Not sure I’m a fan of the extras on the bench.
It lessens the role of the utility, could hurt the likes of TMM. They’ll chuck Healey and a specialist half on the bench, Boyd probably.
Upside is the dangerous Healey could see more game time I suppose.
I can see some sticking with their same core bench rotations and just having a specialist half and outside back on there as insurance.
It’ll be very interesting to see how it plays out, and the different tactics the coaches use.
Any inside goss on what the Warriors backline will look like?
I hope they start with
Tuapiki
AKP
Pompey
CNK
RTS
CHT
Boyd
But I think the coaches will go
CNK
AKP
Pompey
RTS
DWZ
CHT
Boyd
Shit, we’ll have a whole backline of double barrelled names soon!
are we facing ANOTHER year of CHT in the team?? shit
I hope to god DWZ doesn't play a minute. Please do not let CNK anywhere near the 1 jersey.
Given Tuapiki currently injured then dont see them playing CNK anywhere else. Backline seen in training has been lining up as the following
CNK
AKP
Ali L
RTS
Pompey
CHT
Boyd
forwards likely
JFH
Egan
Marata
Kurt
leka
Erin
then Healey, Demetric, Ford, Laban, and Morgan
Forwards could be any combinations, but likely anyway until Barney also back from injury
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
New law changes for the NRL this year
Trainer rules – Trainers will be restricted from entering the field of play to prescribed and clearly defined circumstances. This will ensure player safety remains the priority while reducing unnecessary intrusions by Trainers carrying messages.
Interchange rules – Teams may interchange four players, up to eight times per match, from a squad of six players (players 14 to 19 inclusive).
Accidental breach (“zero tackle”) in-goal – There will be no seven-tackle set following a knock-on in-goal by the attacking team.
Restarting the tackle count – For certain infringements beyond the 20-metre line, the tackle count will restart, replacing the current 40-metre threshold.
Kick off rule not implemented
The biggest change for this year will clearly be the bench. You still only get to use four reserves, but the unexpected injury should be able to be covered, or you could tactically bring on a game breaker if your half hasn't been hit by the hammy sniper.
Looking forward to this change
Yeah, I like it too. Will make teams think a lot harder as to how they will use them/combat opposition interchanges.
They sort of had 18 anyway.
Assuming that they dont name an 18th man now.
So only an increase of one, but that one will be a forward for sure.
Yes, Rassie would f'n love this.
All Stars teams named: https://www.nrl.com/news/2026/02/05/2026-harvey-norman-all-stars-teams-announced/
Māori All Stars (Men)
Jesse Arthars, Joe Chan, Zach Dockar-Clay, JoJo Fifita, James Fisher-Harris, Mawene Hiroti, Royce Hunt, Keano Kini, Jacob Laban, Casey McLean, Te Maire Martin, Trey Mooney, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Briton Nikora, Adam Pompey, Leo Thompson, Trent Toelau, Manaia Waitere, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Coach: Adam Blair
Indigenous All Stars (Men)
Josh Addo-Carr, Jayden Campbell, Tallis Duncan, Jamal Fogarty, Trai Fuller, Nicholas Hynes, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Josh Kerr, Kaiden Lahrs, Shaquai Mitchell, Oliver Pascoe, Joshua Patston, Hohepa Puru, Jesse Ramien, Ethan Roberts, Blake Steep, Braydon Trindall, Connor Watson, Jack Wighton, Brent Woolf. Coach: Ronald Griffiths
@bayimports arrgggh bugger, didn’t know Tuapiki was injured
@bayimports arrgggh bugger, didn’t know Tuapiki was injured
yes him and no ones surprise Berry lol, currently the new (ish) injuries
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports arrgggh bugger, didn’t know Tuapiki was injured
yes him and no ones surprise Berry lol, currently the new (ish) injuries
Such a shame he’s so injury prone, I rate him when he’s firing.
Surely he’ll be shopped to the Super League when his contract is finished.
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports arrgggh bugger, didn’t know Tuapiki was injured
yes him and no ones surprise Berry lol, currently the new (ish) injuries
Such a shame he’s so injury prone, I rate him when he’s firing.
Surely he’ll be shopped to the Super League when his contract is finished.
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports arrgggh bugger, didn’t know Tuapiki was injured
yes him and no ones surprise Berry lol, currently the new (ish) injuries
Such a shame he’s so injury prone, I rate him when he’s firing.
Surely he’ll be shopped to the Super League when his contract is finished.
End of season form was poor and I think injured himself making an error but you're right he scrambles well when on form and can feed his wingers well, just not consistent enough last year. Probably let go unless he re finds his mojo.
there is always Perth and PNG as an option too
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports arrgggh bugger, didn’t know Tuapiki was injured
yes him and no ones surprise Berry lol, currently the new (ish) injuries
Such a shame he’s so injury prone, I rate him when he’s firing.
Surely he’ll be shopped to the Super League when his contract is finished.
I've said it before, but of all players hyped across all sports Berry is the one I don't get. I've never seen anything from him that makes me think he lives up to the hype. He doesn't have express pace, he doesn't beat players at will, his defence is average, he's not hard like his old man, but apparently he's good at chasing kicks (and according to @bayimports good at feeding his wings).
The simple (sad?) fact is the Warriors best centre is Pompey, and who the hell would have believed that if someone predicted it 3 or so years ago. 
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports arrgggh bugger, didn’t know Tuapiki was injured
yes him and no ones surprise Berry lol, currently the new (ish) injuries
Such a shame he’s so injury prone, I rate him when he’s firing.
Surely he’ll be shopped to the Super League when his contract is finished.
I've said it before, but of all players hyped across all sports Berry is the one I don't get. I've never seen anything from him that makes me think he lives up to the hype. He doesn't have express pace, he doesn't beat players at will, his defence is average, he's not hard like his old man, but apparently he's good at chasing kicks (and according to @bayimports good at feeding his wings).
The simple (sad?) fact is the Warriors best centre is Pompey, and who the hell would have believed that if someone predicted it 3 or so years ago.
Berry was awful probably even by his own standards last year, when he is on, he shows glimpses of what he could be, but if we're honest we haven't seen nearly enough.
Agree with you that Pompey appears to be clear number 1, but hoping Ali L stays injury free this year, he looked good in the small amount of game time we did see of him
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports arrgggh bugger, didn’t know Tuapiki was injured
yes him and no ones surprise Berry lol, currently the new (ish) injuries
Such a shame he’s so injury prone, I rate him when he’s firing.
Surely he’ll be shopped to the Super League when his contract is finished.
I've said it before, but of all players hyped across all sports Berry is the one I don't get. I've never seen anything from him that makes me think he lives up to the hype. He doesn't have express pace, he doesn't beat players at will, his defence is average, he's not hard like his old man, but apparently he's good at chasing kicks (and according to @bayimports good at feeding his wings).
The simple (sad?) fact is the Warriors best centre is Pompey, and who the hell would have believed that if someone predicted it 3 or so years ago.
Berry was awful probably even by his own standards last year, when he is on, he shows glimpses of what he could be, but if we're honest we haven't seen nearly enough.
Agree with you that Pompey appears to be clear number 1, but hoping Ali L stays injury free this year, he looked good in the small amount of game time we did see of him
Yeah I'm keen as to see whether Ali can live up to his potential.
In all honesty I don't mind CNK there if all other options aren't available - rather him than resorting to Capewell again.
I do find it weird that a centre hasn't been on our shopping list considering the almost perma injury of Berry and Ali.
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports arrgggh bugger, didn’t know Tuapiki was injured
yes him and no ones surprise Berry lol, currently the new (ish) injuries
Such a shame he’s so injury prone, I rate him when he’s firing.
Surely he’ll be shopped to the Super League when his contract is finished.
I've said it before, but of all players hyped across all sports Berry is the one I don't get. I've never seen anything from him that makes me think he lives up to the hype. He doesn't have express pace, he doesn't beat players at will, his defence is average, he's not hard like his old man, but apparently he's good at chasing kicks (and according to @bayimports good at feeding his wings).
The simple (sad?) fact is the Warriors best centre is Pompey, and who the hell would have believed that if someone predicted it 3 or so years ago.
Berry was awful probably even by his own standards last year, when he is on, he shows glimpses of what he could be, but if we're honest we haven't seen nearly enough.
Agree with you that Pompey appears to be clear number 1, but hoping Ali L stays injury free this year, he looked good in the small amount of game time we did see of him
Yeah I'm keen as to see whether Ali can live up to his potential.
In all honesty I don't mind CNK there if all other options aren't available - rather him than resorting to Capewell again.
I do find it weird that a centre hasn't been on our shopping list considering the almost perma injury of Berry and Ali.
Its kind of weird given how important they are to the game, I get the focus on fixing other stuff first, but to Webby's credit he has fixed a lot of areas so agree kind of weird we're still not focusing on this
I dont like edge forwards playing centre, but Leka is probably already elite status for this. Just would prefer we either develop and keep or buy an elite centre
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports arrgggh bugger, didn’t know Tuapiki was injured
yes him and no ones surprise Berry lol, currently the new (ish) injuries
Such a shame he’s so injury prone, I rate him when he’s firing.
Surely he’ll be shopped to the Super League when his contract is finished.
I've said it before, but of all players hyped across all sports Berry is the one I don't get. I've never seen anything from him that makes me think he lives up to the hype. He doesn't have express pace, he doesn't beat players at will, his defence is average, he's not hard like his old man, but apparently he's good at chasing kicks (and according to @bayimports good at feeding his wings).
The simple (sad?) fact is the Warriors best centre is Pompey, and who the hell would have believed that if someone predicted it 3 or so years ago.
Berry was awful probably even by his own standards last year, when he is on, he shows glimpses of what he could be, but if we're honest we haven't seen nearly enough.
Agree with you that Pompey appears to be clear number 1, but hoping Ali L stays injury free this year, he looked good in the small amount of game time we did see of him
Yeah I'm keen as to see whether Ali can live up to his potential.
In all honesty I don't mind CNK there if all other options aren't available - rather him than resorting to Capewell again.
I do find it weird that a centre hasn't been on our shopping list considering the almost perma injury of Berry and Ali.
Its kind of weird given how important they are to the game, I get the focus on fixing other stuff first, but to Webby's credit he has fixed a lot of areas so agree kind of weird we're still not focusing on this
I dont like edge forwards playing centre, but Leka is probably already elite status for this. Just would prefer we either develop and keep or buy an elite centre
I've been fighting (and losing) with the Warriors over second rowers playing centre for over a decade now.
I think playing Leka at centre stunts his growth in his actual position, and stunts the team's growth as we're moving a key weapon.
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports said in NRL 2026:
@bayimports arrgggh bugger, didn’t know Tuapiki was injured
yes him and no ones surprise Berry lol, currently the new (ish) injuries
Such a shame he’s so injury prone, I rate him when he’s firing.
Surely he’ll be shopped to the Super League when his contract is finished.
I've said it before, but of all players hyped across all sports Berry is the one I don't get. I've never seen anything from him that makes me think he lives up to the hype. He doesn't have express pace, he doesn't beat players at will, his defence is average, he's not hard like his old man, but apparently he's good at chasing kicks (and according to @bayimports good at feeding his wings).
The simple (sad?) fact is the Warriors best centre is Pompey, and who the hell would have believed that if someone predicted it 3 or so years ago.
Berry was awful probably even by his own standards last year, when he is on, he shows glimpses of what he could be, but if we're honest we haven't seen nearly enough.
Agree with you that Pompey appears to be clear number 1, but hoping Ali L stays injury free this year, he looked good in the small amount of game time we did see of him
Yeah I'm keen as to see whether Ali can live up to his potential.
In all honesty I don't mind CNK there if all other options aren't available - rather him than resorting to Capewell again.
I do find it weird that a centre hasn't been on our shopping list considering the almost perma injury of Berry and Ali.
Its kind of weird given how important they are to the game, I get the focus on fixing other stuff first, but to Webby's credit he has fixed a lot of areas so agree kind of weird we're still not focusing on this
I dont like edge forwards playing centre, but Leka is probably already elite status for this. Just would prefer we either develop and keep or buy an elite centre
I've been fighting (and losing) with the Warriors over second rowers playing centre for over a decade now.
I think playing Leka at centre stunts his growth in his actual position, and stunts the team's growth as we're moving a key weapon.
absolutely, I did highlight I don't want to see it, just guessing the Webby play book. Maybe we get lucky and the 6 man bench eliminates this.. time will tell
lol, to no one ones surprise, growing rumours that Haas has a get out clause if R360 evert gets off the ground
First TLT for the wahs and I know its a trial but Leka at centre.. yuck
and obviously a few more in the All stars
Harry Inch is amongst the long list of reserves for the Warriors. Also Caelys-Paul Putoko, who I saw a lot of at Hamilton BHS. He was in the NZ Schools team for two years.
Warriors first trial game in Napier.
A lot of reserve graders playing, and it’s wet, but a lot of ugly and lazy errors coming from the Warriors, especially on tackles 1 and 2 in that first half.
Real bad news for warriors fans is the coach declaring they've never come back fitter.
We all know what happens after that
@mariner4life that score was pure training the house down
@mariner4life said in NRL 2026:
Tigers pump the roosters.
Early entry for finish of the year too
That try is why NRL took 800 mil last year, that was a pure bums on seats try
Hull KR beat Brisbane to win World Club Challenge
aaand we're back! NRL kicks off this weekend in Vegas. While scoffed at by many, the season opening weekend in Vegas has been a roaring success. Which is why it is so surprising that the NRL has set out to actively sabotage it this year by taking the Knights, the Cowboys, the Dragons and the Bulldogs supporters over. 3 of these teams will fight out the spoon, at there is a huge probability that two of the teams will sack their coach this year. And yet the biggest crimes will probably be Dogs supporters at the Casino. Wait, actually, most of them probably won't get past US Border protection on looks alone.
What does the season hold? fuck knows. Preseason is completely meaningless, except maybe for Nathan Cleary who is looking at 3 weeks for a shoulder to the head. Ivan probably didn't get him maccas on the way home after that one.
how will everyone go? fuck knows.
Brisbane roll in as defending premiers. They won the comp on the back of being able to blow teams away at the back end of games with all out attack. They tried that last week and came up just a little short. Need to find a way to play with a little more control. It would be a brave man who calls them to fall away given the talent they have on board.
Melbourne were the beaten grand finalists. Melbourne never fucking die. Papi is gone from fullback, they've lost quality depth players, who have not been replaced. For all that, they still have Hughes, Munster and Grant, and that will take you a long way. Katoa may be their biggest loss given how many points he contributed from an otherwise workmanlike pack last year.
Penrith are back with almost the same main team. They've been up for a while, but that is a ridiculous roster still, and guys like McLean are getting better. As long as they stay injury free they should be favourites.
Cronulla are the same team as last year, and will be the same team as last year, probably consistent enough to make the 8, not good enough to win it. AFB will play Origin this year though.
The Dogs have been building over a few years. I still think they lack the spine to be a genuinely good team, but they "mostly" defend well, and have a few points in them when required. Will make the 8 but again i don't expect them to really push on.
Canberra were last year's surprise packets, and then went out in straight sets. Ricky took the shackles off last year and let the boys play, and they were genuinely fun to watch. The Green Machine are stacked with young talent, but here's the kicker. They released their halfback, who genuinely ran everything last year. It cannot be underestimated how big a move this is, Fogarty had his best season ever and kept the Raiders in the right parts of the field that allowed that talent to shine. A fall could be on teh cards.
Where are the Wahs? Overachieved last year on the back of a few player surprises. Barnett, Fish and Clark is an elite starting middle, and we play so well off that. Is there the depth behind them now to not rely on them completely? Metcalf came out of nowhere to be a genuinely good 7 as well. Usual problems persisted, not enough points, beyond leaky edges. There is young talent there, if Webby can take the handbrake off they might be in a good spot. If he persists with the old guys, and a safety first game plan we could go south. I don't think we make the 8.
The Roosters made the 8 last year despite losing everyone last offseason, and then getting smoked by injury. They released a good young half to sign DCE i guess hoping for that Cooper Cronk bump? Will that work? Can Walker stay fit for longer than a month? Signing Robson will help their ruck work out. They still have quality everywhere, will probably pick up some good free agent on "unders". I reckon they play top 4
The Dolphins, injury luck turning around, should be the big movers from last year. They get their forward pack back after they got smoked last year. They added Cobbo to help out the backs with some depth. If Nikorima has another good year, and Marshall-King doesn't take too long to come back, they could race up the table. Need to defend way better than last year though, you can't just outscore everyone every week.
I'm backing Manly to plummet without DCE, and Seibold to get fired. I think the Turbo boys are still chewing too much cap, their middles are soft, Brooks is hopeless, and they are hoping Fogarty can hold the joint together. Still have mad wheels out wide so will score pretty tries, but also give up points in clumps.
Parra, if Moses stays fit, should push on. Hard calls were made last year and i think they paid off. Young Pezet looks a good player to play off the bench. They finished last season looking really good, and i honestly rate Moses as the best half in the comp. If he plays 80% of the season they will play finals.
The Cowboys? Massive underperformers last year. Spud coach. Can't defend. Added Matt Lodge. I don't have much hope for the Townsville lads. Surely Payten gets fired. Dearden deserves better.
The Tigers have looked okay in preseason. I still don't reckon Benji is much of a coach though. I think they will be a marginally better team than last year, maybe even get back to their historical 9th. Doueihi at halfback might be a shrewd move for them.
Souths? Smashed by injuries last year. Haven't lost anyone. Have gained the big "what if" in Dave Fifita. If Wayne can get Dave back on track then their left edge will be frightening. I am not sure what their halfback situation, and they will rely on Cody Walkers old legs. Could be anything this year.
St George are my favs for the spoon. They have a shit squad, their first grade side got humped in a trial by a NSW team. They have a shit coach who will be short in the first fired market. Dark days ahead.
Somehow Gold Coast avoided the spoon last year. Des got fired. They got the gun coach hire (well, that's what everyone expects). Got rid of the Fifita headache and started trimming the squad. They have a few good players but i think they are still a weak squad who will not move far this year. They need to show something though to attract some talent.
Newcastle finished last and fired their coach. They have a retread at the helm. They've got Brown in on maaaaasive money, meaning approximately 90% of their cap is in two players. For too long it's been Ponga or nothing, and if it's the same this year they're fucked. They've shed a few list clogging halves so that might provide some clarity. But i can't see them climbing that far.
Picking a ladder is always fucked, because this league can be both predictable, and unpredictable at the same time.
Penrith
Dogs
Roosters
Cronulla
Dolphins
Broncos
Melbourne
Eels
Raiders
Souths
Warriors
Tigers
Cowboys
Manly
Titans
Knights
Dragons
I agree with you both in that the Warriors aren't going to make the 8.
I'm interested to see how Metcalf goes when he comes back, I've said all along I think he was in an unmaintainable purple patch last year, so hopefully I'm proved wrong, I was proved wrong on Egan ... well for one season at least.
I'll be continuing my Ford and Capewell errors, penalties and missed tackles watch this year. 
Hopefully the young forwards get decent game time. Same with Ali in the centres.
Worryingly I may be losing my access to Kayo. My mate's account was closed down for sharing passwords. He updated the password, and I've had access since then, but sometimes I get a sharing passwords warning. I only watch league on Kayo, and mostly just the Warriors and one other game a weekend if I have time, so I'm not really that keen on shelling out $30 a month just for that. I checked out 9's coverage to see how many Warriors games they're playing this year - 2.
For all the complaints about Sky in NZ, at least you have the rugby and league in the one place.
