NRL Supercoach 2026: Q+A, can we start without Payne Haas in Rd 1?

·24 min·2 clips

Is it crazy to skip Payne Haas at $852k and use the cash on cheaper front-rowers like Toby Couchman?

The episode opens with Tim Williams welcoming listeners to the first Q&A of the 2026 NRL Supercoach season, addressing Discord access issues for subscribers. He begins by answering a question about Tom Trbojevic's Supercoach scores without Daly Cherry-Evans, noting the lack of sample size due to DCE's durability. Williams then delves into multiple questions on the new NRL rule change introducing a six-man bench, explaining how it complicates Supercoach by risking cheap fringe players getting minimal minutes and affecting auto-emergency looping strategies. He advises against selecting borderline players like Kehlani Going in favor of out-and-out nuffs like James Walsh, who is injured. Next, Williams lists players to watch in trials, including Sua Fa'alogo's fullback role at Melbourne, the Newcastle Knights' forward pack for Kalyn Ponga, Cody Walker's fitness, Olixt Taffa at Brisbane, and Lachlan Galvin at Canterbury. A sponsorship segment promotes Mountain Culture Beer Co. as the podcast's partner. The core discussion revolves around a question from Sammy Shembury on starting without Payne Haas, with Williams analyzing alternatives like Toby Couchman and Isaiah Papali'i, noting Haas isn't a must-have at his high price. Further questions cover running double cheapy halfbacks Ethan Sanders and King Tonga, CTW bench structures, using Haas in the flex position, Jaden Su'a as a pod option, and Tommy Flegler's minutes at Dolphins. Williams concludes by teasing regular Q&As and live Discord sessions throughout the season.

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