SuperCoach 2016: Tom Sangster previews the SC prospects of every club’s Auckland Nines squad
YOUNG guns and cheapies are the backbone of any SuperCoach side — and the Auckland Nines offers a veritable smorgasbord according to SuperCoach guru Tom Sangster.
- NRL casualty ward 2016: Your club’s pre-season injuries
- SuperCoach is back bigger and better for 2016
- NRL SuperCoach L-plate guide: Learn the basics
- NRL SuperCoach 2016 ultimate study guide
YOUNG guns and cheapies are the backbone of any SuperCoach side — and the Auckland Nines offers a veritable smorgasbord.
For most, this is the first look at a host of rookies and fringe players who are set to emerge as bargain buys in 2016, whether it be from round one or later in the season.
Here are the players to look out for.
Brisbane Broncos
Squad: Sam Thaiday (c), Elijah Alick, 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, Caleb Timu.
Lowdown: All eyes will be on the battle for a round one wing spot, which is open following injuries to Jack Reed (shoulder) and Lachlan Maranta (fractured wrist), plus the exits of Justin Hodges (retired), Dale Copley (Roosters) and Daniel Vidot (Salford). Three contenders for the spot get a chance at the Nines — the tough-as-teak Tom Opacic, speedster Elijah Alick and Queensland Cup revelation Carlin Anderson. However, the frontrunner Aaron Whitchurch will be saved for later trials. Also keep an eye out for the following forwards, who are all capable of emerging as cheapies — Francis Molo (strong in five games last year before being suspended long term for the tackle that tragically killed James Ackerman), Caleb Timu (dubbed “the next Gorden Tallis” before going on a Mormon mission) and Jai Arrow (named lock in the Holden Cup Team of Year).
Canberra Raiders
Squad: Jarrod Croker (c), Jason Croker, Lachlan Croker, Jordan Rapana, Brenko Lee, Kato Ottio, Sisa Waqa, Sam Williams, Shannon Boyd, Kurt Baptiste, Paul Vaughan, Jarrad Kennedy, Luke Bateman, Thomas Cronan, Mitch Barnett, Jack Williams, Zac Santo, Rhys Kennedy.
Lowdown: SuperCoaches get their first look of the year at Jarrod Croker and Paul Vaughan, who both loom as keeper candidates. Croker has snuck under the radar to average 60 in the last two years, while Vaughan could considerably up his output following the exits of Dane Tilse and David Shillington. Boom playmaker Lachlan Croker is highly rated in the nation’s capital and is viewed as a long-term first grader at the club, although he appears a year or two off a regular first grade spot. Zac Santo has been a much-talked-about cheapie in the past, but never got his opportunity at the Cowboys. Hopefully he can surge up the backline pecking order with a big showing at the Nines — where he impressed in the title winning side of 2014.
Canterbury Bulldogs
Squad: 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.
Lowdown: The Bulldogs have picked a very weak side once again, but the battle for round one backline spots will be essential SuperCoach viewing. With Brett Morris (knee) still in the rehab group and Tim Lafai and Corey Thompson having left, a cheapie may get a run in round one (and definitely over Origin when the Morris twins are out). Keep an eye on Tyrone Phillips, who debuted last year over Origin and is the first cheapie in line. Next cab off the rank could be former Warriors Holden Cup sensation Brad Abbey, who is considered one of the best fullback prospects in the game, although he is only 18. Kerrod Holland and Jarrod McInally may also vie for backline positions in 2016 if injuries strike.
Cronulla Sharks
Squad: 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.
Lowdown: Ben Barba can surge into SuperCoach calculations with a stunning display in Auckland. He averaged just 49 minutes last year and has been priced at a lowly average of 29. But with dual position flexibility, he will become a very popular buy if he can play his way into the starting fullback spot for round one. The pick of the cheapie bunch is undoubtedly Jordan Drew. The former Bronco made the Holden Cup Team of the Year at centre last year and signalled serious potential in 2012 when he debuted as an 18-year-old and scored a try, although he hasn’t been sighted in NRL since. The tournament could be our first glimpse of Jack Bird at fullback, although he may also take a playmaking role.
Gold Coast Titans
Squad: 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.
Lowdown: SuperCoaches should keep their eyes locked on two impressive youngsters — Ashley Taylor and Brian Kelly — who are both set to emerge as cheapies. With Kane Elgey (ACL) out for the season, reigning Holden Cup Player of the Year Taylor merely needs to produce decent pre-season form to score a starting halfback spot in round one. The highly-rated Kelly is also likely to crack the NRL at some stage this year. The Titans lack backline depth following the exits of James Roberts, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Kevin Gordon, Brad Tighe and Dave Taylor. According to Titans insiders, Kelly is just one injury away from an NRL gig in round one — and he will play NRL at some stage if he remains fit. The cousin of Albert Kelly and James Roberts scored four tries for NSW in last year’s under-20s Origin.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Squad: Jamie Buhrer, Brenton Lawrence, Fabian Goodall, Nathan Green, Isaac John, Jorge Taufua, Wof Lavaka, Feleti Mateo, Tim Moltzen, Matt Parcell, Tony Satini, Tom Symonds, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Blake Leary, Jesse Ramien, Jayden Hodges, Brayden Wiliame.
Lowdown: Brenton Lawrence is a player of serious SuperCoach interest. He starts just above cheapie price after an injury-ruined season that limited him to just one game, although he has been a points per minute gun and borderline keeper in the past. Jamie Buhrer returns from an ACL injury and SuperCoches will be keen to take a look given he could be one of the big winners from the reduced interchange. The Sea Eagles have plenty of depth this year and cheapies are unlikely to get a run — at least early in the season. Even so, keep a particular eye on 18-year-old Jesse Ramien, who killed it last year at right centre in the Holden Cup finals and has been shadowing Steve Matai in the pre-season.
Melbourne Storm
Squad: Curtis Scott, Young Tonumaipea, Richie Kennar, Cameron Munster, Marika Koroibete, Blake Green, Brodie Croft, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Ben Hampton, Mark Nicholls, Kenny Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Dale Finucane, Nafe Seluini, Jeremy Hawkins, Dean Britt, Joe Stimson, Tony Tumusa.
Lowdown: Keep an eye on the bobbing locks of Tohu Harris, who will be one of the most popular players in SuperCoach after scoring dual position status. The opportunities for cheapies come in the outside backs, where the Storm have lost Matt Duffie, Mahe Fonua, Hymel Hunt and Kurt Mann. The best cheapie prospect on show at the Nines is Jeremy Hawkins ($161,000) who played four games at the Raiders last year and is a genuine chance of a wing spot in round one behind frontrunner Cheyse Blair (note: Blair himself is hardly the worst option at $182,100, but he won’t play the Nines). Craig Bellamy has also handed jerseys to two seriously talented young outside backs who could push for cheapie berths later in the season, or even next year. Eighteen-year-old Curtis Scott was being chased by 11 clubs last year before signing with the Storm and has ousted Cameron Munster for the fullback spot at the Nines. Tony Tumusa finished 2015 as Melbourne’s leading tryscorer in Holden Cup and has put in a massive pre-season.
Newcastle Knights
Squad: Jaelen Feeney, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Brock Lamb, Danny Levi, Jake Mamo, Chanel Mata’utia, Pat Mata’utia, Sione Mata’utia, William Pearsall, Tyler Randell, Robbie Rochow, Nathan Ross, Korbin Sims, Tariq Sims, Daniel Saifiti, Jacob Saifiti, Joseph Tapine, Akuila Uate.
Lowdown: One of the most exciting sides from a SuperCoach perspective. Cheapies are certain to be blooded in the Newcastle backline in 2016 following the exits of Kurt Gidley, Joseph Leilua and Carlos Tuimavave, while former Origin star James McManus (concussion) has been ruled out for the season. Further, Sione Mata’utia (suspension) is out for round one, so there’s a very real chance a cheapie will make the team sheet for the opening week. We get a look at three key contenders at the Nines — Chanel Mata’utia, Pat Mata’utia (who both play centre and wing) and Jaelen Feeney (viewed as a fullback by Nathan Brown but can also play halves). With Beau Scott (Eels) having left and Tariq Sims (suspension) out for the first five weeks, there is also plenty of competition for wide back row spots. Robbie Rochow and Joseph Tapine have been heavily backed by SuperCoaches, and both have been handed chances to push for round one selection. While on young forwards, Lachlan Fitzgibbon is highly-rated and debuted in the NRL last year, while the gigantic Saifiti brothers will also push for NRL honours in 2016. Eighteen-year-old Brock Lamb has scored the plumb role of chief playmaker, but don’t expect him to push for NRL honours just yet.
North Queensland Cowboys
Squad: 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.
Lowdown: Coach Paul Green has named one of the strongest sides at the Nines. But from a SuperCoach perspective, it’s possibly the worst. The Cowboys have picked 13 players from last year’s grand final side. As established stars, they leave little room for SuperCoach improvement. However, Green has named two boom youngsters in Coen Hess and Gideon Gela-Mosby. Unfortunately, man mountain Hess has been priced out of SuperCoach 2016 due to a brilliant 75 on debut last season. However, Gela-Mosby is set to take the Nines — and SuperCoach — by storm. The outstanding speedster finished last season in the Holden Cup Team of the Year following an impossible haul of 38 tries from 21 matches (a record for the NYC).
Parramatta Eels
Squad: 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.
Lowdown: The Eels loom as one of the more SuperCoach-relevant sides this year due to a dream bye schedule. But their Nines team is rather bland from a SuperCoach perspective. SuperCoaches get their first look at keeper options Semi Radradra and Manu Ma’u, but neither is a realistic option until the Origin period. Cheapies are unlikely to get a crack at the Eels this year due to vastly improved depth, but keep an eye on Nines specialist French, who is a livewire of the highest order and in the mould of Nathan Blacklock and Preston Campbell.
Penrith Panthers
Squad: Elijah Taylor, Te Maire Martin, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Jeremy Latimore, Bryce Cartwright, Zach Dockar-Clay, Robert Jennings, Ben Garcia, Josh Mansour, Isaah Yeo, Corey Harawira, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Sione Katoa, James Segeyaro, Moses Leota, Will Smith, Waqa Blake, Chris Smith.
Lowdown: The Panthers have named three of the most exciting sleeper options in SuperCoach — Bryce Cartwright, James Segeyaro and Josh Mansour. All have the potential to emerge as top-shelf keepers in 2016. Coach Anthony Griffin has also named one of the most electrifying cheapie prospects in young five-eighth Te Maire Martin, who is already placing pressure on veterans Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace since joining from the Tigers. Given Griffin’s testy past relationship with Wallace at Brisbane, plus injury issues over both established playmakers, Martin is a red-hot chance to play NRL this year. His resume certainly makes for impressive reading. The Benji Marshall clone and two-time NYC five-eighth of the year was selected in New Zealand’s Test train-on squad for the end-of-season Tests despite never playing a first grade game.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Squad: 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.
Lowdown: Souths were short in the backs last year — and they are even shorter this year following the exit of Dylan Walker. Greg Inglis and Alex Johnston are now the only certainties in the outside backs, with a number of contenders given a chance to impress at the Nines. At bottom dollar, John Olive is the best prospect from a SuperCoach perspective. He was blooded for one game by Michael Maguire last year at just 18. Also keep an eye on borderline cheapies Kirisome Auva’a ($170,700), and recruits Hymel Hunt ($178,300) and Michael Oldfield ($191,200). SuperCoaches also get their first look at Cody Walker, who will debut in round one in place of Luke Keary (suspension, round two). Word out of Redfern is that Walker has been highly impressive during the pre-season and may even hold the spot going forward. Chris Grevsmuhl announced himself at the Nines last year and he’s one to watch once again. He could see massive SuperCoach improvement this year if named to start in the absence of Glenn Stewart and Chris McQueen, although he faces stiff competition from coach favourite Kyle Turner, who also takes the field in Auckland.
St George Illawarra Dragons
Squad: 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, Mose Masoe, Peter Mata’utia, Mitch Rein.
Lowdown: At a juicy $239,900, former keeper Tim Lafai will run out in the Red V for the first time. Point of difference option Jack de Belin gets an opportunity to push for the lock spot vacated by Trent Merrin. Yaw Kiti Glymin burst into prominence with a strong display in the Nines last year, and he gets another chance to propel his late-season cheapie claims after injury ruined his NRL debut in 2015. Bottom dollar back-up halves Drew Hutchison and Josh McCrone have both been named. One will emerge as a cheapie if Benji Marshall or Gareth Widdop goes down — and the Nines will give a guide of the pecking order. The tournament is likely to be Kurt Mann’s first foray at fullback, with Josh Dugan to play centre. Also keep an eye on nippy youngster Matt Dufty, who scored 21 tries in his debut year of Holden Cup.
Sydney Roosters
Squad: 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.
Lowdown: With Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Michael Jennings and Nene Macdonald having left, round one backline spots are up for grabs. And Coach Trent Robinson has certainly put out the challenge in Auckland. Apart from Blake Ferguson and Dale Copley, all backline candidates have been given a crack. Daniel Tupou, Brendan Elliot, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Joe Burgess are out of SuperCoach range. But Latrell Mitchell and Omar Slaimankhel are serious cheapie contenders. Mitchell is already the fourth most popular player in SuperCoach and will be looking to produce on his tag as “the next Greg Inglis”. Slaimankhel is totally under the radar for now, but make no mistake, this guy is in serious contention for a first grade spot at some stage this year. He killed it in the NSW Cup last season and SuperCoach ambassador Anthony Minichiello rates the tackle-busting machine as one of the best athletes at the club.
New Zealand Warriors
Squad: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Ryan Hoffman, Jacob Lillyman, David Fusitu’a, Solomone Kata, Tuimoala Lolohea, Shaun Johnson (c), Charlie Gubb, Henare Wells, Konrad Hurrell, Ben Matulino, Ken Maumalo, Jonathan Wright, Jeff Robson, Sam Lisone, Blake Ayshford, Albert Vete, Ata Hingano.
Lowdown: The Warriors have named a very strong side. SuperCoaches will be keen to see how Shaun Johnson — the second-best playmaker in SuperCoach last year — has recovered from a serious ankle break. Likewise, we eagerly await the unveiling of a newly-ripped Konrad Hurrell. He starts very cheap in SuperCoach 2016 following a poor season, but has been training the house down in the pre-season and is a SuperCoach keeper when firing. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is another serious contender for round one sides after averaging a massive 77 last year and this will be the first chance to see how he jells with his new teammates.
Wests Tigers
Squad: Chris Lawrence, Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Buchanan, Tyler Cassel, Michael Chee-Kam, Manaia Cherrington, Josh Drinkwater, Rod Griffin, Watson Heleta, Justin Hunt, Lamar Liolevave, Jack Littlejohn, Kyle Lovett, Nathan Milone, Kevin Naiqama, Ava Sumanufagai, Tim Simona, Sauaso Sue.
Lowdown: The race is on to replace Pat Richards on the Wests Tigers wing. Justin Hunt is the obvious choice, but coach Jason Taylor has also handed young guns plenty of opportunities in Auckland. Josh Addo-Carr has taken Concord by storm since arriving from the Sharks, hammering teammates in fitness and strength drills. Described as the fastest player in Holden Cup last year, he is tailor-made for the Nines. Former NYC captain Nathan Milone also starts at bottom dollar and will be pushing for more first grade action in 2016 following three games last year. Michael Chee-Kam can play centre and back row and also starts cheap following limited opportunities in four games for the Sea Eagles last year.
$50K richer: SuperCoach champ’s first expense is shouting Kyle Flanagan
SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle is a groomsman at the wedding of Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan and he knows exactly how he’ll have to spend the first part of his $50,000 winnings.
‘We’ve got to deliver’: No excuses as Sharks ready for finals charge
Craig Fitzgibbon knows few are giving his Sharks much hope in a week one NRL finals match-up with Melbourne, but the Cronulla coach is relishing the opportunity.