NRL Auckland Nines 2016: SuperCoach players to watch, NRL stars, top tips, match times, draw and squads

THE squads, the stars, the jerseys, the TV times, match schedules, latest news, top tips and more. Auckland Nines Ultimate Guide.

NRL Auckland Nines: squads, draw, tips, TV, guide

• AUCKLAND NINES LIVE COVERAGE
• Shock $1 million proposal for Nines
• 123 players fighting for future at Nines
• Tom Sangster’s SuperCoach Nines preview
• Make or break seasons starting at the Nines

IT is high-speed, adrenaline-rush footy at its best.

A pre-season appetiser for what is shaping as an epic 2016 NRL season.

Here’s everything you need to know about this weekend’s Auckland Nines.

What: 2016 Auckland Nines

When: Two-day tournament from Saturday February 6-7.

Time: First game kicks off 10.30am AEDT Saturday and 8.35am AEDT Sunay

Where: Eden Park, Auckland

Who: All 16 NRL clubs.

TV: Fox Sports will be covering every game

Prizemoney: $2.4m

FOLLOW NOW: AUCKLAND NINES LIVE COVERAGE

STARS: The young guns leading the way at Nines

WHAT A START!: Barrett kicks off Manly coaching career amid drama, injury and controversy

BETTING

The Warriors are the current favourites at $3.50 with the Cowboys coming in second at $5.50 Parramatta are worth a bit of a look at $9.00 but if you really want to take a long shot get on the Storm. They’re paying $41, the equal longest odds of the tournament, but are far better than their price indicates. All prices correct as of Thursday midday.

(L-R) Jacob Lillyman, Konrad Hurrell, Blake Ayshford, Shaun Johnson, Ryan Hoffman, Albert Vete and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of the Vodafone Warriors.

RUGBY LEAGUE EXPERT DAVE RICCIO’S VERDICT

Finally the footy is back. It may not be the real deal, but give me the Auckland Nines following a summer slog of cricket and tennis.

Get your black books out this weekend and start jotting down the names of the game’s next rising stars.

This is the tournament which will unearth a new star, just like the Warriors did last year with Solomone Kata.

“ ... don’t write-off North Queensland, Penrith or Cronulla going all the way this year”

Keep an eye for a few veterans too, with Braith Anasta, Matty Bowen and Jason Croker checking out of their retirement homes for a final footy fling.

The home side, the New Zealand Warriors, will start tournament favourites. But don’t write-off North Queensland, Penrith or Cronulla going all the way this year.

And finally, pray that your team returns home healthy and without injuries ahead of what should be a cracking 2016 season.

RICCIO’S TIPS

Who’ll win?

Manly Sea Eagles

Who’ll be in the final?

New Zealand v Manly

The player to watch?

Parramatta’s young gun fullback Bevan French.

Jack Morris and Bevan French, left. French is a man to watch this weekend.

FAST FACTS

#The format of the tournament sees nine players take the field for two nine-minute halves. Clubs have 18 in their squads.

#The 16 competing teams have been split into four pools.

#At least 12 of each club’s top 25 salary capped players and one top five player must take part.

#Every team will play three matches against other teams in their pool.

#The top teams from each pool will qualify for the quarterfinals. The winners of the quarters will play in a knockout format through to the Grand Final.

#The South Sydney Rabbitohs are the defending champions after beating the Cronulla Sharks in extra time in the 2015 final.

The Vodafone Warriors pose during the naming of the team to compete in the NRL Auckland Nines

POOLS

Pool Hunua: Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Warriors, Broncos

Pool Waiheke: Roosters, Rabbitohs, Eels, Storm

Pool Rangitoto: Knights, Cowboys, Panthers, Wests Tigers

Pool Piha: Dragons, Raiders, Sharks, Titans

AUCKLAND NINES IN THE NEWS

Eden Park grounds crew to work overtime to ensure ready for Nines

Gavin Cooper to lead strong Nines squad

Valentine Holmes stood down from Nines

Cronulla to begin negotiations with Valentine Holmes

Former Canberra Raider Jason Croker and nephew Lachlan Croker.

SUPERCOACH GURU TOM SANGSTER’S THOUGHTS

SUPERCOACH PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tom Sangster previews the SC prospects of every club’s Auckland Nines squad

Tom Opacic

A round one wing spot is open at the Broncos, with Jack Reed (shoulder) and Lachlan Maranta (fractured wrist) to miss the first month, plus Justin Hodges (retired), Dale Copley (Roosters) and Daniel Vidot (Salford) having left. Three contenders for the spot will get a chance to show their wares at the Nines — Tom Opacic, Elijah Alick and Carlin Anderson.

Tom Opacic scores for the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Ashley Taylor

“A strong showing at the Nines could see Taylor emerge as the most popular player in SuperCoach 2016”

A strong showing at the Nines could see Taylor emerge as the most popular player in SuperCoach 2016. The reigning Holden Cup Player of the Year merely needs to produce decent form at the Nines and trials to score a starting halves spot in round one, with Kane Elgey (ACL) out for the season.

Chanel Mata’utia

The Knights have depth issues in the backline and will no doubt be forced to blood cheapies, potentially from round one. Kurt Gidley, Joseph Leilua and Carlos Tuimavave have left, while former Origin star James McManus is yet to resume training and likely to retire due to concussion. Chanel Mata’utia and young gun Jaelen Feeney appear just an injury or two away from NRL spots and have been given opportunities to impress at the Nines.

Chris McQueen of Souths tackled by Chanel Mata'utia during the Souths v Knights game.

WHO IS TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY?

Hometown heroes the Warriors go into the competition as favourites once again after picking a star-studded side. The team will be led by Kiwi superstars Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shaun Johnson and Ben Matulino.

“This could be the year the Warriors break their Nines duck”

The two-time Nines semi-finalists also feature the most exciting young backline in the comp, with David Fusitu’a, Solomone Kata, Tuimoala Lolohea and Konrad Hurrell all getting a run.

This could be the year the Warriors break their Nines duck.

The Cowboys have also signalled their intent with a powerful squad that contains 13 players from last season’s grand final winning side as well as returning legend Matt Bowen and young flyer Gideon Mosby-Gela, who holds the Under 20s record for most tries in a season with 39. North Queensland took out the inaugural Nines tournament in 2014 and they could become the first team to win multiple titles.

WHO DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN

The Bulldogs have never given the Nines respect. Coach Des Hasler famously missed the inaugural tournament, instead deciding to stay in Sydney and prepare for round one. This year, the Canterbury mentor has named just three men who played over 12 NRL games last year — Tim Browne, Greg Eastwood and Sam Kasiano, who all played 22 matches.

Sam Kasiano of the Bulldogs will be one of his clubs most experienced at the Nines.

TOM SANGSTER’S TIPS

1. Warriors

2. Panthers

3. Sharks

AUCKLAND NINES IN THE NEWS

Jamie Buhrer sidesteps injury fears ahead of Auckland Nines

Raiders legend Jason Croker will play alongside his nephew

Auckland Nines safe despite Dick Smith’s financial woes

THE JERSEYS

THE short history of the Auckland Nines is littered with jerseys that would make Stevie Wonder cringe, but the 2016 editions will be far more palatable. NRL Auckland Nine’s jerseys unveiled

Auckland Nines rugby league players pose in their 2016 jerseys.

NICK CAMPTON’S STARS AND DARKHORSES

STAR POWER

Semi Radradra (Parramatta Eels): A former player with the world famous Fiji Rugby Sevens side, Radradra is well suited to the Nines format. He made his mark on the inaugural tournament in 2014, leading the tryscoring lists alongside Cowboys flyer Kyle Feldt. The NRL’s leading tryscorer for the past two seasons, Radradra has the speed and power to win matches like this on his own.

Jack Bird (Cronulla Sharks): The 2015 tournament was something of a coming-out party for Bird, who starred for the Sharks as they ran all the way to the final before losing to South Sydney in extra time. With his strong all-round ability, Bird was a natural in the abbreviated format and subsequently won rookie of the year after an excellent first season in the NRL. He’ll again be one of the players to watch in 2016.

Jack Bird during the Cronulla Sharks first training session for the 2016 season.

Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys): Quicker than quick, Michael Morgan was part of the 2014 Cowboys Nines squad but is an infinitely more accomplished and dangerous player this time around. Fresh off his incredible pass to Kyle Feldt in the grand final, which allowed Feldt to stroll over untouched and send the match into golden point, Morgan is a Queensland Origin regular and one of the most dangerous running players in the league.

Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors): No player has ever been more suited to Nines football than Shaun Johnson. The Warriors halfback won the tournament MVP award in 2014 and has a litany of incredible highlight reel moments to his credit. With his touch football background, prodigious skill, lightning speed and blinding footwork, Johnson is the total package and will be hopeful of leading the Warriors to their first title.

Shaun Johnson is well suited to Nines football.

DARKHORSES

The Storm have traditionally treated the Nines as a bit of a training run, but they’ve named an underrated squad this time around. Despite the absence of Billy Slater, the Storm still have a really exciting mix of speed, skill and mobility, led by star backrower Tohu Harris, Fijian speedster Marika Koroibete and young gun fullback Cameron Munster. They’ve also sent a few of their young stars in Curtis Scott, Joe Stimson and Dean Britt and could do some serious damage if everything clicks.

Storm winger Marika Koroibete at training.

CAMPTON’S TIPS

Winners: New Zealand Warriors

Runners-up: North Queensland Cowboys

The player to watch: Cowboys winger Gideon Gela-Mosby

One to watch. Gideon Gela-Mosby, left. .

THE SQUADS

HUNUA

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Brad Abbey, Tim Browne, Dane Chisholm, Greg Eastwood (c), Adam Elliott, Matt Frawley, Danny Fualalo, Craig Garvey, Kerrod Holland, Sam Kasiano, Shaun Lane, Jarrod McInally, Pat O’Hanlon, Tyrone Phillips, Ruebenn Rennie, Reimis Smith, Chase Stanley, Tony Williams.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Jamie Buhrer, Fabian Goodall, Nathan Green, Jayden Hodges, Isaac John, Wof Lavaka, Brenton Lawrence, Blake Leary, Feleti Mateo, Tim Moltzen, Matt Parcell, Jesse Ramien, Tony Satini, Tom Symonds, Jorge Taufua, Jake Trbojevic (c), Tom Trbojevic, Brayden Wiliame.

New Zealand Warriors: Blake Ayshford, David Fusitu’a, Charlie Gubb, Ata Hingano, Ryan Hoffman, Konrad Hurrell, Shaun Johnson (c), Solomone Kata, Jacob Lillyman, Sam Lisone, Tuimoala Lolohea, Ben Matulino, Ken Maumalo, Jeff Robson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Albert Vete, Henare Wells, Jonathan Wright.

Brisbane Broncos: Jamayne Isaako, Carlin Anderson, Jai Arrow, Adam Blair, Darius Boyd, Alex Glenn, Keegan Hipgrave, Andrew McCullough, Francis Molo, Todd Murphy, Darren Nicholls, Corey Oates, Joseph Ofahengaue, Tom Opacic, Jonus Pearson, Sam Scarlett, Sam Thaiday (c), Caleb Timu.

Parramatta's Semi Radradra goes up for a bomb. Pic: Gregg Porteous

WAIHEKE

Sydney Roosters: Latrell Mitchell, Daniel Tupou, Brendan Elliot, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joe Burgess, Braith Anasta, Tyler Cornish, Isaac Liu, Ian Henderson, Abraham Papalii, Vincent Leuluai, Eloni Vunakece, Nat Butcher, Connor Watson, Joseph Manu, Nathan Smith, Joey Lussick, Omar Slaimankhel.

South Sydney Rabbitohs: Alex Johnston, Michael Oldfield, Bryson Goodwin, Ed Murphy, Cameron McInnes, Cody Walker, Damien Cook, John Sutton (c), Thomas Burgess, Kyle Turner, Jason Clark, Paul Carter, Chris Grevsmuhl, John Olive, Kirisome Auva’a, Hymel Hunt, Jack Gosiewski, Zane Musgrove.

Parramatta Eels: Mitch Cornish, Bureta Faraimo, John Folau, Bevan French, David Gower, Luke Kelly, Cameron King, Manu Ma’u, Tepai Moeroa, Ryan Morgan, Cody Nelson, Corey Norman (c), Junior Paulo, Semi Radradra, Kelepi Tanginoa, Peni Terepo, Vai Toutai, Matt Woods.

Melbourne Storm: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Dean Britt, Kenny Bromwich, Brodie Croft, Dale Finucane, Blake Green (c), Ben Hampton, Tohu Harris, Jeremy Hawkins, Richie Kennar, Marika Koroibete, Cameron Munster, Mark Nicholls, Curtis Scott, Nafe Seluini, Joe Stimson, Young Tonumaipea, Tony Tumusa.

Tariq Sims on the charge for the Knights.

RANGITOTO

Newcastle Knights: Jake Mamo, Nathan Ross, Jaelen Feeney, Akuila Uate, Brock Lamb, Will Pearsell, Pauli Pauli, Tyler Randell (c), Daniel Saifiti, Korbin Sims, Robbie Rochow (c), Jacob Saifiti, Sione Mata’utia, Joseph Tapine, Tariq Sims (c), Chanel Mata’utia, Danny Levi, Pat Mata’utia.

North Queensland Cowboys: Matthew Bowen, Kyle Feldt, Justin O’Neill, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Lachlan Coote, Ray Thompson, John Asiata, Jake Granville, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Ethan Lowe, Jason Taumalolo, Michael Morgan, Rory Kostjasyn, Coen Hess, Matthew Wright, Gideon Gela-Mosby.

Penrith Panthers: Waqa Blake, Suaia Matagi, Bryce Cartwright, Zach Dockar-Clay, Ben Garcia, Corey Harawira, Robert Jennings, Sione Katoa, Jeremy Latimore, Moses Leota, Josh Mansour, Te Maire Martin, James Segeyaro, Chris Smith, Will Smith, Elijah Taylor, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Isaah Yeo.

Wests Tigers: Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Buchanan, Tyler Cassel, Michael Chee-Kam, Manaia Cherrington, Josh Drinkwater, Rod Griffin, Watson Heleta, Justin Hunt, Chris Lawrence (c), Lamar Liolevave, Jack Littlejohn, Kyle Lovett, Nathan Milone, Kevin Naiqama, Ava Seumanufagai, Tim Simona, Sauaso Sue.

Jorge Taufua during Tonga training. Pic: Mark Evans

PIHA

St George Illawarra Dragons: Euan Aitken, Jack de Belin, Matt Dufty, Josh Dugan (c), Kalifa Faifai Loa, Jay Gallagher, Yaw Kiti Glymin, Jacob Host, Drew Hutchison, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Tim Lafai, Dunamis Lui, Kurt Mann, Jake Marketo, Josh McCrone, Tyrone McCarthy, Reuben Garrick, Mitch Rein.

Canberra Raiders: Kurt Baptiste, Luke Bateman, Shannon Boyd, Jason Croker, Jarrod Croker (c), Lachlan Croker, Thomas Cronan, Chevi Ellis, Jarrad Kennedy, Rhys Kennedy, Brenko Lee, Kato Ottio, Jordan Rapana, Zac Santo, Paul Vaughan, Sisa Waqa, Jack Williams, Sam Williams.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: Ben Barba, Gerard Beale, Jack Bird, Mitch Brown, Kurt Capewell, Josh Cleeland, Jordan Drew, Sosaia Feki, David Fifita, Chris Heighington, Ricky Leutele, Luke Lewis, Matt McIlwrick, Joseph Paulo, Matt Prior, Sam Tagataese, Chad Townsend.

Gold Coast Titans: Greg Bird, Lachlan Burr, Nathan Davis, Brian Kelly, Greg Leleisiuao, Nene Macdonald, Chris McQueen, David Mead, Daniel Mortimer, Agnatius Paasi, Nathaniel Peteru, Tyrone Roberts, Matt Srama, Ash Taylor, Shannon Walker, Shane Wright, Jeff Lynch, Anthony Don.

Ben Barba after losing the NRL semi-final.

THE ENTIRE SCHEDULE

Day 1 (TIMES AEDT)

10:30am Roosters vs. Rabbitohs

10:55am Eels vs. Storm

11:20am Knights vs. Cowboys

11:45am Panthers vs. Tigers

12:20pm Warriors vs. Bulldogs

12:45pm Sea Eagles vs. Broncos

1:10pm Dragons vs. Raiders

1:35pm Sharks vs. Titans

2:25pm Rosters vs. Eels

2:50pm Rabbitohs vs. Storm

3:15pm Knights vs. Panthers

3:40pm Cowboys vs. Tigers

4:15pm Warriors vs. Sea Eagles

4:40pm Bulldogs vs. Broncos

5.05pm Dragons vs. Sharks

5:30pm Raiders vs. Titans

Day 2

8:35am Roosters vs. Storm

9:00am Rabbitohs vs. Eels

9:25am Knights vs. Tigers

9:50am Cowboys vs. Panthers

10:15am Bulldogs vs. Sea Eagles

10:40am Warriors vs. Broncos

11:05am Dragons vs. Titans

11:30am Raiders vs. Sharks

Josh Hoffman scores for the Titans in their game against Canberra during the 2015 event.

FINALS

11:55am Quarter-final 1

12:20pm Quarter-final 2

1:05pm Quarter-final 3

1:30pm Quarter-final 4

2:40pm: Semi-final: Winner QF1 vs. QF2

3:05pm: Semi final: Winner QF3 vs. QF4

4.40pm: Grand final

Bryson Goodwin scores for South Sydney in their semi final against the Eels in 2015.

Originally published as NRL Auckland Nines 2016: SuperCoach players to watch, NRL stars, top tips, match times, draw and squads