Premiership winners Corey Parker, Mark Geyer, Mark Carroll rate the NRL’s forward packs

From the ‘Demolition Man’ to the pack that strike’s fear in the opposition, we rate every NRL team’s bog bopper ranks.

Best packs in the NRL art.

Gold Coast Titans recruit David Fifita has been unstoppable in recent weeks but the man lining up against him tonight says he won’t be giving the backrower too much respect.

Fifita has been causing havoc on the left edge for the Titans, notching 138 post-contact metres, 17 tackle busts and three linebreaks in the past two rounds alone.

But standing in Fifita’s way when the Titans take on the Raiders at Netstrata Jubilee Oval tonight will be sturdy Englishman George Williams.

The physical battle might look a mismatch on paper, but Williams isn’t shying away from the challenge of taking on Fifita.

“That’s a challenge, everyone knows he is a big name in the competition but as good as he is, I’m not going to be giving him too much respect,” Williams said.

“I have to do my job and make my tackles for the team.”

David Fifita has added plenty of grunt to the Titans pack. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Fifita’s barnstorming performances in round two and three have come against lesser opposition in Brisbane and North Queensland.

The Titans are yet to claim the scalp of a top eight side and a win against the Raiders will announce Justin Holbrook’s men as genuine finals contenders.

In the same vein, Holbrook’s forward pack, while brimming with up and coming talent with the likes of Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika, are yet to test itself against an established pack like Canberra – who boast arguably the best prop in the NRL in Josh Papalii’i.

“For us it’s a good reality check to see where we are. Hopefully we can put together another good performance, to see where we are at as a club,” Titans halfback Jamal Fogarty said.

“Canberra has been one of the most consistent teams for the last couple of years now and their roster has been together for a long time, they know how to play and get the job done.”

The NRL’s new restart rules were designed to open up the game for the smaller men to showcase their attacking process.

But, like with Fifita, already we have seen the game’s big men benefit from the rules, causing havoc through the middle and the edges against worn out defensive lines.

Josh Papalii throws his weight around for the Raiders. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Fogarty believes bigger bodies like Fifita are now as crucial to a side’s finals chances as key players in the backline.

“He [Fifita] has been doing awesome things since he has been at the club in the pre-season, you sit back and think ‘this kid has so much footy in him for his age’,” Fogarty said.

“To see him put on two good performances is awesome for us but we need Davey to keep being Davey, making his tackles, having good carries and staying healthy and fit for us to have any shot of playing finals at the end of the year.”

It’s a trend that’s likely to continue.

“At the moment we are putting teams under a lot of pressure and something that cracks first is the middle. We’ve been exposing other team’s middles … there’s no need for the ball to go out wide when we’re scoring in the middle,” Titans flyer Anthony Don said.

THE BEST PACKS IN THE NRL

With packs playing a more dominant role in the modern game, premiership-winning forwards Corey Parker, Mark Geyer and Mark Carroll rate the NRL’s forward packs:

1. PENRITH

For former Penrith premiership winner Mark Geyer, the addition of Kurt Capewell on the right edge has only boosted Penrith’s pack.

“Capewell on the edge has added another threat. Prop Moses Leota is in career best form. Viliame Kikau is devastating, Isaah Yeo can create.

“But it the guys that can’t make the team that show how good they are going. Billy Burns was a regular in the 17 last year, Liam Martin is playing off the bench now and ScottS Sorensen can’t even make the side”

PACK: Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, James Fisher-Harris, Viliame Kikau, Kurt Capewell, Isaah Yeo, Api Koroisau, Spencer Leniu, Matt Eisenhuth, Liam Martin, Scott Sorensen, Mitch Kenny

2. RABBITOHS

Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll, who played 69 games for South Sydney, believes coach Wayne Bennett has achieved the right balance in his pack.

“To have someone like Jai Arrow on the bench shows you the quality of the pack. Tevita Tatola is a sensation,” Carroll said.

“With the rule changes teams now need a lock with good leg speed that creates with the ball, Cameron Murray provides that and it means Damien Cook can play off the back of that.”

PACK: Thomas Burgess, Tevita Tatola, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jaydn Su‘A, Cameron Murray, Mark Nicholls, Patrick Mago, Jai Arrow, Liam Knight, Jacob Host, Damien Cook

3. EELS

Fox League commentator and Broncos legend Corey Parker thinks the Eels have the most balanced pack in the NRL.

“You need a big aggressive front rower in the modern game and the Eels have that in Junior Paulo,” Parker said.

“You also need a no nonsense forward to compliment the aggressor, again the Eels have the Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

“A crafty hooker is crucial and the Eels have that in Reed Mahoney.”

PACK: Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Junior Paulo, Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson, Nathan Brown, Reed Mahoney, Oregon Kaufusi, Isaiah Papali’i, Marata Niukore, Ray Stone, Keegan Hipgrave, Bryce Cartwright

4. RAIDERS

Canberra’s established pack goes about its business with consistency each week.

“Josh Papalii’i might not be as skilful as Parramatta’s Junior Paulo but the havoc he can cause is huge. Along with Elliott Whitehead, Hudson Young and Joe Tapine – when he’s fit- Canberra have one of the more reliable packs in the NRL,” Parker said.

PACK: Ryan Sutton, Ryan James, Josh Papalii’i, Joe Tapine, Sia Soliola, Hudson Young, Emre Guler, Elliott Whitehead, Dunamis Lui, Siliva Havili, Josh Hodgson, Tom Starling

5. STORM

Carroll believes a full-strength Storm pack has the biggest fear factor in the NRL.

“Brandon Smith calls him self the Cheese but I call him the ‘Demolition Man’. They have Nelson Asofa Solomona at lock, he’s a front rower … and they still have Dale Finucane to come back from injury,” Carroll said.

“If you’re up against Melbourne and see a full strength pack you know you’re going to leave with bruises.”

PACK: Jesse Bromwich, Christian Welch, Tom Eisenhuth, Kenneath Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Dale Finucane, Felise Kaufusi Tui Kamikamica, Chris Lewis, Darryn Schonig, Brandon Smith, Harry Grant

6. ROOSTERS

Decimated with injury, the Roosters have showed off enviable depth in their pack.

“A fully fit pack would see the Roosters ranked higher. When you combine Angus Crichton and Boyd Cordner on the edges, Victor Radley in the middles and Taukeiaho upfront that’s a formidable pack,” Parker said.

PACK: Angus Crichton, Boyd Cordner, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Egan Butcher, Fletcher Baker, Isaac Liu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Lindsay Collins, Nat Butcher, Victor Radely, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Sitili Tupouniua, Freddy Lussick, Sam Verrilss

7. TITANS

The addition of David Fifita and Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui has transformed the Titans pack into a formidable opponent.

“When you put two players like that into any team, you’re going to cause some damage,” Geyer said. “Then they’ve got Jarrod Wallace who is in some decent form but their young guys for me, Moeaki Fotuaika, Jaimin Jolliffe and Erin Clark … who have kept Herman Ese‘ese out of the team.

“Justin Holbrook has made the right call on Tyrone Peachey playing at lock forward.”

PACK: Jarrod Wallace, Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui, Kevin Proctor, David Fifita, Tyrone Peachey, Moeaki Fotuaika, Sam Lisone, Jaimin Jolliffe, Erin Clark, Beau Fermor, Herman Ese‘ese, Tyrone Peachey, Mitch Rein

8. KNIGHTS

“This pack reads good and they go good,” Carroll said.

“From David Klemmer to David Saifiti. Tyson Frizell looks rejuvenated in Knights colours, he knows his job. Like Kikau he sits in his position and just gets his job done. On their day, Newcastle pack is right up and they get their best outside backs in Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best on park, the Knights will be a potent side.

PACK: David Klemmer, Daniel Saifiti, Tyson Frizell, Mitch Barnett, Connor Watson, Sauaso Sue, Jacob Saifiti, Josh King, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Jayden Brailey, Chris Randall

9. WARRIORS

“I like Addin Fonua-Blake he has added so much starch to this side, he’s a crucial signing and so is Bayley Sironen,” Geyer said.

“For me, Tohu Harris is one of the most underrated players in the NRL.

“Wayde Egan’s running game is coming to fore and that is complementing to size and power of the big guys.

PACK: Addin Fonua-Blake, Bunty Afoa, Eliesa Katoa, Bayley Sironsen, Tohu Harris, Jazz Tevaga, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Leeson Ah Mau, Jack Murchie, Tome Ale, Kane Evans, Wayde Egan.

10. SHARKS

Despite sitting outside of the top eight, the Sharks pack have shown signs of promise so far this season, like against a full strength Raiders pack in round two. Representative forward Andrew Fifita still can’t find his way back into John Morris’ NRL pack.

PACK: Braden Hamlin-Uele, Aaron Woods, Teig Wilton, Wade Graham, Toby Rudolf, Briton Nikora, Aiden Tolman, Jack Williams, Billy Magoulias, Siosifa Talakai, Andrew Fifita, Blayke Brailey

COREY PARKER’S PACK RATINGS

1. Eels

2. Penrith

3. Raiders

4. Roosters

5. Storm

6. Rabbitohs

7. Knights

8. Titans

9. Warriors

10. Sharks

11. Broncos

12. Dragons

13. Cowboys

14. Tigers

15. Sea Eagles

16. Bulldogs

MARK GEYER’S PACK RATINGS

1. Panthers

2. Rabbitohs

3. Titans

4. Raiders

5. Eels

6. Warriors

7. Knights

8. Storm

9. Roosters

10. Dragons

11. Sharks

12. Tigers

13. Broncos

14. Canterbury

15. Sea Eagles

16. Cowboys

MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL’S PACK RATINGS

1. Panthers

2. Rabbitohs

3. Eels

4. Storm

5. Roosters

6. Raiders

7. Knights

8. Titans

9. Tigers

10. Sea Eagles

11. Warriors

12. Sharks

13. Dragons

14. Broncos

15. Bulldogs

16. Cowboys

Originally published as Premiership winners Corey Parker, Mark Geyer, Mark Carroll rate the NRL’s forward packs