General Your 2025 team

[wizard of Tauranga]

There is a lot of versatility in the side, particularly in the backline. My opinion and thoughts are based on the general gameplan I think we should be playing. It's my belief that we can't have Egan playing 80 minutes, and that we need to utilise all our bench options more with better gametime for each of them. I'm not a fan of significant reshuffling of the side just to give a player a rest during the game. I also wouldn't be carrying a player like TMM on the bench who would be unlikely to get much gametime unless injuries occurred and we needed to reshuffle. Basically, we should be picking the side based on the gameplan and utilising the bench more. There is enough versatility in the side if we carry a hooker/utility on the bench to be able to cover most potential injuries if they occur, without having to specifically carry a player on the bench just for that sake.

I think versatility is a negative after a certain point.

Players need to build combinations and specialise in a role. To much chopping and changing and players playing everywhere last season was the reason we were so disjointed and struggled for attacking cohesion.

 

[Noitall]

There is a lot of versatility in the side, particularly in the backline. My opinion and thoughts are based on the general gameplan I think we should be playing. It's my belief that we can't have Egan playing 80 minutes, and that we need to utilise all our bench options more with better gametime for each of them. I'm not a fan of significant reshuffling of the side just to give a player a rest during the game. I also wouldn't be carrying a player like TMM on the bench who would be unlikely to get much gametime unless injuries occurred and we needed to reshuffle. Basically, we should be picking the side based on the gameplan and utilising the bench more. There is enough versatility in the side if we carry a hooker/utility on the bench to be able to cover most potential injuries if they occur, without having to specifically carry a player on the bench just for that sake.

You could make the same argument that you did regarding TMM not getting much time as the bench hooker that was carried and not used when Egan got through games last year. I personally would roll the dice with Egan in that we look to have a really sharp backup in Healey if Egan is expected to play 80 minutes, but it doesn’t happen for whatever reason and Egan is out for a period but if there’s a thinking that Healey can come on and add impact, I’d go with that. Either way you’re bench is often going to require reshuffling unless a player comes on in a like for like position and I thought having TMM at fullback and having 3 playmakers on the field might be something that could be worth persevering with to happen during games in a sub role. Opposition was to to judge, but our attack certainly looked a lot better than recent times for it

 

[Inruin]

I think versatility is a negative after a certain point.

Players need to build combinations and specialise in a role. To much chopping and changing and players playing everywhere last season was the reason we were so disjointed and struggled for attacking cohesion.

forced through long term injuries and having to reshuffle the team.

I'm specifically talking about whether we need to carry a utility/hooker on the bench to cover Egan as part of our bench make up and whether it is wise to carry a player on the bench predominantly to cover any in game injury if they occur.

When I am talking about versatility in this instance, if we went with a team like the below we have players that could cover nearly every eventuality of an injury in a game without specifically carrying a player that gets minimal, if any, gametime just to cover for an injury if it did occur (two or more becomes even trickier but manageable):

1

TMM

2

RTS

3

CNK

4

Leiataua

5

Tuapiki

6

CHT

7

Metcalf

8

JFH

9

Egan

10

Barnett

11

Capewell

12

Laban

13

Clark

14

Walker

15

Vaimauga

16

Niukore

17

Healey

Create your own team formation

 

[Naynay]

It’s a great question.
I would feel a lot more confident with Healey on the bench.
I also think Healey can do a job in the middle, his defence has been a surprise with his physicality.
So you could have Healey coming off the bench into the middle if Egans going fine.
It does leave us a bit light on the bench with Walker as well though.

I have seen alot of the players say healy is surprisingly large, I dont mind it as a can drop him in for a second rower or middle.

Alternatively we have to remember that the 2 hooker rotation is still popular especially with a hooker like Egan who isn't a just good service and tackler. If we want a hooker who can create opportunities and be a threat we have to accept he will probably need a rest for atleast the middle part of the game.

 

[Inruin]

You could make the same argument that you did regarding TMM not getting much time as the bench hooker that was carried and not used when Egan got through games last year. I personally would roll the dice with Egan in that we look to have a really sharp backup in Healey if Egan is expected to play 80 minutes, but it doesn’t happen for whatever reason and Egan is out for a period but if there’s a thinking that Healey can come on and add impact, I’d go with that. Either way you’re bench is often going to require reshuffling unless a player comes on in a like for like position and I thought having TMM at fullback and having 3 playmakers on the field might be something that could be worth persevering with to happen during games in a sub role. Opposition was to to judge, but our attack certainly looked a lot better than recent times for it

Yes, which is why I'm advocating for better use and gametime given to our bench. Last season was a great example of why we need to do this, in my opinion.

 

[Riz]

For balance of the bench I'd really rather we didn't carry a specialist 9. I think we need Egan playing 80 if we are going to be successful this season. We have enough utility in the 17 to cover him if needed, CHT could go to Hooker, CNK into 6, Taine to FB, Push Leka in the Centres and Pompey to the wing.

I just want a bigger bench that what we've been used to seeing in recent years. Would love Tom Ale at 13 early in the game and have a really dynamic bench of Demetric, Walker, Clark and Marata. Leka starts on an edge.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

forced through long term injuries and having to reshuffle the team.

I'm specifically talking about whether we need to carry a utility/hooker on the bench to cover Egan as part of our bench make up and whether it is wise to carry a player on the bench predominantly to cover any in game injury if they occur.

When I am talking about versatility in this instance, if we went with a team like the below we have players that could cover nearly every eventuality of an injury in a game without specifically carrying a player that gets minimal, if any, gametime just to cover for an injury if it did occur (two or more becomes even trickier but manageable):

1

TMM

2

RTS

3

CNK

4

Leiataua

5

Tuapiki

6

CHT

7

Metcalf

8

JFH

9

Egan

10

Barnett

11

Capewell

12

Laban

13

Clark

14

Walker

15

Vaimauga

16

Niukore

17

Healey

Create your own team formation

A few versatile players is good

But from your team every player except JFH, Egan, Barnett and Capewell has been talked about playing various positions.

Most teams would have 10 of their 13 absolutely locked in and playing the same position for several seasons in a row.

This is more than the starting team, it’s a recruitment strategy around versatility.

 

[Inruin]

A few versatile players is good

But from your team every player except JFH, Egan, Barnett and Capewell has been talked about playing various positions.

Most teams would have 10 of their 13 absolutely locked in and playing the same position for several seasons in a row.

This is more than the starting team, it’s a recruitment strategy around versatility.

No, I don't agree. There is a difference between moving around players between positions during the season and having players in positions that can be moved around. Last season we had so many injuries, the most in the competition or close to it, which necessitated playing many out of position from what they were originally starting the season at.

2023 we had the similar versatility but not required as much because we weren't hit as hard with injuries across as many players/positions.

We also haven't been like most teams due to COVID and playing away from home, having limited pathways set up because of this, having to borrow players to put a team out on the field etc. We are starting to see some stability there now though.

The key for me is getting our best players on to the field and having enough versatility that if an in game injury occurs we can adapt and cover for it.

 

[Noitall]

Yes, which is why I'm advocating for better use and gametime given to our bench. Last season was a great example of why we need to do this, in my opinion.

There’s been a few clubs carrying outside backs on their bench for the last couple of seasons, but my thinking regarding carrying TMM comes from Metcalf being a potential injury worry like Egan. Hopefully both get through unscathed, but I don’t see Walker as being able to slot into the halves if required anymore and think TMM could be handy cover, but also think there could be a game plan developed with him at fullback to negate a wasted bench spot in how our attack looked more threatening. Sort of like how Ponga was replaced by Kini in the indigenous game

 

[SJ2k]

For balance of the bench I'd really rather we didn't carry a specialist 9. I think we need Egan playing 80 if we are going to be successful this season. We have enough utility in the 17 to cover him if needed, CHT could go to Hooker, CNK into 6, Taine to FB, Push Leka in the Centres and Pompey to the wing.

I just want a bigger bench that what we've been used to seeing in recent years. Would love Tom Ale at 13 early in the game and have a really dynamic bench of Demetric, Walker, Clark and Marata. Leka starts on an edge.

This feels so obvious yet im almost certain webby will pick a bench hooker. We were under sized with AFB and Tohu, without them it feels crazy to go with this midget bench shit.

If Egan gets ko'd in 2 games this year, bench hooker helps us in 2 games and hurts us in the rest. Play to win or acquire a monster prop to make up for the bench size. Which we haven't done so it has to 3 big men.

 

[Worried2Death]

Wouldn't mind seeing Healey on the bench to spell Egan, just to get him up to NRL speed as quickly as possible in case Wayde does go down. Emergency back row cover maybe, might be a better middle than Freddy too.

 

[CWC]

TMM
TT
CNK
Ali
RTS
CHT
Luke

My hunch…

 

[Lance155]

Wouldn't mind seeing Healey on the bench to spell Egan, just to get him up to NRL speed as quickly as possible in case Wayde does go down. Emergency back row cover maybe, might be a better middle than Freddy too.

Absolutely, I would much prefer Healey on the bench over a back. Egan should have 15 to 20 minutes off every game.

 

[Milking!]

In a perfect world I reckon Healey off the bench gives you both insurance and better overall performance at no. 9. In that, sure Egan is prone to picking up a knock or two so would be god to cover but also Healey seems a more explosive running type hooker - so a gameplan where he’s speeding up the ruck late in games could be a nifty change up and also save wear and tear on Egan over the course of a long season.
I still like Lussick, but think he’s better off being the Egan replacement when he’s ruled out of a game with Healey still spark plugging off the bench.

 

[snake77]

I can see the argument about having a dummy half on the bench. I used to like the contrast we'd have back in the Cleary days with Fien, Gatis, Henderson. I think they were some of the names, I can't remember who played with who. But, they were different when they'd come on. One faster another more powerful, passing etc.

It gives a side a fresh threat for dummy half throughout the game. Having Egan and then someone like Healy could provide that along with the contrast in styles.

Like a lot of people have stated Egan has picked up a few head knocks. But do we need to actually cover that every week?

To provide a counter argument to the discussion. I'd prefer to see some flexibility in the bench selections. Some weeks we carry another dummy half some weeks we don't.

Depending on how the bench is used if all 4 players are not getting consistent game time it might be worth giving someone some game time in the NSW Cup to get more minutes on the field.

Other weeks we may have a player or two coming into a game with a few niggles. That may mean covering an outside back on the bench that week.

 

[Jaffa J]

In a perfect world I reckon Healey off the bench gives you both insurance and better overall performance at no. 9. In that, sure Egan is prone to picking up a knock or two so would be god to cover but also Healey seems a more explosive running type hooker - so a gameplan where he’s speeding up the ruck late in games could be a nifty change up and also save wear and tear on Egan over the course of a long season.
I still like Lussick, but think he’s better off being the Egan replacement when he’s ruled out of a game with Healey still spark plugging off the bench.

I like when we used to have Lawton and Egan on rotation during the COVID times

 

[Lance155]

Are we expecting any surprises? I think the team mostly picks itself except for the bench I reckon (with TMM/CHT neither being a shock). I think I am most interested in our second rowers + the one on the bench

 

[Inruin]

Are we expecting any surprises? I think the team mostly picks itself except for the bench I reckon (with TMM/CHT neither being a shock). I think I am most interested in our second rowers + the one on the bench

Yup, majority of the team were pencilled in a while ago and most of the players pick themselves I think, though what position they play might be different to what some are or were thinking.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Yup, majority of the team were pencilled in and most of the players pick themselves I think, though what position they play might be different to what some are or were thinking.

That's why I thought the TMM to fb was a bit of a waste of time....imo Webby has the majority of the team selections sorted, and while TMM at the back looked pretty good, I doubt he's going to throw Plan A out the window based on a 40 min stint from TMM at fb.

Maybe if we're struggling and aren't winning games he might mix it up, but I'd be pretty shocked if he ran with TMM as fb in game one.

Time will tell, do we know if the team is named on Tuesday this week like normal, or a bit different with the team leaving for Vegas today?

 

[Inruin]

That's why I thought the TMM to fb was a bit of a waste of time....imo Webby has the majority of the team selections sorted, and while TMM at the back looked pretty good, I doubt he's going to throw Plan A out the window based on a 40 min stint from TMM at fb.

Maybe if we're struggling and aren't winning games he might mix it up, but I'd be pretty shocked if he ran with TMM as fb in game one.

Time will tell, do we know if the team is named on Tuesday this week like normal, or a bit different with the team leaving for Vegas today?

Unless that is plan A