2026 Round 1 Team

[Michael Jones]

The Roosters may have a host of players involved in the end of season International Football whether the England vs Australia 3 test series or the Pacific Championships

The following players would be chances of being selected or available for selection at least - 14 or so - Another January start to pre-season for the bulk of the main 17.

England vs Australia 3 Test Series

• Tedesco
• Nawaqanitawase
• Crichton
• Billy Smith
• Radley
• Collins
• Watson

Pacific Championships

• Tupou
• Toia
• Leniu
• Whyte
• Wong
• Foketi
• Ioelu

[Waylander]

The Roosters may have a host of players involved in the end of season International Football whether the England vs Australia 3 test series or the Pacific Championships

The following players would be chances of being selected or available for selection at least - 14 or so - Another January start to pre-season for the bulk of the main 17.

England vs Australia 3 Test Series

• Tedeco
• Nawaqanitawase
• Crichton
• Billy Smith
• Radley
• Collins
• Watson

Pacific Championships

• Tupou
• Toi
• Leniu
• Whyte
• Wong
• Foketi
• Loelu

It’s Toia and Ioelu

[Steggles]

It’s Toia and Ioelu

Mmm, not to mention Tedeco.

[Mickie Lane]

The Roosters may have a host of players involved in the end of season International Football whether the England vs Australia 3 test series or the Pacific Championships

The following players would be chances of being selected or available for selection at least - 14 or so - Another January start to pre-season for the bulk of the main 17.

England vs Australia 3 Test Series

• Tedeco
• Nawaqanitawase
• Crichton
• Billy Smith
• Radley
• Collins
• Watson

Pacific Championships

• Tupou
• Toi
• Leniu
• Whyte
• Wong
• Foketi
• Loelu

The whole team other than Sam, Egan & Hugo.
With that many players playing in those Internationals I would say 1 of them will get a 6 months out of the game injury.

[roosterchook]

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?

It doesn't matter what roster we won't be going anywhere until we fix our errors and completions as well as get better forwards because our current pack is not that good.

[Michael Jones]

According to Zero Tackle the Roosters have only a few spots to fill in the main 30 squad for 2026.

Have to wait and see when and if DCE takes one - be only 2 spots to fill - surely Hugo Savala is still not on a 80k development contract and will be elevated into the top 30 in 2026.

https://www.zerotackle.com/sydney-ro...rtures-226979/

[Superdag]

I agree with roosterchook 100%! It doesn’t matter who’s in the side; until we cut the errors and complete our sets, we won’t be going anywhere.