KFC SuperCoach 2020: Wacko’s Whispers pre-season edition
The man with the best mail in KFC SuperCoach returns with a pre-season special of fresh takes and cheapie goodness.
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2020 PREDICTIONS
* Roosters young gun Sam Walker will make his NRL debut after he turns 18 and after June 30 when he becomes eligible to play in the NRL.
* Both Matty Johns’ sons will make their NRL debuts. Cooper Johns should see some time in the halves at Melbourne Storm over the Origin period. Jack Johns is currently only on a South Sydney development contract (and so can only play NRL after round 16) but Johns has spent time during pre-season training in the top 13.
* The Rabbitohs have a number of rookies in their squad with Joshua Cook, Edene Gebbie, Dean Hawkins, Keaon Koloamatangi and Steven Marsters all pushing hard to make their NRL debuts at some stage during the 2020 season.
* Good news story at Titans with rookie forward Darius Farmer set to make NRL in 2020. If he can conquer testicular cancer he can conquer the NRL.
BEST NRL ROOKIES 2020 BY POSITION
(D = Development Player)
FRF – Stefano Utoikamanu, Toby Rudolf, Darius Farmer
HOK – Corey Paix, Joshua Cook, Luke Huth (D)
2RF – Teig Wilton, Jirah Momoisea, Keaon Koloamatangi
Lock – Tom Gilbert, Joe Lovodua, Jack Johns (D)
Halves – Cooper Johns, Josh Schuster (D), Sam Walker (D)
Centre – Harley Smith-Shields, Jake Averillo, Treymain Spry
Wing – Greg Leleisiuao, Tevita Funa, Daine Laurie (D)
Fullback – Edene Gebbie (D), Hamiso Tabuai – Fidow (D), Tesi Niu (D)
STATS AMAZING
* Harry Grant – Queensland Cup – 22 games – 14 tries, 18 line breaks, 21 try assists, 22 line break assists, 879 tackles and an average of 99.9 metres per game
* Edene Gebbie – Queensland Cup – 22 games – 19 tries, 23 line breaks, 4 try assists, 170 tackle breaks and an average of 206.6 metres per game
* Greg Leleisiuao – Canterbury Cup – 26 games – 12 tries, 15 line breaks, 196 tackle breaks, and an average of 173.5 metres per game
KNOCK-ON EFFECT FOR INTERCHANGE
Keep an eye on how coaches use the concussion rule in 2020. Some coaches may use it to their advantage by getting a free interchange but I foresee more coaches, if they have no real utility in 17, may carry a back on bench to have cover for an concussion to an outside back. This means more forward minutes to share around.
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KEY POSITIONAL CHANGES
* Broncos rookie Corey Paix is a halfback by trade but Anthony Seibold is looking at turning him into a hooker and Paix has been training there this pre-season. He is currently the Broncos’ third string hooker behind Jake Turpin and Andrew McCullough, but will make his NRL debut if either McCullough or Turpin get injured during the season.
* Knights rookie Jirah Momoisea has played as a tight forward in previous years but new coach Adam O’Brien is looking to switch him to an edge 2RF. Momoisea must have made a good impression in pre-season given he’s been promoted to the top 30 squad.
EARLY CALL ON CHEAPIES FOR 2021
Joseph Suaalii
Jackson Topine
Toby Sexton
Griffin Neame
Luke Gale
Shaun Sauni-Esau
Jayden Sullivan
Reece Hoffman