Is Isaiah Iongi the mystery five-eighth Ryles was talking about?
At the captain’s run presser, Ryles was asked who could be wearing the No.6 in 2026. He named Joash and Dean Hawkins — then dropped the tease that there could be a smokey.
So who is this mystery man?
It’s not going to be Lorenzo Talititiana — he’s only two Cup games into his career and at least a year off first grade.
Ronald Volkman? Started the year ahead of Hawkins, but failed to impress in the top grade and hasn’t been sighted since. Even though he’s a natural five-eighth, Ryles has clearly preferred “Footy Dean.”
That’s why I think the smokey is Issaia Iongi.
He’s got a strong running game, works his backside off, has a bigger frame than Joash for front-line defence, and can kick as well. With Joash looking comfortable and dangerous at fullback, Ryles has the luxury to test Iongi in the halves before the year is done.
If this happens, I could see Joash staying at the back — where he’s lethal — and Iongi being the wildcard that solves our five-eighth puzzle.
What do you reckon? Could Ryles really be planning to unleash Iongi at 6? Or am I dreaming?
I also think Iongi's long term position is fullback. His ability under the high ball is exceptional.and has that great running game that makes him dangerous all over the park, but i think Ryles will give him a shot at 6 as its going to.be difficult to recruit anyone at this stage. The only real recruitment option is Sandon Smith.
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It could work. He looks the goods to make it at 5/8. Many good players have made the transition from fullback to 5/8, Muster and Lockyer just to name a couple.
Both those players were established before the transition, our blokes are not.
In Lockyer case probably half a career at fullback .
Most discussion up until this blog has been that Iongi will/could one day become a 5/8, but implying years down the track just the same. No need to weaken fullback, Joash is a sound back up NOT a lethal alternative!
Lockyer and Munster are outliers, not the rule. And both moved out of a requirement to play in the halves while having legitimate elite fullback options. Karmichael Hunt replaced Lockyer and he played for Qld and Australia. Paps replaced Munster in the end and at his best he's a legitimate Origin contender.
I'm pretty sure Iongi played most of his junior football (and representative football) at five-eighth so its not out of the question.
He played his early rep footy at five-eighth but when he joined Penrith he was at fullback from Flegg all the way through to NRL.
The last time he played 5/8 was Tonga U18's i believe.
I know this about who our five eight next year
But i heard we miss out on Trey Mooney he going to Newcastle why would he go there surely we better club then Newcastle
I heard that he's getting 650k at Newcastle, I guess Parra didn't want to pay that much for him.
Trey Mooney is a good young player, a Parra junior actually.
Now he is a fringe bench player with Canberra and I would say he would be a good pick up at around 400k based on his potential.....so I ask the question why would Newcastle who are paying Ponga around 1.4 and DB 1.3 and have a host of other players they are retaining.....come up with 650 for a kid from Canberra.
These managers leak this shit trying to bring up everyone's levels.
Disappointed because Trey Mooney would be a good pick up for us.Don't trust any of these prices that get called by the 'so called' NRL journos.
PS We would have given them Matto for that price and thrown in an autographed copy of Lane's next video, Hands & Lussick as a hooker package.
He's gone to a club that believed it was smart to pay Brown $1.4 mil.
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