Round 1 team so far in 2026

Frank Facer

Frank Facer

SGI Jersey Flegg
GCRV said:
So what are your thoughts on the round 1 team Frank?
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I probably would have started with Kyle and Atkinson in my halves, but with Liddle being out, that means a rethink. We need to carry an extra dummy half on the bench, as I don't see Cook as an 80 minute hooker anymore and I don't know of any other good dummy half options. I would like to see how O'Neil goes in the trials and whoever performs best out of him and LKT would be in my halves with Atikinson. I don't see Atkinson or LTK as halfbacks, I see them as 5/8's. O'Neil may be the best halfback we have or maybe Reed will be the best halfback we have by the end of the year.

Fale and Tu are reported to be training on one wing each and are said to have the inside running for each wing position. Tuipulotu was playing very well on the wing last year, but had more than one hamstring injury. He also isn't a very fast winger, but is good for hit ups. I thought he would be the first winger chosen. I haven't seen anything of Tu and only a highlights reel of Fale. Tu is 27 or 28 years old while I think Fale is 25, so neither of them are really youngsters. I would rather we be looking at youngsters with upside to blood on the wings.

I would probably be looking at something like

1 Gutho
2 Tuipulotu if fit
3 Holmes
4 Suli
5 Fale/Tu
6 LTK/Atkinson
7 Atkinson/O'Neil
13 Stewart
12 S'ua
11 Leilua
10 T Couchman
9 Cook
8 Guler

14 Kyle
15 Kerr
16 Pasifiki Tonga
17 R Couchman/Halangahu

After writing it. If I was coach I would even consider starting with Halangahu at second row and having Leilua on the bench to come on and play prop or lock, but I expect Leilua to start the season as one of our secondrowers. I think edge backrowers should be able to play 80 minutes. Halangahu looked to handle first grade last year and should take improvement from last year's game time. I am not convinced of Guler and would be hoping R Couchman can take his place during the season. Kerr was underwhelming last time he was with us, but can provide impact off the bench. By next year, Pasifiki Tonga will be more seasoned, the Couchman brothers a year older and more seasoned and the addition of Koloamatangi will mean we have a strong prop rotation, but this year, I still think we aren't very strong in that department.
 
jodragon40

jodragon40

Staff
Frank Facer said:
I probably would have started with Kyle and Atkinson in my halves, but with Liddle being out, that means a rethink. We need to carry an extra dummy half on the bench, as I don't see Cook as an 80 minute hooker anymore and I don't know of any other good dummy half options. I would like to see how O'Neil goes in the trials and whoever performs best out of him and LKT would be in my halves with Atikinson. I don't see Atkinson or LTK as halfbacks, I see them as 5/8's. O'Neil may be the best halfback we have or maybe Reed will be the best halfback we have by the end of the year.

Fale and Tu are reported to be training on one wing each and are said to have the inside running for each wing position. Tuipulotu was playing very well on the wing last year, but had more than one hamstring injury. He also isn't a very fast winger, but is good for hit ups. I thought he would be the first winger chosen. I haven't seen anything of Tu and only a highlights reel of Fale. Tu is 27 or 28 years old while I think Fale is 25, so neither of them are really youngsters. I would rather we be looking at youngsters with upside to blood on the wings.

I would probably be looking at something like

1 Gutho
2 Tuipulotu if fit
3 Holmes
4 Suli
5 Fale/Tu
6 LTK/Atkinson
7 Atkinson/O'Neil
13 Stewart
12 S'ua
11 Leilua
10 T Couchman
9 Cook
8 Guler

14 Kyle
15 Kerr
16 Pasifiki Tonga
17 R Couchman/Halangahu

After writing it. If I was coach I would even consider starting with Halangahu at second row and having Leilua on the bench to come on and play prop or lock, but I expect Leilua to start the season as one of our secondrowers. I think edge backrowers should be able to play 80 minutes. Halangahu looked to handle first grade last year and should take improvement from last year's game time. I am not convinced of Guler and would be hoping R Couchman can take his place during the season. Kerr was underwhelming last time he was with us, but can provide impact off the bench. By next year, Pasifiki Tonga will be more seasoned, the Couchman brothers a year older and more seasoned and the addition of Koloamatangi will mean we have a strong prop rotation, but this year, I still think we aren't very strong in that department.
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I think the prop rotation will be Guler, Sele, Kerr and Couchman be interesting to see who is in the run on team or earns the right to be in the run on team for round 1
 
Frank Facer

Frank Facer

SGI Jersey Flegg
jodragon40 said:
I think the prop rotation will be Guler, Sele, Kerr and Couchman be interesting to see who is in the run on team or earns the right to be in the run on team for round 1
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It is like I completely forget about Sele. Maybe he will be there ahead of Pasifiki Tonga. I hold high hopes for Pasifiki Tonga. He debuted last year aged 19. That is a good sign. Lawrie doesn't even enter the equation for me.
 
RedV01

RedV01

SGI NSW Cup
redv13 said:
My Round 1 squad of 22 for Vegas barring any issues in the trials.

1. Gutho
2. Tuipolotu
3. Holmes
4. Suli
5. Fale
6. Flanagan
7. Atkinson
8. Sele
9. Cook
10. T Couchman
11. Leilua
12. Sua
13. Stewart
14. LKT
15. Kerr
16. R Couchman
17. Guler
18. LPT
19. Halangahu
20. Tsougranis
21. Feagai
22. Sloan
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I think this is what Flanno wants. ANYTHING to avoid having Kyle play in the position Flanno says he was recruited to play.
 
jodragon40

jodragon40

Staff
TSP said:
That’s a serious question and I like it.

I wonder if I can find any odds on it?

If I’ve got a rumour about a player from another club, where should I post that?
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Start a new thread or if you believe that he is being targeted by us, then there is already a thread called Retention
 
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