Kings were in the mix with a month remaining in the 2025 GPS First XV regular season but struggled from that point on while a host of stars watched on from the sideline.

A number of those players return in 2026 though and are fit ahead of a bumper round one clash against Joeys at North Parramatta.

Overview with Hugh Perrett: 

“Yeah, look, I’d like to have had a few more weeks in preparation. Obviously, we’ve only had two trials but I think Joeys have only played one more to us so we’ll both probably be a little underdone going into round one,” Perrett told Rugby News. 

“I think we’ll grow into the season, put it that way. We’ve done some good stuff in the trials, but we’ve also identified some issues that we need to address as well. 

“Last year was a bit of a funny one. With four weeks to go we were equal first and then dropped our last four games so both Jimmy and I were frustrated. 

“We lost two of those games after the bell, then got blown away by Newington. 

“But we had five players in the Aussie 18s though, so we had the top end talent. We just lacked the depth that some of the other schools have.”

2026 Squad: 

“We’ve got a lot of boys returning from last year and at this stage everyone is fit and firing,” the coach said optimistically. 

“Talen (Risati) obviously didn’t play much last year through injury. Then we’ve got Ollie Smith and Hasani Bloomfield and Toby Davies at openside. They are quality players. 

“Chris Suaalii has really impressed in the trials. He’s gradually improved over the last few years and earned his spot while in year 10. He’s a good prospect. “They we’ve got some good year 11 kids as well so it’s a fair mix.”

What style of rugby will we see from Kings? 

“I guess it’s probably easier to set a game plan based on the players that you’ve got rather than trying to push something that doesn’t suit the group.

“I had a few Eastwood old boys come down and watch our last trial and they were blown away with the quality. 

“Most teams like to throw the ball around in GPS footy and we’ll continue that. We’ve got Joeys first up and that’s how they like to play. 

“But then Riverview kicked the ball almost twice as much as anyone else last year and won the competition. 

“That doesn’t say much for running rugby, but I think it had a fair bit to do with having someone like Angus Grover at No.9 steering them around.”

Who is the team to beat? 

“That’s a tough one to answer this year, it looks pretty even from the trial form,” Perrett said. 

“Newington have a big forward pack but I don’t know a lot about their backs. Scots have thrown the cheque book out again to try and win a competition, Joeys will be Joeys and Shore could surprise teams. 

“So, yeah, to be fair, I can’t pick a winner at this stage.”