A throwaway line on social media by one of our own here at Zero Tackle kick-started a heated debate prior to the kick-off for Round 6.
The debate? Over the best forward pack in the NRL.
Some good arguments were made, for multiple engine rooms. This makes absolute sense as there are currently some magnificient packs in the game.
Most arguments seemed to zero in on which pack makes the NRL's top five. There seemed to be a few agreements but a severe lack of a definitive top three, or even five.
I'll go on record in naming the packs I believe are currently the NRL's best.
For the purpose of this, we'll be dealing with each club's (perceived) full-strength 8-13 and bench forwards. Of course, these rankings are completely objective and here to be debated.
Let us know who you believe are the top five packs in the game:
Honourable Mentions:
- North Queensland Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson are all elite-level players. They just don't have the quality off the bench to make the list.
- Wests Tigers: On paper a top five pack but have not played up to their potential. Pre-season they probably make the cut.
- South Sydney Rabbitohs: The sixth best pack in the game. Missed out by the slimmest of margins. Would be happy to concede they probably should have made the list.
3. Canterbury Bulldogs
Pack: 8. Luke Thompson 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Max King 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Tevita Pangai Junior 16. Jacob Preston 17. Franklin Pele
Unfortunately we won't get to see this Dogs pack at full strength in 2023 given the season ending injury suffered by Luke Thompson (although recent reports suggest he is targeting a return).
He, Ryan Sutton and Max King are the ultimate head down, no frills, go to work middle. That is, in no way, a negative. They are excellent and fit the game-plan to perfection.
Viliame Kikau is ... well, Viliame Kikau. Very few, if any, can break a game open quite like the Fijian giant. His return will instantly weaponise his side of the field.
Raymond Faitala-Mariner's potential is almost unlimited. I wish him all the best in his recovery also and cannot wait to see him at full flight.
I've included Josh Reynolds in the best 17 as you just can't leave him out. He fits so many roles and is the heart and soul of the club.
Tevita Pangai Jr can do anything on the day. Franklin Pele is near impossible to contain, albeit in a short stints. Jacob Preston is a very short price favourite to win rookie of the year honours.
The Dogs pack that ran out this weekend is worlds apart from their best pack. God help us all if the Dogs can ever name their best 8-17.
Interesting views, Dan.
Iโm surprised that you give an honourable mention to the Wests pack. I think that the Dolphins โ both on paper and on the field โ are more impressive.
Lovely to see your enthusiasm for Ray Faitala-Mariner. Heโs a great clubman and solid forward, but he is just 10 weeks short of turning 30, and I find it hard to agree that his โpotential is almost unlimitedโ :=)