Forward packs are the engine room of each NRL membership and their significance can’t be understated to a staff’s success.
They lay the platform for each staff’s halves and outdoors backs to supply factors and it’s not shock the competitors’s heavyweights boast the most effective packs within the league.
The reigning premiers, the Panthers, have a few of the NRL’s scariest and most constant forwards of their pack who’ve helped them to three-straight titles.
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Meanwhile, different groups just like the Tigers have strong packs on paper who’ve been unable to encourage outcomes for his or her groups.
Here, foxsports.com.au charges each ahead pack forward of the 2024 season with assistance from stats from the Fox Sports Lab!
PANTHERS — A+
Predicted pack
Props: James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota
Hooker: Mitch Kenny
Backrowers: Liam Martin and Scott Sorensen
Lock: Isaah Yeo
The Panthers pack is solely the competitors benchmark.
For three years now Ivan Cleary’s Penrith facet have lifted the trophy on the season’s finish, and every of those gamers delivered all through 2023.
After shedding Apisai Koroisau, Mitch Kenny has change into one of many Panthers’ unsung heroes and performs to his personal strengths, complimenting the remainder of the facet.
James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota are additionally two of the competitors’s finest props, with Fisher-Harris just lately profitable the Golden Boot for 2023.
Isaah Yeo has been the NRL’s finest lock for a number of years however does now have competitors within the type of Broncos gun Pat Carrigan who pipped him on the submit for Dally M Lock of the Year.
However, he was as soon as once more sensible in Penrith’s finals cost alongside Liam Martin and Scott Sorensen who each run onerous and harmful strains on an edge.
Statistically, the Panthers additionally sit fourth in forwards working metres per sport with 749.67, while additionally recording the third quantity of attempt involvements per sport and the fourth most assist and decoy runs each 80 minutes, tallying 43.22.
BRONCOS — A
Predicted pack
Props: Payne Haas and Corey Jensen/Fletcher Baker
Hooker: Billy Walters
Backrowers: Jordan Riki and Brendan Piakura
Lock: Pat Carrigan
The Broncos got here desperately near profitable the grand closing in 2023, and their ahead pack performed an important function of their finals push.
Outgoing prop Tom Flegler is about to get replaced by Corey Jensen or Roosters recruit Fletcher Baker who has reportedly impressed in his first pre-season.
Payne Haas in the meantime is without doubt one of the most damaging gamers within the NRL and his impression can’t be understated.
Billy Walters’ developed massively final season, together with his assist play and kicking sport bettering by leaps and bounds.
Meanwhile, at lock Pat Carrigan was named the NRL’s finest after being included within the Dally M Team of the Year after a stellar marketing campaign.
He additionally represented each Australia and Queensland in 2023, cementing himself as among the best forwards within the sport.
Brendan Piakura, who seems like the person to take over from Kurt Capewell on an edge, had a breakout season in 2023 whereas Jordan Riki can be a strong backrower.
To again up their grade, the Broncos have recorded the second most ahead working metres per sport with 785.74 and likewise tally the third most per run, with the determine sitting at 8.82 metres.
Walters’ forwards additionally scored the equal second most tries, tallying 31.
STORM — B+
Predicted pack
Props: Christian Welch and Tui Kamikamica/Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Hooker: Harry Grant
Backrowers: Trent Loiero and Eliesa Katoa
Lock: Josh King
The Storm’s ahead pack appeared to battle in opposition to the elite groups in 2023, however nonetheless Craig Bellamy has a number of superstars to select from.
Harry Grant is without doubt one of the NRL’s finest hookers and has the most effective working sport out of the ruck out of the present first grade No.9s.
Josh King is a workhorse, nevertheless he may benefit from bettering his ball-handling abilities and linking play handy his halves area.
Eliesa Katoa was immense when on the sector, however battled with varied accidents and scored six tries.
His mixture with Jahrome Hughes to shut out the 12 months was spectacular and the pair signalled their intent for 2024.
Trent Loiero was strong however didn’t set the world on fireplace in his first season as a daily starter, whereas Christian Welch is dependable as ever at prop.
That leaves both Tui Kamikamica or Nelson Asofa-Solomona to take the ultimate spot within the entrance row and each gamers pack a punch.
Either of those hulking forwards can do the job, while the opposite will function an impression bench participant.
Melbourne’s ahead pack sit center of the highway in terms of working metres per sport, however excel in terms of linebreaks.
The Storm pack tallied 40 in 2023, the fourth most within the competitors while additionally sitting fourth for attempt involvements per 80 minutes.
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WARRIORS — A
Predicted pack
Props: Addin Fonua-Blake and Mitch Barnett
Hooker: Wayde Egan
Backrowers: Marata Niukore and Kurt Capewell
Lock: Tohu Harris
The NRL generally is a brutal enterprise, and Jackson Ford is about to be brutally demoted in 2024.
The former Dragon was spectacular final season below Andrew Webster, changing into one of many rookie coach’s most constant gamers.
However, veteran Kurt Capewell’s expertise and abilities are set to displace him from the beginning backrow alongside damaging ahead Marata Niukore.
Tohu Harris, the Warriors’ ever-present captain, is a very skilful lock and his fingers rival some NRL playmakers.
Elsewhere Wayde Egan has a career-best 12 months within the No.9 jersey however will likely be determined to keep away from concussion within the upcoming season.
In the entrance row Addin Fonua-Blake is without doubt one of the NRL’s premier props and was named within the Dally M Team of the Year.
Alongside him will likely be Knights recruit Mitch Barnett who loved a profitable first season throughout the Tasman.
New Zealand’s ahead pack know tally on the factors and have essentially the most attempt involvements within the competitors with 3.33 per sport.
They additionally paved the way for assist and decoy runs, recording 47.37 per sport and have essentially the most linebreaks with 51.
KNIGHTS — C+
Predicted pack
Props: Daniel Saifiti and Jacob Saifiti/Leo Thompson
Hooker: Jayden Brailey
Backrowers: Tyson Frizell and Dylan Lucas/Kai Pearce-Paul
Lock: Adam Elliott
Adam O’Brien has an enormous choice to make relating to the make-up of his backrow following the departure of Lachlan Fitzgibbon.
English recruit Kai-Pearce Paul and rookie Dylan Lucas will likely be each pushing for the spot, while Jed Cartwright may additionally make a case to start out.
Whoever will get the nod will accomplice Tyson Frizell, who’s an skilled edge ahead.
Elsewhere, the entrance row trio of Daniel Saifiti, Jacob Saifiti and Leo Thompson will all make a dent in opposition defences, with one of many three beginning off the bench.
Jayden Brailey will probably additionally take up his beginning spot at hooker and the Knights skipper will likely be supported by Phoenix Crossland.
That leaves Adam Elliott as Newcastle’s first selection lock, having taking part in within the function for almost all of the 2023 season.
Statistically, the Knights ahead pack are missing in working metres and recorded the third least within the competitors per sport with solely 656.46.
SHARKS — B
Predicted pack
Props: Toby Rudolf and Braden Hamlin-Uele
Hooker: Blayke Brailey
Backrowers: Teig Wilton and Briton Nikora
Lock: Dale Finucane
The Sharks aren’t set to make any modifications to their pack for 2024 however will welcome again one key man within the backrow.
Teig Wilton suffered a season-ending knee injuring in July, nevertheless he’s set to return to the left edge and forge a partnership with Braydon Trindal.
Briton Nikora will as soon as once more function on the suitable facet and his onerous line working will as soon as once more be essential to Cronulla’s success.
Toby Rudolf and Braden Hamlin-Uele each are strong entrance rowers and can make up a strong center rotation that might embody Royce Hunt, Oregon Kaufusi and Tom Hazelton.
Meanwhile, Blayke Brailey will as soon as once more be the person to put on the No.9 and 2024 might be an enormous season for the gun hooker.
He was included within the NSW squad for Game I however will likely be determined to push his case for a spot within the 17 below Michael Maguire subsequent 12 months.
Veteran Dale Finucane as soon as once more takes up the lock spot, main Craig Fitzgibbon’s facet across the park.
The Sharks’ pack run for the sixth most per sport of any staff, tallying 734.32 working metres.
They additionally recorded the second most linebreaks of any ahead pack, with a staggering 46.
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ROOSTERS — B+
Predicted pack
Props: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Lindsay Collins
Hooker: Brandon Smith
Backrowers: Siua Wong and Nat Butcher
Lock: Victor Radley
The Roosters pack seems settled as soon as once more for 2024, however one low season recruit will likely be pushing for a beginning spot.
Former Panther Spencer Leniu is a confirmed hazard man off the bench, however the 23-year-old will likely be determined to be within the run on facet at his new membership.
Regardless, Trent Robinson will probably follow the tried and trusted pairing of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Lindsay Collins earlier than letting Leniu free.
Marquee man Brandon Smith may also be hoping to construct from a powerful finish to his 2023 marketing campaign the place he discovered his toes on the Tricolours.
Victor Radley’s self-discipline is bettering and rugby league followers know simply how good the English worldwide might be when he retains a degree head.
Meanwhile, Nat Butcher is a real workhorse and Siua Wong is without doubt one of the most fun children within the NRL.
Needless to say the Roosters as soon as once more may have a dangerous ahead pack in 2024.
However, they do let themselves down within the statistics division and run for the second least metres of any ahead pack, with solely 650.08 per sport.
They even have the least attempt involvements per sport with solely 2.00.
RAIDERS — B-
Predicted pack
Props: Josh Papalii and Joseph Tapine
Hooker: Zac Woolford
Backrowers: Hudson Young and Elliott Whitehead
Lock: Corey Horsburgh
The Raiders are one other staff unlikely to make any modifications to their beginning pack for 2024.
Corey Horsburgh, recent off an Origin debut, will likely be hoping to proceed his wealthy vein of kind in 2024.
He went from power to power final season and emerged as one of many hardest-working gamers within the NRL.
At hooker, Zac Woolford will probably as soon as once more take up the place in a one-two punch with Tom Starling off the bench.
Hudson Young will likely be determined to combat his method again into Origin choice conversations after making his Blues debut earlier than being dropped.
Meanwhile, Elliott Whitehead and Josh Papalii have already revealed 2024 will likely be their final seasons within the NRL.
Joseph Tapine is the ultimate member of this pack and the Kiwis worldwide is one other extremely gifted center ahead.
Where the Raiders want to enhance is of their assist play, tallying the second worst quantity of assist and decoy efforts per 80 minutes.
They additionally ran for the fifth least of each staff, recording 679.80 working metres per sport.
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RABBITOHS — A-
Predicted pack
Props: Tevita Tatola and Tom Burgess
Hooker: Damien Cook
Backrowers: Keaon Koloamatangi and Jai Arrow
Lock: Cameron Murray
The Rabbitohs boast a few of the most harmful forwards within the competitors.
Cameron Murray is without doubt one of the NRL’s premier locks and is a constant representative-level performer, incomes Origin and worldwide honours in 2023.
Murray leads the way in which for South Sydney and is a vital determine within the membership’s potential title cost subsequent season.
Tevita Tatola battled with knee accidents final 12 months however is a strong prop and forges a powerful partnership with Tom Burgess within the entrance rower.
Meanwhile, Damien Cook can be amongst the most effective hookers in rugby league and his working sport is extremely damaging from the ruck.
Keaon Koloamatangi earnt a Blues debut for Game III of the Origin sequence after a season of success in Redfern and might be a long-term determine within the NSW outfit.
Elsewhere, Jai Arrow can be a constant ahead and his expertise can’t be understated.
The Rabbitohs dominate the working metres statistics and lead the competitors with 786.75 per sport.
EELS — B+
Predicted pack
Props: Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Hooker: Brendan Hands
Backrowers: Shaun Lane and Bryce Cartwright
Lock: J’maine Hopgood
The Eels have an extremely sturdy pack on paper, however do have one massive weak spot.
Following Josh Hodgson’s retirement the hooker spot is up for grabs and younger gun Brendan Hands might be the person to take up the vacant jersey.
He had a breakout season in 2023 however will compete with mid-season recruit Joey Lussick to start out subsequent season.
Elsewhere the mix of Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard within the entrance row is without doubt one of the finest within the NRL and each gamers have performed consultant soccer.
Shaun Lane will likely be determined to remain on the sector after accidents harm his taking part in time final season, however as soon as once more the previous Manly man is one other harmful participant.
Bryce Cartwright did sufficient final season to maintain his spot on the suitable edge and was one in all Brad Arthur’s most dependable gamers.
Meanwhile, J’maine Hopgood is a real star within the making and was even included in Queensland’s Origin squad for Game III, such is the opinion coach Billy Slater has of him.
The Eels’ forwards document the third most working metres of any staff with 771.79, while additionally recording sturdy attempt involvements per sport with 2.79 each 80 minutes.
COWBOYS — B-
Predicted pack
Props: Jason Taumalolo and Coen Hess
Hooker: Reece Robson
Backrowers: Jeremiah Nanai and Luciano Leilua
Lock: Reuben Cotter
The Cowboys slumped out of the finals in 2023 after ending third within the common season in 2022.
While their ahead pack weren’t solely guilty, this group should step up if Todd Payten’s outfit wish to play post-season footy.
Jason Taumalolo and Reuben Cotter play comparable roles within the center on this staff and each might be named at prop or lock alongside Coen Hess.
Cotter is without doubt one of the most constant and hardest-working gamers in rugby league, whereas Taumalolo had a dip in kind final 12 months.
Reece Robson earnt his first consultant call-up when chosen at hooker for NSW below Brad Fittler, being rewarded for a strong few seasons in Townsville.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah Nanai can be among the best ballrunners within the NRL and can be one other who performed in Origin in 2023.
Alongside him might be Luciano Leilua who’s an enormous physique and a tough gap runner who can do injury on an edge.
The Cowboys sit center of the highway in terms of working metres, however do excel in metres per run, recording the second most at 8.89.
Outside of that, their statistics aren’t overly spectacular.
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SEA EAGLES — C+
Predicted pack
Props: Taniela Paseka and Jake Trbojevic
Hooker: Lachlan Croker
Backrowers: Haumole Olakau’atu and Josh Schuster
Lock: Josh Aloiai
The Sea Eagles pack will welcome one man again to the sting after a season spent within the halves.
Josh Schuster, who was dropped from the Manly facet in 2023 twice, will return to the backrow with Luke Brooks taking his No.6 jersey.
Schuster is a gifted participant and it stays to be seen whether or not he can maximise his abilities within the ahead pack.
He companions Haumole Olakau’atu on the sting who is without doubt one of the NRL’s scariest forwards, packing a punch and forging a powerful partnership with Daly Cherry-Evans.
Both Jake Trbojevic and Josh Aloiai might be named at both prop or lock and each gamers are constant performers within the center alongside Taniela Paseka.
Meanwhile, Lachlan Croker is considerably of an unsung hero for Manly and at all times give it his all within the No.9 jersey.
Manly’s pack have a surprisingly good working metres whole common, recording the seventh most per 80 minutes with 721.67.
DOLPHINS — C+
Predicted pack
Props: Tom Flegler and Jesse Bromwich
Hooker: Jeremy Marshall-King
Backrowers: Felise Kaufusi and Connelly Lemuelu
Lock: Tom Gilbert
The Dolphins have added one marquee recruit to their ahead pack for the 2024 season.
Broncos gun Tom Flegler joins Wayne Bennett’s facet and can change into a central determine within the NRL newcomer’s pack for years to return.
He will probably accomplice veteran Jesse Bromwich who has performed over 300 first grade video games and is a key man for the Dolphins.
Jeremy Marshall-King battled shoulder accidents to shut out his season however confirmed he’s a real high quality hooker and the NRL newcomers want him match and firing.
Felise Kaufusi delivered a few of the largest hits in current reminiscence to start out the 2023 season and Connely Lemuelu additionally had a breakout 12 months, incomes his spot as a beginning backrower below Bennett.
Tom Gilbert was an enormous loss for the seventeenth franchise, struggling a shoulder dislocation in Origin Game I.
The former Cowboy led the way in which from lock and his presence was sorely missed for the remainder of the 12 months, so the Dolphins want him firing in 2024.
Statistically, the Dolphins’ ahead pack sat within the center for majority of statistics, however had been missing when it got here to assist and decoy runners, tallying the third least within the competitors per 80 minutes.
TITANS — B-
Predicted pack
Props: Moeaki Fotuaika and Keenan Palasia
Hooker: Sam Verrills
Backrowers: Beau Fermor and David Fifita
Lock: Tino Fa’asuamalaeaui
The Titans have added a secret weapon for the 2024 season, with Keenan Palasia a powerful likelihood of beginning at prop below Des Hasler.
The former Bronco had a breakout 12 months in 2023 and confirmed his high quality in a powerful center rotation at Red Hill.
He will probably accomplice Moeaki Fotuaika who’s a consultant participant and makes constant dents in opposition defensive strains.
Sam Verrills, when match, is a succesful hooker and is a good organiser, main his pack across the half from the ruck.
Meanwhile, the backrow pairing of Beau Fermor and David Fifita is without doubt one of the competitors’s most damaging and strikes worry into the hearts of rivals.
Throw within the combine consultant celebrity Tino Fa’asuamalaeaui and the Titans have a genuinely harmful pack for 2024.
Last season they led the competitors for metres tallied per run, recording 8.91 each time a ahead carried the ball.
They additionally had essentially the most gamers recording between 150-175 working metres of any staff with 18, 5 greater than the closest finest.
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Matty stitched up with all-time heckler | 09:35
BULLDOGS — C-
Predicted pack
Props: Liam Knight and Max King
Hooker: Reed Mahoney
Backrowers: Viliame Kikau and Jacob Preston
Lock: Josh Curran
The Bulldogs have made a mountain of signings forward of the 2024 season, however just one recent face may begin below Cameron Ciraldo.
The addition of Warriors gun Josh Curran solves their lock headache and the gifted ahead is a good addition.
However, the Canterbury-Bankstown membership do must bolster their center ahead shares with Liam Knight and Max King in line to be the present starters.
2023 recruit Reed Mahoney, who can be the Bulldogs’ captain, didn’t have the most effective season by his personal lofty requirements.
So anticipate the gun No.9 to enhance with one other season below his belt alongside his new teammates.
Meanwhile, Viliame Kikau was restricted to solely 9 video games in 2023 attributable to a pectoral harm.
However, he and Jacob Preston are two of essentially the most dynamic backrowers within the NRL and each gamers are true try-scoring threats.
Statistically in 2023, the Dogs had been the worst staff of any, tallying the least working metres per sport with solely 613.92.
They additionally had the final quantity of attempt involvements of forwards per sport with solely 2.
However, they are going to be determined to enhance drastically in 2024.
DRAGONS — D+
Predicted pack
Props: Blake Lawrie and Hame Sele
Hooker: Jacob Liddle
Backrowers: Jaydn Su’A and Dan Russell/Jack Bird
Lock: Jack Bird/Jack de Belin
The Dragons have added one participant to this ahead pack for 2024, with Hame Sele probably beginning within the entrance row alongside Blake Lawrie.
Experienced Storm ahead Tom Eisenhuth is probably going beginning off the bench, however will likely be a key man below Shane Flanagan.
Meanwhile, Jacob Liddle as soon as once more takes up his spot within the No.9 jersey, with the backrow and lock spots up for grabs.
Jack de Belin may begin within the No.13 jersey, however that will depend on gifted ahead Jack Bird.
Bird has made it clear he desires to play within the centres, however is also utilised at lock or within the backrow below Flanagan.
No NRL fan can doubt his high quality and the Dragons want him firing to push for finals in 2024.
Jaydn Su’A is a lock to start out on an edge and he might be partnered by Bird of Dan Russell who had a breakout season in 2023.
As it stands, the make-up of the Red V ahead pack may change drastically, which may spark an enormous shift in statistical output.
The Dragons ran for the fourth least of any staff per sport in 2023, tallying solely 660.29 working metres.
Meanwhile, they’d the worst attempt involvements per sport of forwards with solely 2, nevertheless did make up for it by recording the second most assist and decoy efforts with 46.63.
TIGERS — C+
Predicted pack
Props: David Klemmer and Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker: Api Koroisau
Backrowers: John Bateman and Isaiah Papali’i
Lock: Fonua Pole
On paper the Tigers ahead pack is spectacular.
David Klemmer and Stefano Utoikamanu are two gifted props and each gamers have represented NSW at Origin degree.
Api Koroisau is without doubt one of the sport’s finest hookers and was a NSW Origin consultant in 2023 earlier than he broke his jaw in ugly scenes.
Fonua Pole can be an upcoming expertise and will develop right into a strong lock within the coming years if he’s handed the No.13 jersey.
To spherical out this pack John Bateman and Isaiah Papali’i make up the backrow.
Papali’i didn’t have the most effective begin to life with the Tigers and will likely be determined to make up for it in 2024.
Meanwhile, Bateman is all effort and confirmed he’s a real chief at totally different levels final season.
Statistically the Tigers forwards additionally delivered, working for the eighth most per sport of any facet with 713.79 metres on common.
However, their attempt involvements had been equal worst within the NRL, with solely two per 80 minutes.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
