this a side to get us higher up the ladder?
Is Doueihi really a no. 7? Will he be able to get the combo with Luai that was never there in 2025?

Do we have the middle forwards for the job or are they all apart from Terrell May mediocre at best?

Do we have an actual 13?

Is Api an 80 minute player anymore?

Will Pearce-Paul be the right choice to partner Sam Fainu in the back row or are they both right edge players?

Has To'a done enough or should young Makasini come in at some point?

Will Latu's fitness ever come good and if so where does he fit? 14? Relieving Api? Or 13?


Api shouldn’t be playing 80 minutes. Latu should be training and dummy half because we want to play a 3 forward bench. We need spark out of dummy half.
 
Api shouldn’t be playing 80 minutes. Latu should be training and dummy half because we want to play a 3 forward bench. We need spark out of dummy half.
Latu should spend the season learning in NSW cup along side madden / Andrew’s . I disagree his development is behind . There is a huge bias , caused by the Toyota/Holden Cup where if you haven’t established yourself by 21 , youre done . When in actuality the best halves in the league are all 30 plus , and even prodigious talents like Katoa can’t keep it up for long periods of time . Galvin is basically a triathlete in an nrl players body . I’m interested to see if he’s a one trick pony , like a fitter faster Hastings . Touching the ball way too much so people go ooo ahh , but literally sweet F A is actually happening .
I just think an old school trajectory for Latu seems to be in play . Will kick around between cup and bench , starting , mainly because his body hasn’t developed yet , and once he does , and has a consistent run … we will see the best of him. As for dummy half .. the player who should be developed is Mason. He’s got bulk, he’s got heart , his technique in defence is very good. He just lacks actual strength , so guys can get rid of him once he has a hold . There’s not much he can do than get bigger and stronger , his tackle efficiency will improve out of sight , because his actual technique is solid . I remember when I was 22 the magical number for everyone in the bench was 100. Only the genetic freaks or guys on roids were past it . But nearly to a man by the time guys were 23-24 we were all benching 110-120 . Most dudes hovering around the 80-95 kg mark . Same for deadlift . Thats a little man’s game , but watching dudes go from 100 -150 , to 175 , to 200, to bed to ever saw in person 235kg. Pretty impressive stuff . My point is there’s a natural maturation with this stuff around 23 , and he’s only 21. So we have to be patient .
 
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