Auckland Nines: Bevan French, Te Maire Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Gideon Gela-Mosby lead way for stars of future

UNEARTHING tomorrow’s NRL superstars has quickly become an Auckland Nines tradition. Check out who has lit up the tournament so far.

Gideon Gela-Mosbyraces away to a try in the Cowboys v Wests Tigers game during the Auckland Nines at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand. pic Mark Evans

BEVAN French, the night before the Auckland Nines, rang his uncle, Nathan Blacklock.

Again on Saturday morning, he did the same.

And why?

“We play the same type of footy,’’ the Parramatta rookie grins.

“Whatever comes, comes.”

Standing now deep inside the bowels of Eden Park, having just conjured an Eels comeback against the Roosters, French is doing his best to play down the hype. You know, that ‘Next Big Thing’ buzz which, at 16, saw him playing first grade with his hometown team, the Tingha Tigers.

Then the following year, convinced six NRL clubs to go chasing the scrawny full-back’s signature.

And now, at 20, the indigenous young gun will on Sunday look to cement his place in what is quickly becoming a Nines tradition — unearthing tomorrow’s superstars.

It’s the same deal with Panther Te Maire Martin. And gun Rooster ­Latrell Mitchell, who himself scored in the Eels game after a sizzling run up the left touchline from inside his own half.

And how quick is Gideon Gela-Mosby? The North Queensland flyer who, after crossing for a double in his first senior game against Newcastle, backed up with two more against Wests Tigers. Looking every inch the Torres Strait prodigy who, in NYC last year, scored 39 tries in 22 games — including four four-in-a-games.

Gideon Gela-Mosby races away to a try for the Cowboys. Picture: Mark Evans

While the Roosters have Mitchell on a media ban, club great Braith Anasta was happy to talk him up.

Despite dropping a catchable try-scoring opportunity against the Eels, Mitchell was strong on a day when the Bondi boys were twice beaten on the bell by Souths and Parramatta

“Latrell was really good today,’’ Anasta said.

“He’s got that X-factor, able to create something from nothing. He has a real raw talent yet, if he needs to roll up his sleeves, he can do that as well.

“In defence he doesn’t shirk anything. Goes in as hard as he can.

“Really, he’s got every attribute. Now he just needs to get his engine right. A full pre-season into some hard work.”

And while French twice phoned uncle to get some Nines advice — “he just told me to back myself, said that’s how he got here” — Anasta ­revealed Mitchell had approached him on game day for advice.

“Yeah, we did have a chat this morning,’’ the retired No. 6 said.

“There was a chance he would come on and play some six if I went off. And he could do that.

“Latrell could play six ... but he could play anywhere.”