NRL Nines: Players who can save their careers at Perth tournament
Perform or perish. The rugby league Nines has provided a platform for many to showcase their skills over the years, but these players must stand up to survive.
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A son of a Raiders legend whose sister plays professional football, a carpentry apprentice from Maitland, a former Australian Schoolboy and a Newtown prop coming off consecutive premierships.
The rugby league Nines has provided a platform for many players to showcase their skills over the years, but it can also save careers.
Here are the players who need to perform at the annual tournament to secure an NRL deal. They are on train-and-trial contracts, which means they have to produce the goods at the Nines or they will head home empty-handed.
KNIGHTS:
Matt Soper-Lawler
Three years after playing in Newcastle’s lower-grade system, this proud Maitland Pickers junior is back for another crack.
Soper-Lawler last turned out for the Knights in 2016, when he played for both the under-20 and NSW Cup sides.
Now after three years in the Intrust Super Cup in Queensland, including two seasons at the Sunshine Coast Falcons and one at Souths Logan, the 23-year-old carpentry apprentice is determined to finally crack the big time.
Soper-Lawler has a proven ability to find the line and will excel in the Nines after being the joint-leading tryscorer in the Intrust Super Cup with the Magpies last year.
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The versatile back is determined to leave nothing in the tank when he dons a Knights jumper at the Nines in Perth.
“I think every kid in Newcastle dreams of playing for the Knights,’’ Soper-Lawler told the Queensland Rugby League website.
“I’d love to play NRL — that’s the main goal.
“That’s the focus for now until it happens. If it doesn’t, I’ll have to focus on other things. But for now, for the next year or two, that’s the focus — to put everything into it and hopefully reap the rewards.
“I play pretty passionate, always try to win and try and be the best player out there, no matter what the scoreline.”
Tyronne Roberts-Davis
If you want an example of how persistence pays off, former Australian Schoolboys star Roberts-Davis is your man.
You could have forgiven the Macksville-born back for walking away from the game after making just seven NRL appearances for the Gold Coast in two seasons from 2017 to 2018.
Instead, Roberts-Davis kept pushing and was rewarded with a 16-week train and trial contract with the Knights, including an appearance at this weekend’s Nines.
The 22-year-old, who made his NRL debut with the Titans in 2017, is ready-made for the Nines format given he can cover centre, wing and fullback.
TITANS:
Jaimin Jolliffe
After winning consecutive premierships with the Newtown Jets last season, this hardworking prop is keen to prove his worth in the NRL.
The Wagga Kangaroos junior swept all before him last season to collect the Canterbury Cup title, the state championship and the Jets’ best-and-fairest player award.
Jolliffe also played in an under-20s Cronulla Sharks side in 2016 that went through to the semi-finals before losing to eventual champions the Sydney Roosters. He will provide a fast Titans side with plenty of power, while his platform upfront will help the likes of Tyrone Peachey and Anthony Don.
PANTHERS:
Tyson Smoothy
He has excelled with the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Intrust Super Cup and the Brisbane Broncos under-20s, now Smoothy is ready to star on the NRL stage.
This super fit and smart hooker will be an asset for Penrith at the Nines, especially at the back end of games when players fatigue.
Falcons coach Sam Mauhinney recently declared that he doesn’t expect to see Smoothy back on the Sunshine Coast following his train and trial stint with the Panthers
RAIDERS:
Dan Keir
As far as family sporting pedigrees go, this rising Raiders back is hard to beat.
Keir’s dad Steve played first-grade rugby league for Canberra, Eastern Suburbs and North Sydney in the 1980s.
His sister Lauren plays football in the W-League for Canberra United, his mother Dianne represented the ACT in hockey while older sister Ashley is aiming to become a tennis pro.
Dan is equally as talented, having impressed in Canberra’s under-20s side and with Mounties in the Jersey Flegg Cup.
Now he has his sights set on making his NRL debut this year after impressing at the Nines in Perth.
Daine Spencer
He is the Darwin-born fullback who has overcome one shoulder and two knee reconstructions to push his claims for an NRL debut.
After fending off a host of potentially career-ending injuries, Spencer starred with the Woden Valley Rams in the Canberra competition in 2018.
He claimed rookie-of-the-year honours as he helped the Rams claim their first premiership in 22 years.
Spencer excelled for the Raiders in the Jersey Flegg Cup last season.
He scored four tries and amassed a whopping 50 tackle breaks in his 10 appearances.
Spencer will get his chance to shine at the Nines in Perth in a bid to secure an NRL deal.
Duwanye Mariner
He is a barnstorming prop born in Penrith who has joined Canberra via an under-20s stint with the Sydney Roosters.
Mariner played 17 games for the Raiders in the Jersey Flegg (under-20s) ranks last season, scoring a try and running for 1800m.
The 19-year-old could be an X-factor for the Raiders at the Nines with his size and speed.
Originally published as NRL Nines: Players who can save their careers at Perth tournament
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