Junior Reps 2026

[Mailroomsgi]

Interesting to see where Asher Chapman ends up positionally 3 years from now. blokes a Human Swiss Army knife but you have to get Coelho in there somehow

Glad to see Kruz Efarimo back, my ideal backline is what it is currently but Xavier Laidlaw in there for Preston Sager

 

[Mug Fan]

Excellent, this is what I was after for Steelers HM, if we are are any chance to go deep in finals, we need Chapman, Coehlo, Burton in the spine.. and Fletcher @13 is rly the only option for him, hes a very big body and obviously they have decided hes not going to make it in the halves... and Api can do his thing from prop, hes our best middle.. Fangupo 2nd best imo but Api is elite level and probably a year older.

The 6. or 7. on the back we shall see tbh.. tbh I dont know who has the better kicking game.. but rly you want Coehlo kicking from dummy half at every opportunity.

View attachment 976

Darcy Kuz and Asher back probably our best line up.

Interesting to see where Asher Chapman ends up positionally 3 years from now. blokes a Human Swiss Army knife but you have to get Coelho in there somehow

Glad to see Kruz Efarimo back, my ideal backline is what it is currently but Xavier Laidlaw in there for Preston Sager

Xavier hasn't stepped up in Matts or Johns he was ahead of Destin last year, now Destin on fire

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Yeah fair point on Xavier, I just think with his frame + what I’ve seen him do previously that he’s part of the best backline

Looks like a confidence thing with him + not used to playing on the wing perhaps?

 

[TheRev]

Had to go back and check my notes on Laidlaw as I didn't rly remember him... it looks like he only played 2 games in Round 3 & 4 (Steelers HM).... I do remember I got a bit cranky with him in that Round 4 game, my notes were:

• Far out Parra for their attacking 5th tackle kick.. from about 15m out, bombs high to land on his wingers chest , like its a 30m kick.. you never see that stuff.. our winger Laidlaw is left grasping for air, completely misjudged everything about defending either the kick or his man.

• This #2 Laidlaw.. doing plenty of work and a strong runner.. but too slow to turn around which becoming an issue.. I wonder if he's actually a ctr.. seems like he has the build for that, but Tausala is the gun ctr prospect inside him.

• Burned a few opportunities here, Burton taking some risky plays and Couchman cut down from behind.. bit disappointing to give possession back... and we're punished too with Laidlaw being beaten 1on1 by his opposite winger again

• Back attacking their line and Fitzgerald has dropped it cold catching the dummy half pass... but thankfully the Eels do the same 2 tackles later and we have a scrum on their line.. cant capitalise.. eels go the length, same old story they sort of create a 3on2 and Laidlaw goes for the intercept and leaves the winger free in the corner.. not strictly his fault by I have such a disdain for big wingers for this reason, need guys who can change direction rapidly.

I think I had assumed that with his body type he is probably a centre being asked to play wing.. some of them can adjust no probs.. I dont think Laidlaw is one such player... not if we have other options.. perhaps if Tausala wasnt in the squad he would have that left ctr jersey?

As for Sager, hes had 2 average games in recent weeks.. was strong early season.. I wouldnt write him off, his frame is great for a big strong tall winger.. pretty quick.. can dive ok for a finish... but did get caught out last weekend being unable to turn quickly (my pet hate).. has pulled off some great defensive plays this season also...

 

[puff]

Interesting to see where Asher Chapman ends up positionally 3 years from now. blokes a Human Swiss Army knife but you have to get Coelho in there somehow

Glad to see Kruz Efarimo back, my ideal backline is what it is currently but Xavier Laidlaw in there for Preston Sager

I think Chapman will be a 9, but your swiss army knife comment makes me think he would have been a perfect 14 on the old 4 man bench. What is funny about this HM team is that Chapman has played hooker, halves, and lock already and that he is probably their best player at all of these positions.

 

[puff]

Excellent, this is what I was after for Steelers HM, if we are are any chance to go deep in finals, we need Chapman, Coehlo, Burton in the spine.. and Fletcher @13 is rly the only option for him, hes a very big body and obviously they have decided hes not going to make it in the halves... and Api can do his thing from prop, hes our best middle.. Fangupo 2nd best imo but Api is elite level and probably a year older.

The 6. or 7. on the back we shall see tbh.. tbh I dont know who has the better kicking game.. but rly you want Coehlo kicking from dummy half at every opportunity.

View attachment 976

So far in the halves they have played Couchman and Fitzgerald then Couchman and Chapman (both combos r1), Lewis and Couchman (r2,3), Lewis and Fitzgerald (r4,5). Lewis and Chapman would be the 5th combo in 6 games! And that's for a team that has won 4 out of 5. They have also rotated other positions. It will be interesting to see how they actually line up on Saturday. They have often not lined up 1-13 in the first 5 games.