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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Iongi is our long term fullback. He's safe under the high ball, has an excellent passing game and he's been a consistent performer all year.
Volkman was only ahead of Hawkins at the start of the year as Hawkins was injured.
I reckon Volkman is in with a shout. He's finally had a full year of footy behind him in Cup and he's played big chunks at halfback in a Cup side that should be playing finals this year.
Renzo would be a gamble given he played SG Ball this year. But he has seemed comfortable so far at NSW Cup level. He also looks like a decent sized body to cope with the NRL. He would be debuting at the same age Dylan Brown debuted so it wouldn't be too much of a surprise.
How tall is Renzo super. Isn't he a similar height and weight as Joash?
he is more of a nugget that Joash. Similar height.
Don't worry about size Chiefy, as you are going through your transition, you will probably lose a few inches. LOL
Sounds like you've finally discovered pornhub ploppo lol
Is that the one you get at Coles or is that in Corn on the Cob aisle at Aldi....could be pawnhub I suppose?
Pawnhub....hard Lol
EA or LB, You'd know better. I've only seen reels of Lorenzo.
He seems a high-energy, zippy, Sandow-sized pocket rocket. Is his footy nous & kicking game better than Hawkins? He also seems to miss a fair few tackles...
Against the Cows, Hawkins improved his running game — in quality and quantity — more runs, more direct and making some tackle busts.
If we don't recruit an experienced six, this competitive experiment — between Joash, Hawkins, Lorenzo, and whatever smokeys, Walker and Iongi aside — will ramp-up in the off-season.
I think the difference with Hawkins is his real potential is a backup for Moses, whereas the 5/8 we need should be someone that can go to another level, especially if we have Moses injured.
Interesting when you look at the situation that Broncs find themselves in, Reynolds and Mam out. The back up half (Hunt) is elite, the backup 5/8 a soldier (Walters). The pace in their backline drops just the same.
Hawkins is a soldier and currently we would also have a soldier at 5/8.
This type of position has haunted us for probably 3 seasons, with the uncomfortable compromise of Dyllan never being a playmaking half, not withstanding his specialist 5/8 role.
We do have Walker that can play 5/8, but his life span is arguably no greater than 2 years. We need at least one dasher in the halves. Iongi gives us pace from the back and our centres are not quick.
Yep, Pops. You need team-first soldiers. Real depth matters. It's a weak-link sport. You're only as good as the weakest link in your chain.
Penrith and Storm exemplify that next-man-up soldier in good systems. I suspect Ryles is heading in that direction. Looking to build a club, not just a footy team. Hard to have both cakes simultanously, and risky in a sense.
Hawkins, Joash, provide real depth and improving NRL capabilities. And importantly, they also have the right attitude. Don't know about Lorenzo yet tbh.
I do have concerns going with another rookie in the spine, other than Moses, as it'll mean we need more time — another season, two or more — for cohesion and development.
PS: Sandon Smith & Douehi would've been nice. But maybe it comes down to value and fit. They would be hard gets. Douehi's heart was always with the Tigers. We would've needed to go well overs. I also have question marks as to whether Smith would work long-term with Moses.
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