2023 Predicted Line-Ups

[Foordy]

If that side is rolled out, it is heading in the right direction for sure. I wouldn't be surprised if Laurie and Staines swapped though.

there were reports that the Tigers were thinking of moving Laurie to 5/8 so that Munster could play fullback ... if by some miracle they sign Munster

 

[Unbreakable]

Sure did.

I'm giving Nikorima the edge here since Bennett was a fan of the Milford/Nikorima combo towards the end of his stint at the Broncos. However I can see the Dolphins rotating their halves pairing frequently through out the season and O'Sullivan will feature there at some point (with Kodi going 14).

When the Dolphins signed Nikorima they went out of their way to say he'll be competing with JMK & Graham for the 9 spot. I'd say there's next to no chance he'll start in the halves.

Kodi coming home to be a Dolphin

Kodi Nikorima will become yet another foundation Dolphin who will return to Queensland to be part of the club’s entry to the NRL.

www.dolphinsnrl.com.au

 

[Big Pete]

When the Dolphins signed Nikorima they went out of their way to say he'll be competing with JMK & Graham for the 9 spot. I'd say there's next to no chance he'll start in the halves.

Kodi coming home to be a Dolphin

Kodi Nikorima will become yet another foundation Dolphin who will return to Queensland to be part of the club’s entry to the NRL.

www.dolphinsnrl.com.au

You don't think there's a chance of it next year? We'll see how O'Sullivan goes but I think they'll use Nikorima as a Mr. Fix It and he'll play a number of positions, not exclusively #9.

This wasn't necessarily a Round 1 team either, which is why I've got development players in the Dolphins line-up.

 

[Super Freak]

The Warriors really should be making the 8 with this roster.

They don't really have any excuses. They're a bit light in the front row, but that's becoming less important in the modern game.

 

[Sproj]

Really? That doesn't look much more than a workmanlike team to me unless I'm missing something. None of those players would be close to the best in their position and like us a year or two ago, mostly seem average to below average.

The only players that stand out as decent are Fonua-Blake, Curran and maybe TMM DWZ plus Kosi. The rest are either over the hill, average or coming back from long-term injuries.

That looks a pretty comfortable bottom 8 side to me based purely on paper.

 

[Financeguy]

Really? That doesn't look much more than a workmanlike team to me unless I'm missing something. None of those players would be close to the best in their position and like us a year or two ago, mostly seem average to below average.

The only players that stand out as decent are Fonua-Blake, Curran and maybe TMM DWZ plus Kosi. The rest are either over the hill, average or coming back from long-term injuries.

That looks a pretty comfortable bottom 8 side to me based purely on paper.

Agree, its an ok lineup but if that is a side that should be making the 8 by default the top 8 will be made up of about 12 teams.

 

[Super Freak]

Warriors lost a lot of close games (10 by 12 points or less) in 2022, they were let down a lot in the spine and coaching.

They have a style that's suited for the direction the modern game is heading in and they have recruited players that will fit into that style along with getting rid of some dead weight. They don't need the best players in their position, they just need good coaching, someone that can instill confidence. If the new coaching staff can provide that and with the added advantage of being based back in NZ, they'll be fine.

When they're clicking, they're a side that's shown they can beat anyone and go on a good run.

 

[Sproj]

Warriors lost a lot of close games (10 by 12 points or less) in 2022, they were let down a lot in the spine and coaching.

They have a style that's suited for the direction the modern game is heading in and they have recruited players that will fit into that style along with getting rid of some dead weight. They don't need the best players in their position, they just need good coaching, someone that can instill confidence. If the new coaching staff can provide that, they'll be fine.

When they're clicking, they're a side that's shown they can beat anyone and go on a good run.

When did they last show that though that they can go on a run? Three years ago? They have lost their only attacking threat in Walsh and haven't replaced him with anyone of note. CNK is over the hill, SJ is over the hill and TMM has been out of the game at 6 for a long time. In my opinion, they haven't really fixed their spine at all, have just shifted deckchairs by bringing in similar players with a downgrade on a 1 that despite all his potential, was already a significant downgrade on RTS. In addition, the coaching team is a total unknown, there is no way at all you can confidently say they will get it right from the get go. They might, but you wouldn't bank on it.

Plus, the points you've made literally apply to pretty much any team in the comp as any team can go on a run at some point, look at us this year.

But purely based on paper, this is a below average side.

 

[ZTop]

I personally thought when I saw their squad the other day it was pretty well balanced.

I think we know te Marie is a good player, and he will be a good influence on the team that tends to be a yippish. I think he will work well with sj.

If cnk has an uninterrupted pre season he will suprise a few people, he's had a few injury affected years and there is still life in him.

Niukure is a very good backrower and him and Barnett will give the team a more hard edge, make the team more brutal. Jackson ford looks a very solid player, and should be a good buy.

Plus when you chuck in Dylan Walker, you get a well balanced team with NZ flair, NZ toughness and a lot of maturity. They recruited a number of leaders and that should really help. Like most nrl teams they are really lacking a number 9.

The other issue is obviously depth, but there really isn't too many teams in the league that have good depth.

 

[BroncsFan]

I don't necessarily think their back 5 will contribute a whole lot to the yardage game, which is a big requirement nowadays.

I'd also suggest there's a lack of speed in their spine with TMM and CNK never really known for having that explosive game, and SJ looking pretty broken last year.

They could run Volkman with CNK moving to centre... having more calm heads around him could assist his development.

 

[Fitzy]

I don't necessarily think their back 5 will contribute a whole lot to the yardage game, which is a big requirement nowadays.

I'd also suggest there's a lack of speed in their spine with TMM and CNK never really known for having that explosive game, and SJ looking pretty broken last year.

They could run Volkman with CNK moving to centre... having more calm heads around him could assist his development.

Warriors is a really intriguing one cause they have CNK, TMM, Metcalf, Volkman and SJ who can all realistically play in the spine if they play/train well. I have a unique side but I think it could work.

1. Te Maire Martin
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Charnze Nicole-Klokstad
4. Rocco Berry
5. Villiami Vailea
6. Luke Metcalf
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Wayde Egan
10. Tohu Harris
11. Marata Niukore
12. Josh Curran
13. Mitch Barnett
14. Dylan Walker
15. Jazz Tevaga
16. Bunty Afoa
17. Bayley Sironen

 

[BroncsFan]

Warriors is a really intriguing one cause they have CNK, TMM, Metcalf, Volkman and SJ who can all realistically play in the spine if they play/train well. I have a unique side but I think it could work.

1. Te Maire Martin
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Charnze Nicole-Klokstad
4. Rocco Berry
5. Villiami Vailea
6. Luke Metcalf
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Wayde Egan
10. Tohu Harris
11. Marata Niukore
12. Josh Curran
13. Mitch Barnett
14. Dylan Walker
15. Jazz Tevaga
16. Bunty Afoa
17. Bayley Sironen

I forgot about Metcalf... I did like the look of him when he got some games with Sharks... I believe he was also a star junior coming through Manly?? but had some knee injuries derail him for awhile.

I think he can also play fullback? If so he could be a reasonably similar player to Walsh for them back there with TMM in the halves.

One of the big things for them is that they'll be back in NZ again.

They can definitely throw up a stinker over there, but they'll also come out of nowhere and play like world beaters. Having to travel to Auckland for the 6:00pm Friday game in June, when it's more than likely pissing down rain, is probably up there as one of the harder road trips regardless of the warriors form.

I think their recruitment has been quite good... and they're in a bit of a settling period after some of the ridiculous contracts they threw out (Lodge, $800k on DWZ or whatever it is, etc.).

If they can get enough strike and yardage out of their backs and find an attacking spark in their spine to build around, then I think they can go alright.

 

[Xzei]

Probably an asterisk next to josh currans name you would think all things considered.also would have thought berry would be somewhere in the 17

 

[Big Pete]

Warriors
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Marcelo Montoya 5. Edward Kosi 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnston 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Tohu Harris 11. Jackson Ford 11. Mitchell Barnett 12. Josh Curran 13. Jazz Tevaga 13. Marata Niukore

14. Dylan Walker 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Aaron Pene 16. Ben Murdoch Masila 17. Bailey Sironen 17. Jazz Tevaga

Rookie - Otu Kepu

Off to a good start here, BMM and Otu have both been released.

Not sure what to make of the Warriors. They've gone through some serious upheaval and it seems like they're just releasing players left right and centre. I'll be very surprised if we see a settled line-up this season and expect the side to look very different in the back half of the season.

 

[theshed]

What do you make of Taupau @Big Pete ? Where does he fit in the broncos line up and how do you rate him?

 

[Sproj]

Off to a good start here, BMM and Otu have both been released.

Not sure what to make of the Warriors. They've gone through some serious upheaval and it seems like they're just releasing players left right and centre. I'll be very surprised if we see a settled line-up this season and expect the side to look very different in the back half of the season.

In fairness to you, they have a new coach and they always results in roster shake ups.

 

[Big Pete]

What do you make of Taupau @Big Pete ? Where does he fit in the broncos line up and how do you rate him?

I don't think he's the style of player the Broncos need. Their biggest weakness is their inability to control the ruck which also happens to be Marty's. Still, the Broncos were looking short on depth and it's always handy to have a player who has 222 NRL games and 33 Internationals worth of experience. Particularly during the Origin period when Brisbane could be without Haas, Carrigan and Flegler.

So not necessarily excited for the Broncos, but it's a responsible signing all the same.

I see Marty on the bench and he'll have a chance to impress right away. It'll be a trial by fire, but if he plays as well as Palasia did to open last season, he'll keep his spot.

 

[Mustafur]

I know this is a broncos thread so I don't want to keep it too off topic but Warriors have to have TMM at fullback, he is a stable head that they badly need in the position and could do wonders for them, their halves are weak though so they will probably be too tempted to put him in 6 with SJ, I think that would be a mistake.