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Interesting discussion as I had this dilemma when choosing my side....the points everyone make are true, so it is a completely subjective discussion, but a good one to have.....the potential of Kautoga is pretty well untapped and in Kelma's case, I think the apprenticeship is over and he is now experienced enough to go to another level.....Kelma's preseason given what I am reading is going to a new level and I agree with LB that he is not an 80 minute player....I think he realises that (or has been told) and that's why the extra work in preseason.
Kelma has a specific dynamic just the same and when your side has limitations in the backline, I think if a player like Moses likes to trail him, he could score a lot of tries in the process. Ryles indicated in the "Johns podcast" that they are encouraged Mitch to do more of that. That specific dynamic (Kelma's) is steam rolling players and makes him so dangerous, when a side is getting up on you and stifling the attack.
We are in a rather unique situation and that we have in Williams, Kelma, Kautoga and Da Silva forwards who can run and score tries from 30/40 metres out....something the Parra sides have not had for years....even Doory and Moretti are capable of long breaks. The other dilemma is that these forwards "edges" have definate favourtisms where to position themselves......look at Kikau for the dogs, he runs more as a centre and defends on the edge. We haven't got anyone that attacks from that wide, our edges tend to be secondary middles as well......lining them up will be a quandry, especially if we get wider with Junior (Samoan version) a designated edge at times, say Williams can just hole up in the middle in those circumstances..
Line speed is also an issue, I personally feel that if you have very good line speed then you are more than half way there to finishing on top.......Smith gives us fantastic line speed, Da Silva provides fantastic dummy half speed (running) but I am not sure where our defensive line speed comes from when Smith is not on the field.
My guess is the speed of "the specific match/game" will be the coaching point?
I'm a when in doubt take the best defensive option.
Attack I'm not worried about defense is where this team can make huge strides up the ladder if we can improve on our edges and as you say Pops continue with the inside pressure and linespeed that's the key.Speed of the game is another good point and it's why I believe Sam Moa has a big influence on a middles because he'll understand the more mobility he can add with the mentioned physicality again makes a huge difference.Tuilagi can really be an influence here with his size and leg speed.
Melbourne is going to be a real marker because you know with Harry Grant anything soft is going to get punished and then there little men piggy back off the back of it.No chance I start Tuilagi against Melbourne or any team that likes attacking edges.
Good point Coryn
Yea Coryn, They really punished Tuilagi r1 last year.
Another good point I don't see Tuilagi as an 80 minute guy either but if we can get that impact out of him for 40-50 minutes imo that's where his future lies in the middle.
Way to incorporate him is having Williams move into the middle for Kelma to on an edge. If Ryles goes that way as Michael W pointed out that both Williams and KK are left sided.
I would start Williams and KK. Tuilagi comes from the bench with Williams then moving into the middle rotation. However if Tuilagi edge defence is still not good enough, trial him in the middle otherwise off he goes at the end of the year.
Totally agree with you that Tualagi should be playing in the middle, been thi king that since last year when his defensive issues appeared. He has some speed and is a big body, so it could be a great move for him.
Plus, our second row stocks are looking good already with Kitone and Jack starting, Guymer, Doorey, Latu, and Matterson.
Even after his slow start to 2025, Kautoga ended up leading all our forwards in post contact metre percentage.
He made giant strides until he was grounded against Penrith.
Can only see him getting stronger and making bigger inroads next year.
Kautoga locks up one edge spot no doubt.
Having Paulo, Hopgood, Williams and De Belin being able to play 60 minutes in the middle has us in a good position leading into the start of the 2026 season.
An extremely mobile pack, capable of making an impact on both ends, is something I am looking forward to watching.
100% coryn, i would even have guymer in front of kelma after how he played on the left edge at the back end of last year
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