2026 Round 1 Team

[Steggles]

So we overachieved against expectations this year and could have gone a bit further had we played well last night. That’s done, so what about next year with some big signings in key positions; what is the first choice team that can deliver a premiership?

Both Robson and DCE will be in the starting side, so what does that mean for Watson and Savala? Do either of them get the 14 jumper, or does Benny get it with a full off-season under his belt? Could Savala play centre, either replacing Billy or pushing Billy to the wing and replacing Toups? Lot’s of possibilities.

Based on recent form, my best 17 would look something like -

1. Teddy
2. Toups
3. Billy
4. Toia
5. Marky
6. DCE
7. Walker
13. Radley
12. Wong
11. Crichton
10. Collins
9. Robson
8. Whyte

14. Savala
15. Leniu
16. E Butcher
17. Steep or Foketi (50/50)

Robson is an 80 minute player, so carrying a specialist dummy half on the bench would be a waste of a spot. If Savala is going to be 6 after DCE, I think he needs to be in the side gaining as much FG experience as he can, so I’d have him at 14 playing much like the Tyran Wishart role at the Storm. I think Savala could fill in pretty much anywhere given his size, his strong defence and his ball playing ability.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Egan Butcher has been playing great and must be in the side, and it’s a struck match between Steep and Foketi for the last spot on the bench.

What improvements could be made to this team?

[Inflictor]

NButch and Watto will be in the team. The Bondi Wall will be back next year. Our defence was building nicely this year. Robson and NButch will improve it.

[Rooster90]

Teddy
Tupou
Smith
Toia
Nawaqanitawase
DCE
Walker
Whyte
Robson
Collins
Crichton
Radley
Watson

Savala
Leniu
N.Butch
E.Butch

Ioelu
Steep
Foketi
Wong

That 21 squad is top 4 easy

[caz]

i'm still in the not wanting to watch another game of footy phase but we'll be strong next year

[Bates]

A specialist experienced 9 should make a huge difference to all aspects of our sets. Robson is also a solid defender so this will shore things up around the ruck.

Hugo and Sammy would be my halves pairing.

Radley - lock
Wong- right edge.

14. Watson adding impact off the bench and cover.
15. Spence
16. B1
17. B2

[Thirteen]

So we overachieved against expectations this year and could have gone a bit further had we played well last night. That’s done, so what about next year with some big signings in key positions; what is the first choice team that can deliver a premiership?

Both Robson and DCE will be in the starting side, so what does that mean for Watson and Savala? Do either of them get the 14 jumper, or does Benny get it with a full off-season under his belt? Could Savala play centre, either replacing Billy or pushing Billy to the wing and replacing Toups? Lot’s of possibilities.

Based on recent form, my best 17 would look something like -

1. Teddy
2. Toups
3. Billy
4. Toia
5. Marky
6. DCE
7. Walker
13. Radley
12. Wong
11. Crichton
10. Collins
9. Robson
8. Whyte

14. Savala
15. Leniu
16. E Butcher
17. Steep or Foketi (50/50)

Robson is an 80 minute player, so carrying a specialist dummy half on the bench would be a waste of a spot. If Savala is going to be 6 after DCE, I think he needs to be in the side gaining as much FG experience as he can, so I’d have him at 14 playing much like the Tyran Wishart role at the Storm. I think Savala could fill in pretty much anywhere given his size, his strong defence and his ball playing ability.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Egan Butcher has been playing great and must be in the side, and it’s a struck match between Steep and Foketi for the last spot on the bench.

What improvements could be made to this team?

Nat B and Watson are definitely in the 17. It’s absurd that you didn’t include Watson. Even more so that he will now have the opportunity to play back row where he excels the most.

[Chook2]

We have a good 21 squad at least with Foketi and steep potentially not in the best 17
savala isn’t a 14 he starts as a 6 or isn’t in the 17. He is to slow to be a utility and you don’t just carry a 6 on the bench incase the halves go down
Watson will be able to play his best position coming off the bench as the 14 utility covering hooker, lock, edge, centre and halves

also Robson can play 80 min but also looks gassed and reduced running game so Watson can give Robson 20 min off, rads a 20-30 min stint off
also maybe give Wong a rest in the edge with rads moving to 11
that way they are not tired and actually delivering 60 min of good footy over 30 min being gassed

other competition for final bench spots will be the 2 forward options outside of Watson and Leniu
2 x butch and steep and Foketi all going for 2 positions which I think the 2 x butch will start
interesting with Teddy playing every game we still don’t know the back up 1
I think Wong will be 11 playing there most of 2025 and rads is still most effective in 13

we also are a middle short - eg 4th front rower so hoping a Vaa or Seve step up next year so we don’t get rolled like yesterday

Interesting we might be looking at 2 wing replacements for 2027 if Marky goes to union and toops retires
also the issue around savala and DCE

teddy
marky
toia
b smith
toops
savala / DCE
walker
collins
Robson
whyte
wong
critchon
rads

Watson
nat butch
Egan butch / steep / Foketi / (4th front row Vaa etc)
Leniu

[Chook2]

A specialist experienced 9 should make a huge difference to all aspects of our sets. Robson is also a solid defender so this will shore things up around the ruck.

Hugo and Sammy would be my halves pairing.

Radley - lock
Wong- right edge.

14. Watson adding impact off the bench and cover.
15. Spence
16. B1
17. B2

Agree Watson is the best 14 in the comp and covers just about everything bringing on energy when he comes on
rads is best at 13 and like Robson needs spells to be at their best
Wong is a bigger body and did well and has locked in the 11

[Inflictor]

Interesting to see where Losalu actually fits in the list of front rowers.
He seems to show a lot of promise.
Not a huge minutes player when playing NRL in his few games but not sure if that was managed. He is one who seemed to bend the line most times he took it up. His defence was also exceptional.
In the upcoming front rowers where does he stand compared to the Va'a boys?
NButch played a great game at front row and EButch can also fit in so they all may have to wait another year or fill in at SOO time or injuries.

[Michael Jones]

It will be interesting what the make up of the squad will be in 2026 as there are a few spots to fill in the 30 player squad and supplementary lists ( development contracts) - plus extended bench

Signings - Reece Robson and possibly Daly Cherry-Evans

Departures - Chad Townsend ( Retired) , Sandon Smith ( Knights) , Ethan Roberts ( Wests Tigers) , Ethan King ( Cowboys) , Zach Dockar-Clay ( Manly) , Tyler Moriarty ( Unsigned) - Not sure if Brandon Smith was replaced in the top 30 with his mid season transfer to Souths or Dominic Young with his mid season transfer to the Knights ?

It was reported a number of times that Hugo Savala was on a 80k contract despite playing NRL? so he will need to be upgraded and in the top 30 in 2026

https://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/teams/sydney-roosters/

[Rooster_6]

1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Rob Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. DCE
7. Sam Walker
8. Nafahu Whyte
9. Reece Robson
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Siua Wong
13. Victor Radley

14. Connor Watson
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Nat Butcher
17. Blake Steep

Outside back depth (6/10) - Tom Rodwell, Junior Tupou, Junior Pauga,William Malloy, Lui Lee & Jackson Stewart (short on a genuine backup fullback)

Halves depth (8/10) - Hugo Savala, Toby Rodwell & Reece Foley

Hooking depth (8/10) - Beniah Ioelu & Jax Allen

Middle forward depth (9/10) - Salesi Foketi, Taylor Losalu, Makahesi Makatoa, DLS Va'a, Xavier Va'a, Kanaan Magele, Itula Seve & Fanafou Seve

Edge forward depth (5/10) - Max McCathie, Darcy Smith, James Finegan & Lachlan Dooner (exceptional young talent but maybe still 12-18 months off)


I think we were very lucky not to get any injuries to our outside backs this year, think it'd probably be a good idea to get an experienced fullback in who can maybe cover another spot (someone like a Daine Laurie who still doesn't have a contract for next year).

And I still see our edges as a bit of a concern, we did not get enough in attack out of either edge this year and if we don't get more out of them next year then I worry the next group coming through are still a season or two away from being ready.

[Bates]

1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Rob Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. DCE
7. Sam Walker
8. Nafahu Whyte
9. Reece Robson
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Siua Wong
13. Victor Radley

14. Connor Watson
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Nat Butcher
17. Blake Steep

Outside back depth (6/10) - Tom Rodwell, Junior Tupou, Junior Pauga,William Malloy, Lui Lee & Jackson Stewart (short on a genuine backup fullback)

Halves depth (8/10) - Hugo Savala, Toby Rodwell & Reece Foley

Hooking depth (8/10) - Beniah Ioelu & Jax Allen

Middle forward depth (9/10) - Salesi Foketi, Taylor Losalu, Makahesi Makatoa, DLS Va'a, Xavier Va'a, Kanaan Magele, Itula Seve & Fanafou Seve

Edge forward depth (5/10) - Max McCathie, Darcy Smith, James Finegan & Lachlan Dooner (exceptional young talent but maybe still 12-18 months off)


I think we were very lucky not to get any injuries to our outside backs this year, think it'd probably be a good idea to get an experienced fullback in who can maybe cover another spot (someone like a Daine Laurie who still doesn't have a contract for next year).

And I still see our edges as a bit of a concern, we did not get enough in attack out of either edge this year and if we don't get more out of them next year then I worry the next group coming through are still a season or two away from being ready.

You've missed someone.

[Rooster90]

1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Rob Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. DCE
7. Sam Walker
8. Nafahu Whyte
9. Reece Robson
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Siua Wong
13. Victor Radley

14. Connor Watson
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Nat Butcher
17. Blake Steep

Outside back depth (6/10) - Tom Rodwell, Junior Tupou, Junior Pauga,William Malloy, Lui Lee & Jackson Stewart (short on a genuine backup fullback)

Halves depth (8/10) - Hugo Savala, Toby Rodwell & Reece Foley

Hooking depth (8/10) - Beniah Ioelu & Jax Allen

Middle forward depth (9/10) - Salesi Foketi, Taylor Losalu, Makahesi Makatoa, DLS Va'a, Xavier Va'a, Kanaan Magele, Itula Seve & Fanafou Seve

Edge forward depth (5/10) - Max McCathie, Darcy Smith, James Finegan & Lachlan Dooner (exceptional young talent but maybe still 12-18 months off)


I think we were very lucky not to get any injuries to our outside backs this year, think it'd probably be a good idea to get an experienced fullback in who can maybe cover another spot (someone like a Daine Laurie who still doesn't have a contract for next year).

And I still see our edges as a bit of a concern, we did not get enough in attack out of either edge this year and if we don't get more out of them next year then I worry the next group coming through are still a season or two away from being ready.

No Jake Elliot listed? he is contracted until end of 2027

Seems to have fallen down the halves pecking order however

[Bates]

It will be interesting what the make up of the squad will be in 2026 as there are a few spots to fill in the 30 player squad and supplementary lists ( development contracts) - plus extended bench

Signings - Reece Robson and possibly Daly Cherry-Evans

Departures - Chad Townsend ( Retired) , Sandon Smith ( Knights) , Ethan Roberts ( Wests Tigers) , Ethan King ( Cowboys) , Zach Dockar-Clay ( Manly) , Tyler Moriarty ( Unsigned) - Not sure if Brandon Smith was replaced in the top 30 with his mid season transfer to Souths or Dominic Young with his mid season transfer to the Knights ?

It was reported a number of times that Hugo Savala was on a 80k contract despite playing NRL? so he will need to be upgraded and in the top 30 in 2026

https://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/teams/sydney-roosters/

Welcome Mick.

Sally would be very proud of your googling

[Rooster_6]

You've missed someone.

Egan Butch, we are just so stacked for good young middles.