BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Here is my mid-season summary of players in NSW Cup this season.
It’s basically an opinion on the prospects of our train & trial and development players and some of our well-performed Cup contracted players. Not worrying about NRL contracted players in this.
NOTE: Will do Jersey Flegg next week.
Heath Mason (Development) – Fullback/Five-Eighth
Summary: Has played 10 games in Cup predominantly at fullback with a few cameos at 5/8. In the top 15 for tackle breaks in the comp. Weakness remains his tentativeness & regular handling errors under the high ball.
Prospects: Manager has said he has a WT contract for ’26 so looks like he’s been upgraded to top 30 without it being announced. Hopefully now he is played at 5/8 so can build his game in this position and work on his long kicking game & front-line defence.
Alex Lobb (Development) – Wing (Right)
Summary: Has played 9 games. For a player his size, he lacks in tackle breaks & post contact metres. Query on his speed & decision making in defence. Has dropped below Tu’itupou in the pecking order.
Prospects: NSW Cup level at best. Good chance he won’t be retained beyond this season.
Izaac Tu’itupou (Train & Trial) – Wing (Left)
Summary: His last 4-6 weeks has been top shelf in NSW Cup. May have been lacking some fitness & motivation before that. Has been averaging 150m plus in run metres the past 6 matches & 50m+ post-contact per game. Strong in carries, good in the air, very good finishing, can be found out on the outside by a speedster & prone to the odd handling error.
Prospects: If he keeps this form up, he could put himself into the frame for a top 30 as experienced cover for the wing on a low $$$ deal. Can play centre too. Certainly no worse than AJ Kepaoa or Junior Tupou in current form.
Krystian Mapapalangi (Train & Trial) – Centre/Five-Eighth
Summary: Has played 6 games since joining the team. First 3 he played fullback, wing & centre and last 3 at 5/8. Has look assured in all positions actually. Scored a great aerial try and has backed up well for a couple too. He hasn’t starred at 5/8 but is building and has done nothing wrong, a couple of try assists along the way and defence relatively strong which has been a query on him previously.
Prospects: Putting himself into the frame for a contract as a utility back which is a strength to try a nab a lower-end roster spot. I’d love to see him play more at centre.
Eiden Ackland (Train & Trial) - Five-Eighth
Summary: Has played one game of Cup. Had some injury issues and more recently has found himself in Ron Massey Cup. Has energy as a half but not really a game manager or a game breaker.
Prospects: None with us.
Kurt Falls (NSW Cup) - Halfback
Summary: Has made 11 appearances at halfback since returning from off-season shoulder surgery. After a slow start to the season has really taken to a more dominant game manager role this past 4-6 weeks. Decent long kicking game & setting up our attack. Deficiency is his defence and has often been targeted by opposing backrowers or fast, elusive halves.
Prospects: He could play himself into a T&T contract in the pre-season but shouldn’t get any more than that due his limitations. Excellent type to have as a game manager & experienced head in NSW Cup. Turns 29 this year which is against him.
Charlie Murray (NSW Cup) - Lock
Summary: Reportedly an excellent trainer and popular member of the NSW Cup team. His work ethic led to an NRL debut. Has played predominantly lock, averaging 100m per game & 94.5% tackle efficiency, averaging 60mins per game. Decent line speed, good pass at the line and link play, good in effort but is prone to fall off the odd tackle. Can slot into dummy half too.
Prospects: Seems to highly rated & has the motivation to succeed. What stands him in good stead is he’s a smaller middle type with a good passing game and versatility to play dummy half at a pinch. Ceiling is not high but improvement would come with a full-time contract. It wouldn’t surprise me if he lands a lower-end top 30 but I think it would be between him & Tristan Hope. At the very least will get a fulltime T&T if he continues his form in the 2nd half of the season.
Elie El Zakhem (NSW Cup) – 2nd Row
Summary: Has played 9 consecutive games since joining. This 27yo has impressed me most games with his running metres (often 100m+) and post-contact. Is in the top echelon in NSW Cup for offloads, some have been diamonds, some have been rocks. Great build for the modern day backrower and did cover centre in one game. His weakness is his defence which was particularly costly last game, still gets through a lot of defensive work.
Prospects: Good chance at a T&T contract in the pre-season especially since he found himself in the NRL extended squad last game. Is a poor man’s KPP but similarities there especially in the ability to offload. I want to see him really work on his defence as he has some great attack & effort attributes.
Luke Jack (NSW Cup) – 2nd Row
Summary: Turns 22 this year so still young. Previous Australian Schoolboy rep & Qld U19 rep, both at lock. Has played the last 5 matches for the Magpies after starting the season in Ron Massey Cup. Just seems a player who prides himself on his effort & intensity. Has shown little in attack & has been found out in defence a few times.
Prospects: NSW Cup at best. I think he is more suited to lock especially in defence. A very poor man’s Liam Martin on an edge.
Tristan Hope (Development) - Hooker
Summary: Has been solid for the Magpies after a great start to the season for the WT in a pre-season trial & then debuting R1. Quite crafty at dummy half and can sniff out a try. Works very hard in defence too. Prone to a poor pass from dummy half & just seems to have gone off the boil in recent weeks. Noticeable difference in class when TDS has been playing.
Prospects: Good as a 3rd/4th string hooker at NRL level. If he can excel in the 2nd half of the season at Cup, he is a smokey for a top 30 depending on what the future holds with TDS but more likely another T&T (i.e. might be worth keeping as an experienced backup if TDS decided to move on in ’27 whilst Haywood develops).
Reuben Porter (Development) – Prop/2nd Row
Summary: Just a good experienced head to have in NSW Cup. Started the season in the backrow, demoted to bench, then has looked much better the last 3-4 weeks at prop. Ok metreage & less prone to miss tackles laterally in the middle
Prospects: NSW Cup contract at best if he decides to stay. NRL prospects look gone with us with others jumping him in the pecking order.
Jaxson Rahme (Train & Trial) – Prop/Lock
Summary: Arguably our most consistently good player in NSW Cup over the past month. Has been making an impact with increased minutes at prop, good metres including post-contact & strong in defence (missing few tackles). 95% tackle efficiency across 12 games. I’ve also noticed that our team seems to play better when he’s on the field too.
Prospects: If he keeps this form up, I’m not ruling out a NRL debut before the end of the season depending on injuries and possible development contract for ’26 (slight chance top 30). Seems to be a good type as a middle in Benji’s system – still only 21yo too.
Vaka Aho (Train & Trial) - Prop
Summary: Reportedly trained really well in the pre-season with the Magpies & rewarded as starting prop for the opening 8/9 matches for us before an untimely injury. Looked ok without being great in both attack & defence – one of our more impactful players in the early period of the season. Since returning from injury has found himself in Ron Massey Cup and seems to have dropped below Johannssen & Jayden Tanner which is a worry for him.
Prospects: Always thought he had potential but just struggling to make his mark at NSW Cup level. Only just out of Jersey Flegg so I’m sure he has development in him but I get the feel he’s just an Aitasi James type. I think Rahme & Taateo may limit his contract options with us.
Noah Johannssen (NSW Cup) - Prop
Summary: The 22yo has only really had limited opportunities in Cup this season. In 8 games, most of these off the bench for 20-30 mins. Like his brother, I think he needs longer minutes. When he did start against Penrith, he ran for over 100m with 50m+ post-contact and defensively he seemed tidy. Just lacks that bit of impact.
Prospects: May be NSW Cup contract at best. Could improve his game with a big pre-season in the gym but I feel he’s lower on the pecking order than others.
Peter Taateo (Contract status unknown) – Prop
Summary: Played 9 games this season in Cup with the Raiders predominantly in 20-30 mins off the bench. 2 games with us, to the eye he has provided impact & leg speed on both sides of the ball. One glaring poor effort to miss a hole runner in the last game against the Dogs, hopefully an anomaly. Just looks a type we lack.
Prospects: Looks an exciting prospect for our middle in NSW Cup over the 2nd half of the season. He could burst into calculations for a T&T or Dev deal or Top 30 if he shows more of what he shown in 2 games already. I just wonder why Raiders released him & before that he has left Panthers & Parra systems. Turns 23yo tomorrow.
It’s basically an opinion on the prospects of our train & trial and development players and some of our well-performed Cup contracted players. Not worrying about NRL contracted players in this.
NOTE: Will do Jersey Flegg next week.
Heath Mason (Development) – Fullback/Five-Eighth
Summary: Has played 10 games in Cup predominantly at fullback with a few cameos at 5/8. In the top 15 for tackle breaks in the comp. Weakness remains his tentativeness & regular handling errors under the high ball.
Prospects: Manager has said he has a WT contract for ’26 so looks like he’s been upgraded to top 30 without it being announced. Hopefully now he is played at 5/8 so can build his game in this position and work on his long kicking game & front-line defence.
Alex Lobb (Development) – Wing (Right)
Summary: Has played 9 games. For a player his size, he lacks in tackle breaks & post contact metres. Query on his speed & decision making in defence. Has dropped below Tu’itupou in the pecking order.
Prospects: NSW Cup level at best. Good chance he won’t be retained beyond this season.
Izaac Tu’itupou (Train & Trial) – Wing (Left)
Summary: His last 4-6 weeks has been top shelf in NSW Cup. May have been lacking some fitness & motivation before that. Has been averaging 150m plus in run metres the past 6 matches & 50m+ post-contact per game. Strong in carries, good in the air, very good finishing, can be found out on the outside by a speedster & prone to the odd handling error.
Prospects: If he keeps this form up, he could put himself into the frame for a top 30 as experienced cover for the wing on a low $$$ deal. Can play centre too. Certainly no worse than AJ Kepaoa or Junior Tupou in current form.
Krystian Mapapalangi (Train & Trial) – Centre/Five-Eighth
Summary: Has played 6 games since joining the team. First 3 he played fullback, wing & centre and last 3 at 5/8. Has look assured in all positions actually. Scored a great aerial try and has backed up well for a couple too. He hasn’t starred at 5/8 but is building and has done nothing wrong, a couple of try assists along the way and defence relatively strong which has been a query on him previously.
Prospects: Putting himself into the frame for a contract as a utility back which is a strength to try a nab a lower-end roster spot. I’d love to see him play more at centre.
Eiden Ackland (Train & Trial) - Five-Eighth
Summary: Has played one game of Cup. Had some injury issues and more recently has found himself in Ron Massey Cup. Has energy as a half but not really a game manager or a game breaker.
Prospects: None with us.
Kurt Falls (NSW Cup) - Halfback
Summary: Has made 11 appearances at halfback since returning from off-season shoulder surgery. After a slow start to the season has really taken to a more dominant game manager role this past 4-6 weeks. Decent long kicking game & setting up our attack. Deficiency is his defence and has often been targeted by opposing backrowers or fast, elusive halves.
Prospects: He could play himself into a T&T contract in the pre-season but shouldn’t get any more than that due his limitations. Excellent type to have as a game manager & experienced head in NSW Cup. Turns 29 this year which is against him.
Charlie Murray (NSW Cup) - Lock
Summary: Reportedly an excellent trainer and popular member of the NSW Cup team. His work ethic led to an NRL debut. Has played predominantly lock, averaging 100m per game & 94.5% tackle efficiency, averaging 60mins per game. Decent line speed, good pass at the line and link play, good in effort but is prone to fall off the odd tackle. Can slot into dummy half too.
Prospects: Seems to highly rated & has the motivation to succeed. What stands him in good stead is he’s a smaller middle type with a good passing game and versatility to play dummy half at a pinch. Ceiling is not high but improvement would come with a full-time contract. It wouldn’t surprise me if he lands a lower-end top 30 but I think it would be between him & Tristan Hope. At the very least will get a fulltime T&T if he continues his form in the 2nd half of the season.
Elie El Zakhem (NSW Cup) – 2nd Row
Summary: Has played 9 consecutive games since joining. This 27yo has impressed me most games with his running metres (often 100m+) and post-contact. Is in the top echelon in NSW Cup for offloads, some have been diamonds, some have been rocks. Great build for the modern day backrower and did cover centre in one game. His weakness is his defence which was particularly costly last game, still gets through a lot of defensive work.
Prospects: Good chance at a T&T contract in the pre-season especially since he found himself in the NRL extended squad last game. Is a poor man’s KPP but similarities there especially in the ability to offload. I want to see him really work on his defence as he has some great attack & effort attributes.
Luke Jack (NSW Cup) – 2nd Row
Summary: Turns 22 this year so still young. Previous Australian Schoolboy rep & Qld U19 rep, both at lock. Has played the last 5 matches for the Magpies after starting the season in Ron Massey Cup. Just seems a player who prides himself on his effort & intensity. Has shown little in attack & has been found out in defence a few times.
Prospects: NSW Cup at best. I think he is more suited to lock especially in defence. A very poor man’s Liam Martin on an edge.
Tristan Hope (Development) - Hooker
Summary: Has been solid for the Magpies after a great start to the season for the WT in a pre-season trial & then debuting R1. Quite crafty at dummy half and can sniff out a try. Works very hard in defence too. Prone to a poor pass from dummy half & just seems to have gone off the boil in recent weeks. Noticeable difference in class when TDS has been playing.
Prospects: Good as a 3rd/4th string hooker at NRL level. If he can excel in the 2nd half of the season at Cup, he is a smokey for a top 30 depending on what the future holds with TDS but more likely another T&T (i.e. might be worth keeping as an experienced backup if TDS decided to move on in ’27 whilst Haywood develops).
Reuben Porter (Development) – Prop/2nd Row
Summary: Just a good experienced head to have in NSW Cup. Started the season in the backrow, demoted to bench, then has looked much better the last 3-4 weeks at prop. Ok metreage & less prone to miss tackles laterally in the middle
Prospects: NSW Cup contract at best if he decides to stay. NRL prospects look gone with us with others jumping him in the pecking order.
Jaxson Rahme (Train & Trial) – Prop/Lock
Summary: Arguably our most consistently good player in NSW Cup over the past month. Has been making an impact with increased minutes at prop, good metres including post-contact & strong in defence (missing few tackles). 95% tackle efficiency across 12 games. I’ve also noticed that our team seems to play better when he’s on the field too.
Prospects: If he keeps this form up, I’m not ruling out a NRL debut before the end of the season depending on injuries and possible development contract for ’26 (slight chance top 30). Seems to be a good type as a middle in Benji’s system – still only 21yo too.
Vaka Aho (Train & Trial) - Prop
Summary: Reportedly trained really well in the pre-season with the Magpies & rewarded as starting prop for the opening 8/9 matches for us before an untimely injury. Looked ok without being great in both attack & defence – one of our more impactful players in the early period of the season. Since returning from injury has found himself in Ron Massey Cup and seems to have dropped below Johannssen & Jayden Tanner which is a worry for him.
Prospects: Always thought he had potential but just struggling to make his mark at NSW Cup level. Only just out of Jersey Flegg so I’m sure he has development in him but I get the feel he’s just an Aitasi James type. I think Rahme & Taateo may limit his contract options with us.
Noah Johannssen (NSW Cup) - Prop
Summary: The 22yo has only really had limited opportunities in Cup this season. In 8 games, most of these off the bench for 20-30 mins. Like his brother, I think he needs longer minutes. When he did start against Penrith, he ran for over 100m with 50m+ post-contact and defensively he seemed tidy. Just lacks that bit of impact.
Prospects: May be NSW Cup contract at best. Could improve his game with a big pre-season in the gym but I feel he’s lower on the pecking order than others.
Peter Taateo (Contract status unknown) – Prop
Summary: Played 9 games this season in Cup with the Raiders predominantly in 20-30 mins off the bench. 2 games with us, to the eye he has provided impact & leg speed on both sides of the ball. One glaring poor effort to miss a hole runner in the last game against the Dogs, hopefully an anomaly. Just looks a type we lack.
Prospects: Looks an exciting prospect for our middle in NSW Cup over the 2nd half of the season. He could burst into calculations for a T&T or Dev deal or Top 30 if he shows more of what he shown in 2 games already. I just wonder why Raiders released him & before that he has left Panthers & Parra systems. Turns 23yo tomorrow.
