From Foxsport
Bennett’s big reality check as Grand Final giants left with glaring voids: Every pack ranked 1-17
A strong forward pack has never been more important in rugby league.
The competition’s elite boast a top-tier hooker and several powerhouse players ready to break down their opponent’s defence.
NRL clubs are willing to splash the cash to secure the best big men on the market.
Gun backrower David Fifita, Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo and Broncos superstar Payne Haas have all been handed multi-million dollar deal.
Meanwhile, young gun Jeremiah Nanai is set to join the million dollar club with huge offers being tabled for the 19-year-old star.
High-profile names including Viliame Kikau and Kenny Bromwich will also join their new clubs and the NRL’s newest franchise enters the fold.
17. DRAGONS
Round 1 predicted starting pack: 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack de Belin 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird
Full pack: Jack Bird, Billy Burns, Jack de Belin, Tyrell Fuimaono, Jaiyden Hunt, Josh Kerr, Blake Lawrie, Andrew McCullough, Francis Molo, Michael Molo, Zane Musgrove, Jaydn Su’A, Aaron Woods, Nick Lui-Toso, Jacob Liddle, Jayden Sullivan
Ins: Zane Musgrove (Wests Tigers), Nick Lui-Toso (Northen Pride)
Outs: Jackson Ford (Warriors), George Burgess (released), Poasa Faamausili (Dolphins), Jack Gosiewski (Cowboys)
Analysis: The Dragons have lost a significant amount of depth due to the departures of Jackson Ford, George Burgess, Poasa Faamausili and Jack Gosiewski.
Following Andrew McCullough’s retirement, the Red V went about signing a hooker and were able to secure Jacob Liddle.
The 26-year-old was solid in patches for the Tigers but will be desperate to secure the No.9 jersey under Anthony Griffin, but could fight it out with young gun Jayden Sullivan.
Meanwhile, the ever-present Blake Lawrie, Jack de Belin and Jaydn Su’A will be heavily relied upon.
Francis Molo will miss the first two games of the 2022 season for an ugly clothesline tackle, giving new signing Zane Musgrove a chance to stake his claim on the prop slot from Round 1.
Gun utility Jack Bird was shifted around the team in 2022, plugging holes that arose due to injuries, but the dynamic forward will be hoping to find a consistent position next season.
The Dragons recorded the most sin bins of any team last season and also topped the league for missed tackles.
16. DOLPHINS
Round 1 predicted starting pack: 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert
Full pack: Euan Aitken, Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, JJ Collins, Herman Ese’ese, Poasa Faamausili, Tom Gilbert, Felise Kaufusi, Connelly Lemuelu, Jeremy Marshall-King, Mark Nicholls, Ray Stone, Jarrod Wallace
Analysis: Wayne Bennett has made some savvy business decisions in his forward pack, signing experienced players across the board.
Storm trio Kenny Bromwich, Jesse Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi have a combined 684 games of NRL experience.
Throw in the mix Mark Nicholls, young gun Tom Gilbert, Euan Aitken, Ray Stone, Jarrod Wallace and the Dolphins have the makings of a solid pack.
Former Bulldog Jeremy Marshall-King had a career-best season in 2022 and scored five tries to go with four try assists.
Rising star Connelly Lemuelu also looks to be a solid NRL prospect, playing 24 games across three seasons with the Cowboys.
While Bennett is yet to secure a marquee man, his forward pack should provide his outside backs with the room to move.
15. WARRIORS
Round 1 predicted starting pack: 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Tohu Harris 11. Marata Niukore 12. Josh Curran 13. Mitch Barnett
Full pack: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Mitchell Barnett, Josh Curran, Wayde Egan, Addin Fonua-Blake, Jackson Ford, Tohu Harris, Otukinekina Kepu, Valingi Kepu, Freddy Lussick, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Marata Niukore, Taniela Otukolo, Bayley Sironen, Brayden Wiliame, Dylan Walker, Jazz Tevaga
Ins: Marata Niukore (Eels), Mitchell Barnett (Knights), Jackson Ford (Dragons), Dylan Walker (Sea Eagles), Brayden Wiliame (Perpignan)
Outs: Euan Aitken (Dolphins), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Aaron Pene (Storm), Jack Murchie (Eels)
Analysis: The Warriors have made vast improvements to their forward pack with two key signings for the 2023 season.
Marata Niukore and Mitchell Barnett will be important signings for incoming coach Andrew Webster.
Niukore will likely take a place on an edge, while Barnett can make the lock position his own as Tohu Harris played at prop for the majority of his 2022 campaign.
One of the competition’s premier front rowers, Addin Fonua-Blake, remains in the scrum with Josh Curran and Wayde Egan completing the pack.
In 2022, the Warriors conceded the most tries of any team to go with the most points and Webster will be desperate to improve New Zealand’s weak defence.
The former Panthers assistant also has a headache surrounding the make-up of his bench, with Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, the Kepu twins, Freddy Lussick, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Taniela Otuokolo, Brayden Wiliame, and Bayley Sironen fighting it out for three spots as Dylan Walker slots into the utility role.
14. TITANS
Round 1 predicted starting pack: 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark
Full pack: Jacob Alick, Tanah Boyd, Erin Clark, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor, David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika, Klese Haas, Jaimin Jolliffe, Isaac Liu, Sam McIntyre, Joe Stimson, Sam Verrills, Joseph Vuna
Ins: Sam Verrills (Roosters), Joe Stimson (Bulldogs)
Outs: Jarrod Wallace (Dolphins), Herman Ese’ese (Dolphins), Sam Lisone (released)
Analysis: The Titans struggled as a team in 2022 but have made one important signing in Roosters dummy-half Sam Verrills.
Erin Clark started the year as the club’s hooker but soon found a home at lock as Justin Holbrook swapped between ruckmen.
Verrills, 23, is already a premiership winner with 48 games under his belt and will be tasked with steering a talented pack around the ground.
David Fifita struggled for form in 2022 and Gold Coast’s success is heavily influenced by his form in the backrow.
Moeaki Fotuaika was also below his usual standards, but isn’t all doom and gloom at the Titans.
In his first season as skipper, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui showed heart and determination while Beau Fermor was awarded for an impressive year with a call-up to Billy Slater’s Maroons squad.
The Titans clearly have all the building blocks, but Holbrook’s men just need to put it together.
13. TIGERS
Round 1 predicted starting pack: 8. Alex Twal 9. Api Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Shawn Blore 13. Joe Ofahengaue
Full pack: Shawn Blore, Sione Fainu, Apisai Koroisau, Justin Matamua, Rua Ngatikaura, Joe Ofahengaue, Isaiah Papali’I, Fonua Pole, Alex Seyfarth, Tuki Simpkins, Brandon Tumeth, Alex Twal, Stefano Utoikamanu, Jake Simpkin, David Klemmer
Ins: Apisai Koroisau (Panthers), Isaiah Papali’i (Eels), David Klemmer (Knights)
Outs: Luke Garner (Panthers), Kelma Tuilagi (Sea Eagles), Zane Musgrove (Dragons), James Tamou (Cowboys), Jackson Hastings (Knights)
Analysis: Coach Tim Sheens, alongside Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah, have a much improved forward pack for the 2023 season.
The Tigers have recruited one of the NRL’s elite hookers in Apisai Koroisau and gun backrower Isaiah Papali’i.
However, it remains to be seen if those two stars can spark the misfiring merger club’s pack who have been disappointing in seasons gone by.
Alex Twal is set to return at prop after suffering two concussions within three games which saw him sidelined since Round 15.
Joe Ofahengaue played lock for majority of the season and after Jackson Hastings’ departure will likely wear the No.13 jersey once again.
Meanwhile, young gun Shawn Blore, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in pre-season, could line-up in the backrow if the Tigers miss out on former Raiders gun John Bateman.
Bateman has been heavily linked to a move back to Australia, while Eels outcast Nathan Brown could also return to Leichhardt.
Add in rising stars Fonua Pole and Stefano Utoikamanu off the bench and the Tigers will likely improve in 2023.