Round 2 team 2026

[orange&black]

I like Murray coming on 10 mins each side of halftime giving Api a break and lifting our D in the middle at a time when we are often vulnerable in games. I think Hunt needs to show something before he steps in ahead of Sione or Seyfarth in the 17 for the first few weeks. Don’t mind Skelton and Madden as the 18 and 19.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

very true. would anticipate they'll get flogged for a couple more weeks with scrimmages at the end of each week before they take the foot off the gas next weekend and move into the week to week schedule.

really curious to see how fit they're looking come 3:05pm Saturday 14 March.

Thankfully it's at L.O. that should help the boys, not like last time we had the 1st round bye and first game for us was down in Canberra.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I think Benji will likely run with...

1. Bula
2. Makasini
3. May
4. To'a
5. Turuva
6. Luai
7. Doueihi
8. Afoa
9. Koroisau
10. May
11. Sa. Fainu
12. Pearce-Paul
13. Twal

14. Murray
15. Pole
16. Hunt
17. Seyfarth
18. Skelton / L. Laulili'i
19. Madden

How can you leave Sione out of the 17?
And the perennial show pony, Hunt in the mix?

 

[jrtiger]

How can you leave Sione out of the 17?
And the perennial show pony, Hunt in the mix?

this isn't reflective of my opinion, it's what I think Benji's going to run with.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

I think Benji will likely run with...

1. Bula
2. Makasini
3. May
4. To'a
5. Turuva
6. Luai
7. Doueihi
8. Afoa
9. Koroisau
10. May
11. Sa. Fainu
12. Pearce-Paul
13. Twal

14. Murray
15. Pole
16. Hunt
17. Seyfarth
18. Skelton / L. Laulili'i
19. Madden

I reckon that team is spot on the team benji will pick.

 

[Oldman]

How are you judging on form?
Who else is infront of him with a 6 man bench?

These days you need 4-5 props.

Hunt, Bunty, Pole, May & Sione should cover rotation - Sione can cover prop and backrow.

Hunt or Bunty is a like for like swap so we should avoid having them on at the same time swap them over.

Watched them play last year,
And in my opinion Hunt was way below the others, and yes he might look fitter this preseason but he had all last year too put the effort in and chose not too.
Play him in reserve grade and get a look at his attitude this year.

 

[Oldman]

Has Andrews played any centre at all ?
could he play in centre this year blooding into first grade as a centre he seems big enough

Big ask defensively

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Big ask defensively

I know it is but geez he looks talented. Benji spent time early.in his career in centres from memory ?

 

[Oldman]

I know it is but geez he looks talented. Benji spent time early.in his career in centres from memory ?

Not saying he couldn’t handle the defence in the centres, just don’t want to be learning that in the top grade.

 

[Jolls]

I know it is but geez he looks talented. Benji spent time early.in his career in centres from memory ?

That did wonders for his defence! 🤣 🤣 🤣

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

Big ask defensively

he would be next to a good defender in KPP.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Madden be used as a utility option

Back up kicker also in case AD goes down

 

[Odessa]

Madden be used as a utility option

Back up kicker also in case AD goes down

Big Mac kicks goals so don't see why he can not be backup

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

if Andrews get in the 19 he can kick goals and cover 6 if needed and AD or Luai can go to 7

 

[Chunk]

If all players are available for selection except for Latu Fainu, I think it’s a clear cut 21 man squad, that will need to be trimmed to 19.

1. Bula
2.Turuva
3. To’a
4. Taylan May
5. Makasini
6. Luai
7. Doueihi
13. Teal
12. Pearce-Paul
11. Samuela Fainu
10. Afoa
9. Korisau
8. Terrell May

14. Hope or Madden
15. Sione Fainu
16. Pole
17. Hunt
18. Seyfarth
19. Skelton
20. Murray
21. Madden or Hope

** If KPP is unavailable for round 2 I would definately be starting Sione Fainu on the right edge which would mean Seyfarth would definately need to be in the 17 as I don’t think Sione would be ready to play a strong 80mins on an edge so early in the season.

Yeah this is about right.

Maybe Seyfarth over Hunt for the first game, considering fitness and the heat?

I'd have Hope before Madden to play DH, he has experience and shown in the trials he's ready to go.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Big Mac kicks goals so don't see why he can not be backup

At this stage keep it simple, just score tries stomp over players and do his job

 

[Lestronge]

I sneakily think Skelton gets the nod on the wing to start round 2 . Not because I want it to be , but I think it will be way for the club to pour cold water over the Makasini hype . The nrl zeitgeist overvalues tigers juniors something fierce , and props them up like no other team in the nrl .
It does nothing for Makasini as a player , and only brings undue expectations about living up to bullshit comparisons like Lote Tuqiri or Israel Folau or worse Jonah Lomu .
All players in most people’s top 20 rugby/rugby league backs of all time .
I thought Romey made some poignant observations when interviewed about Makasini after the Penrith game , where he was reluctant to rap him, and hyper focused on keeping his head grounded but as well as slowing the hype train around him .

 

[Jolls]

I sneakily think Skelton gets the nod on the wing to start round 2 . Not because I want it to be , but I think it will be way for the club to pour cold water over the Makasini hype . The nrl zeitgeist overvalues tigers juniors something fierce , and props them up like no other team in the nrl .
It does nothing for Makasini as a player , and only brings undue expectations about living up to bullshit comparisons like Lote Tuqiri or Israel Folau or worse Jonah Lomu .
All players in most people’s top 20 rugby/rugby league backs of all time .
I thought Romey made some poignant observations when interviewed about Makasini after the Penrith game , where he was reluctant to rap him, and hyper focused on keeping his head grounded but as well as slowing the hype train around him .

Good Call

 

[innsaneink]

this isn't reflective of my opinion, it's what I think Benji's going to run with.

Why do you think hell leave Sione out completely?
Id be very surprised

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I sneakily think Skelton gets the nod on the wing to start round 2 . Not because I want it to be , but I think it will be way for the club to pour cold water over the Makasini hype . The nrl zeitgeist overvalues tigers juniors something fierce , and props them up like no other team in the nrl .
It does nothing for Makasini as a player , and only brings undue expectations about living up to bullshit comparisons like Lote Tuqiri or Israel Folau or worse Jonah Lomu .
All players in most people’s top 20 rugby/rugby league backs of all time .
I thought Romey made some poignant observations when interviewed about Makasini after the Penrith game , where he was reluctant to rap him, and hyper focused on keeping his head grounded but as well as slowing the hype train around him .

Mmm, on the fence here mate it's a dilemma that's for sure, do you pick your best team which from trial form you couldn't leave out Makasini or do you leave him out of the spotlight that's been created for a while in case he has a swelled head that needs to come back to normal size or the pressure forming too early on the kid.

The paradox forming here will give some potential headaches.