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The big men up front provide the go-forward so needed in the modern game. But which is the best pack in the NRL?
Let’s get stuck into it.
16. St George Illawarra Dragons
Some more bad news for this team in turmoil, their’s is the worst pack in the NRL.
Instructed by a below-average hooker bookended by even worse props, not to mention their so-called stars in Ben Creagh (old) and Trent Merrin (overrated). With these blokes providing the go-forward, don’t blame the club’s form on Benji!
15. Parramatta Eels
The only thing stopping Parra from being true title contenders has got to be their forwards.
Although there is plenty of potential – Mitch Allgood and Pauli Pauli have bright futures ahead of them – for now all they have is a rake in Nathan Peats and a front row in co-captain Tim Mannah.
14. New Zealand Warriors
Talent-wise there’s only Simon Mannering, Jacob Lilyman and an inconsistent Feleti Mateo. Not much more to say about them but improvement is needed.
They have a pretty good development program, so I wouldn’t be fretting just yet.
13. Penrith Panthers
In true Penrith Panthers fashion all you have to say about their forward pack is meh.
I don’t know what it is about Penrith but we get carried away with players who have one or two good games throughout the season. Sure, Tyrone Peachey had a terrific game against the Eels last week, but what has he done before and how will he back it up?
The only thing they have right now is James Segeyaro at dummy-half. Bryce Cartwright looks like he could be that something special they need, but other than that… Meh!
12.Canberra Raiders
Is the recruitment the problem? Is the fact they have no home-grown talent the problem? I don’t know, but for their sake they better fix it.
Their future does have a glimmer of hope though in Shaun Fensom and Paul Vaughn. The only real starters they have now are Josh Papalii and David Shillington.
11. Newcastle Knights
The Novocastrians have a lot to work on if they don’t want to receive the wooden spoon. Currently they have two players firing in Big Willie Mason and Beau Scott, but that’s not enough.
No true dummyhalf is big problem – Kurt Gidley is not near good enough anymore and Travis Waddell belongs in the NSW cup. They have a talented under-20s squad, so there is something to look forward to.
10. Manly Sea Eagles
I had them higher in my rankings but I had a second look at them and wasn’t impressed by their forwards. Of course they have Anthony Watmough and a departing Glenn Stewart, but excluding them there isn’t much.
Brenton Lawrence and Justin Horo impressed early on the year yet we haven’t seen much of them lately. Manly are just lucky they are being run around by the best halves pairing in the game.
9. North Queensland Cowboys
The best prop pairing in the game. Matt Scott is on fire right now and when he’s firing, the Cowboys are too. James Tamou is yet to hit a run of form as of 2014 but being a State of Origin player there is no doubting his ability.
Apart from these two they have Tariq Sims, who can heat up on his day, and a future star in Jason Taumalolo. They are a solid pack, yet depth in the Origin period is a big problem.
8. Brisbane Broncos
A strong back row in Sam Thaiday, Alex Glenn and Matt Gillett sneaks them into the top eight.
It’s the front row that bothers me. Corey Parker consistently gets rolled on his back in the play the ball. Josh McGuire doesn’t belong in the NRL. Rake Andrew McCollough has the potential to be a great football player but as of now he just isn’t up to scratch due to his inexperience and poor in-play kicking.
They have a back row that could go up against anyone, yet need to sure up a few positions to become true title contenders.
7. Gold Coast Titans
Although struggling as late due to Origin and suspension to Greg Bird, they have a plethora of talent.
Nate Myles leads the pack with his barnstorming runs and ability to break tackles, but Dave Taylor and Luke Douglas are inconsistent. They also need a dummy-half – Matt Srama is not a first grader, nor Beau Faloon.
6. Cronulla Sharks
Finally something to be proud of in the Shire. Although undoubtedly an ageing pack, they’re still strong to the very core.
We start with courageous leader Paul Gallen, the greatest competitor in the game, followed by Andrew Fifita, Luke Lewis and Wade Graham. Chris Heighington and Sam Tagatese provide depth and the ability to offload from the bench.
For now the pack is strong but they are on the decline, be wary of what the future has in store for them.
5. Melbourne Storm
The appropriate player to start with is big George Rose. Make your jokes, but he really is a good impact player.
Captain Cam Smith runs this talented forward group, partnered with the Bromwich boys and veteran Ryan Hoffman. Their back row, particularly Ryan Hinchcliffe and Kevin Proctor, has a lot of potential. This pack will not die without a fight.
4. Wests Tigers
These lads are the main reason the Tigers are starting to see success. A great mix of youth and experience – from inspirational captain Robbie Farah, who possesses arguably the highest footy I.Q. in the game, to the smiling assassin Aaron Woods and back rowers Liam Fulton, Adam Blair and young Curtis Sironen.
With youngsters Martin Taupau, James Gavet and new signing Matthew Lodge coming through, the future is bright for the men out west.
3. South Sydney Rabbitohs
This forward pack thrives on being big and mobile, with quick play the balls being the order of the day. George and Sam Burgess are the most damaging forwards in the game, but these two Pommies wouldn’t be any good without their little genius Issac Luke, whose darting runs and clever kicks put the opposition on the back foot.
The Rabbits are in a good way for now but with Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o leaving the club, be very scared for what the future has to hold.
2. Sydney Roosters
The main reason the Roosters get to call themselves the defending premiers. The Chooks boast the three best second rowers in the game in Boyd Cordner, Sonny Bill-Williams and Aiden Guerra.
To back this up they have a couple good youngsters coming through the ranks in Dylan Napa and TauTau Moga. This impressive forward pack is definitely in fine shape for now and the future.
1. Canterbury Bulldogs
A big reason why the boys from Bankstown are leading the Comp. Their interchange players Dave Klemmer and Sam Kasiano are starters for any other team.
Led by their brilliant front row Aiden Tolman, James Graham and dummyhalf Mick Ennis, damaging second rowers T-Rex (Tony Williams) and Josh Jackson finish the job.
The depth of this squad has them in good stead.
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