The engine room is the heart and soul of every rugby league team, and no team has ever won a competition with a poor forward pack.

It's really quite as simple as that.

SEE ALSO: Every NRL club's spine ranked for 2026

The spine might get all the credit, and the outside backs provide all the flash, but they might as well all stay in the dressing room.

RELATED: Every NRL club's outside backs ranked for 2026

For the purposes of this exercise, and given hookers were included in the spine, we will be looking at the prop, lock and second-row positions to determine which NRL side has the best forward pack.

Here are the rankings for the 2026 campaign.

10. Sydney Roosters

Likely first-choice: Naufahu Whyte, Lindsay Collins, Blake Steep, Angus Crichton, Nat Butcher

The Roosters enter 2026 with plenty of questions lingering over what their best forward pack looks like, but either way, the talent to compete.

Naufahu Whyte was one of 2025s breakout stars and starts the campaign alongside Lindsay Collins up front.

Blake Steep is one of the game's most impressive youngsters, and the tri-colours don't lose a whole lot having him start over Connor Watson or the suspended Victor Radley.

Angus Crichton, into his final NRL season, still brings plenty to the table, and the Roosters will be hoping to get Nat Butcher back to his best in the campaign ahead.

This is a forward pack with the potential to play well above expectations, but also, the chance of being below them.

1 COMMENT