The Tele has ranked the Eels forward pack 9th for season '26 (Roosters at #1)

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/fear-factor-rotation-attack-defence-every-nrl-forward-pack-ranked-from-best-to-worst-for-2026/news-story/83b1c716d11c6f385b3e0456f51abb25

They’re the engine room in all 17 NRL teams, but some forward packs reign supreme over others.

It could be new recruits, a methodology which has been developed over a club’s history, or the sheer fear a pack sparks into an opposition.

Tyson Jackson breaks down every pack based on fear factor, attack, defence and rotation to determine who the strongest forwards are heading into the 2026 NRL season.

9. PARRAMATTA EELS

Rating: 75/100

Predicted pack: 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kitione Kautoga 12. Jack Williams 13. Jack de Belin 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Dylan Walker 16. Sam Tuivaiti 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Fear factor: 16/25
Paulo turned back the clock with his form last year and has continually shown he’s one of the meanest forwards when at his best. He’ll help turn young gun Tuivaiti into a lead enforcer over time, but the pack is missing a few more genuine hit men otherwise.

Rotation: 19/25
With genuine cover on the bench, this will be ne of the Eels’ biggest weapons. Da Silva and Walker will tear packs apart in the middle of the field, and Tuivaiti and Tuilagi provide different looks to their starters.

Attack: 20/25
These forwards won’t struggle to score points, providing a variety of size and agility. Walker’s ball playing and footy IQ gives tremendous impact, with all players in the middle genuine options to cross the line and break tackles.

Defence: 20/25
The Eels leaked fewer points in the back half of 2025 as they adapted to coach Jason Ryles’ style. Expect that to continue, with the addition of de Belin perfect for this pack. He brings with him a 92 per cent tackle efficiency from last year.

Replies

Johnny Suede January 27, 2026 at 11:08am

The full 17

1. Roosters

2. Storm

3. Broncos

4. Dolphins

5. NZ

6. Sharks

7. Riff

8. Canberra

9. Parra

10. Tigers

11. Manly

12. Dogs

13. Rabbits

14. Cowboys

15. Dragons

16. Titans

17. Knights
- Zip zip > Johnny Suede January 29, 2026 at 9:04am
  
  Think our ranking is about right.
  
  Eels lack an alpha male and a metre eater that can attract 2-3 defenders. Jr is the closest but he'd rather play the lock forward role, than doing the hard yards.
  
  People rave about JDB signing, but I have been watching him closely ever since he signed. He is easily gassed (hands on hip, slow to get back), doesn't have the motor he use to. Also he's more a defensive forward than someone that puts his hand up for the hard carries. When he does carry the ball, he's similar to Jr, lacks that impact and is always looking for the offload.
  
  Throw in Hopgood and Walker, basically we have too many 'wanna-be' lock forwards in our pack.
  
  Williams is the only hard running forward we have and I'd prefer him on the edge, for that very reason.
  
  Tuivaiti is our future. Only 20 yrs old, but hoping he's gain some more strength and a bigger motor in this off season. Need another good signing in 1-2 years to partner this kid.
Bob Smith January 27, 2026 at 11:09am

The 'experts' always big note the Roosters. Expect them to fight hard for bottom half of the 8.
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 January 27, 2026 at 12:42pm

We have more depth than most other clubs. The fact that they didn't even mention Moretti, Guymer or Doorey shows our advantage
- Poupou Escobar > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 January 27, 2026 at 1:27pm
  
  Agreed Chiefy. Our depth is our strength, at least in the pack.
Joel K January 27, 2026 at 12:47pm

Pretty fair ranking regarding the Eels, although we have more depth then other clubs which isn't included in the rating

Putting Roosters at first is laughable, Broncos have the best pack in the comp
- Joeyboyz > Joel K January 28, 2026 at 3:09am
  
  I reckon the Warriors are better than the Rooters and the Broncos.
Longfin Eel January 27, 2026 at 1:12pm

I don't think Ryles will lose any sleep on this. He knows exactly how we stack up to opposition forward packs. The good thing is that we have a few young forwards who could really take a step up this year, so anything is possible.
Clintorian January 27, 2026 at 1:42pm
I think that's a fair rating,.
Canberra had the best pack in the game last year and we're only one position behind them which doesn't make much sense 🤔
- Roosters always get glazed this time of the year but have lately fallen short. But they do have a great pack.
- Storm shouldn't be in the top ten, their pack will struggle behind Stefano who is their main guy and Nelson out.
- Sharks, Dolphins, Broncs, Panthers and Wahs at full strength have great packs better than ours.
So yeah, it's probably on the money.

Positives
- The mobility of Hopgood, Williams and Walker is a key strength.
- Junior is our Alpha, but another season older is somewhat of a risk.
- Tuivaiti and Moretti coming through will make our bench rotation pretty solid. Massive fans of these two.
- I think we'll have one of the best hooker duo's in the next couple of years with Smith and TDS getting more experience, right now they're just a little raw on decision making and flair.
- Dylan Walker made a huge difference last year, if he keeps it up he'll be one of the best attacking forwards in the comp.
Weakness
- Kautoga and Tualagi are somewhat weak spots for mine, and i'm not sure how JDB will go at his age.
- Kautoga could come good in his second season, but i'm not as confident as I am about him as I am with Tuivaiti. Let's hope he proves me wrong.
- Tualagi's laterall mobility is shocking and gives team a clear attacking target. In saying that, his attack has some upside with his size and speed, the way he steamrolled Sam Walker last year and took him out of the game is the type of thing he needs to focus on (not injurying players, just his rampaging runs)
- JDB I was a fan of pre sexual assult, but haven't watched him too closely since. He's 36 this year, so I wonder how his legs will hold up in the middle alongside Junior.
I still think we're one bigger alpha prop away from being great, so I don't know how we get there other than developing one.

The other strategy is finding another Jack Williams or an Erin Clarke type of forward who is being under-utilised behind a stacked team, like the Broncs, Raiders, or Dolphins. That option has served us well so far.
- Smiffy > Clintorian January 27, 2026 at 3:59pm
  
  This will be unpopular, but Matterson could be that forward if he buys into Ryles gameplan and applies himself.