Bankwest Stadium goalposts will light up for every try in the World Nines
A host of rugby league stars won’t be the only thing lighting up Bankwest Stadium for the World Nines this weekend, with the tournament to see a first for rugby league.
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The busiest person at the World Cup Nines won’t be a player or even a coach, but the goalposts light operator.
In an Australian rugby league first, the posts at Bankwest Stadium will light up in different colours every single time a try is scored.
According to Wade Graham his Australian teammates, Kalyn Ponga and Josh Addo Carr are poised to put on a light show over the two-day tournament, starting tonight, thanks to their try-scoring prowess.
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“I can’t go past two of them ... I’m really looking forward to seeing Fox [Addo Carr], we see how quick and explosive he is in the NRL,” Graham said.
“Of course, there’s Kalyn Ponga. I haven’t had the opportunity to play with him at any level so I can’t wait to get out onto the field with him.”
While regular NRL preparations are spent picking apart that week’s opposition, Graham, is relishing the chance of taking on a rival where very little is known about players on the other side of the field.
“That’s the beauty of this competition I think, teams like Australia, New Zealand and Tonga, they have a heavy NRL influence and us as players and fans know a lot about those guys,” Graham said.
“But teams like USA, Lebanon and Wales, there is going to be gems no one has seen before and we’re going to uncover a fair bit of natural talent.
“Those players we don’t know much about will certainly step-up and show us what they have on the international stage.”
Graham said the Nines format will add a ‘real freshness to attacking rugby league’.
“There is a lot more space on the field which allows for a lot more creativity in attack. The added on features like the bonus zone and the posts lighting up and the different rule interpretations... I think the fans will love it,” he said.
World Cup Nines rules
- Nine players per side, nine minutes per half
- Unlimited interchange
- Five tackles per set, rather than six
- Sin bins: three minutes rather than 10
- Conversions are drop kicks, with a 25-second shot clock
- 20/40 kicks introduced, as well as 40/20s
- Five points, rather than four, awarded for a try scored in the Bonus Zone between the goalposts
- Drawn matches decided by a golden try
Light up goalposts
· Green for a try and successful conversion
· Red for unsuccessful conversion
· Purple for 5 point try
SQUADS
AUSTRALIA
Josh Addo-Carr, Jai Arrow, AJ Brimson, Nathan Brown, Kyle Feldt, David Fifita, Tyson Frizell, Reuben Garrick, Wade Graham, Clint Gutherson, Ben Hunt, Mitchell Moses, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Kalyn Ponga, Curtis Scott, Cody Walker.
Player to watch: The open spaces of Nines football are tailor made for the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cody Walker, but anyone who remembers how well Kalyn Ponga did in the last years of the Auckland Nines will be salivating.
NEW ZEALAND
Leeson Ah Mau, Adam Blair, Dylan Brown, James Fisher-Harris, Corey Harawira-Naera, Jamayne Isaako, Shaun Johnson, Jeremy Marshall-King, Ken Maumalo, Briton Nikora, Kodi Nikorima, Kevin Proctor, Jordan Rapana, Bailey Simonsson, Reimis Smith, Joseph Tapine.
Player to watch: This seems to be the way in every match he plays, for club or country, but all eyes will be on Shaun Johnson again. The Cronulla five-eighth doesn’t run like he used to, but he can still cut defenders in two when the mood strikes him.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Stargroth Amean, Watson Boas, Edwin Epape, Edene Gebbie, Kyle Laybutt, Bernard Lewis, Garry Lo, Rhyse Martin, Justin Olam, Nixon Putt, Daniel Russell, Jedudiah Simbiken, Stanford Talita, Terry Wapi, Moses Meninga, Wartovo Puara
Player to watch: Edene Gabbie enjoyed a breakout season with Wynumm-Manly in the Queensland Cup, scoring 19 tries in 22 games and earning a start in the competition’s team of the year. Powerful and fast, Gebbie has signed for South Sydney next year and could be one of the competition’s new stars.
USA
Brandon Anderson, Ryan Burroughs, Brock Davies, Connor Donehue, Joe Eichner, Bureta Faraiamo, Jay Florimo, Kristian Freed, Khalial Harris, Daniel Howard, Charlie Jones, Corey Makelim, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Mark Offerdahl, Eddy Pettybourne, Jamil Robinson, Marcus Satavu, Junior Vaivai, Jerome Veve, David Washington
Player to watch: In a squad with precious little NRL or Super League experience, Cronulla’s Ronaldo Mulitalo and Hull FC’s Bureta Faraimo will be key players for the Hawks.
POOL B
ENGLAND
James Graham, Tom Burgess, Daryl Clark, Jake Connor, Ryan Hall, Ash Handley, Blake Austin, Reece Lyne, Jermaine McGillvary, Ryan Sutton, Sam Tomkins, Jake Trueman, Liam Watts, Elliott Whitehead, Gareth Widdop, George Williams
Player to watch: Raiders fans will have a keen eye on George Williams, who joins the beaten grand finallists next year, but don’t go past Hull FC utility Jake Connor - a five-eighth, centre or fullback, Connor has thrived in recent years and has become a Test regular under Wayne Bennett.
LEBANON
Kayne Kalahce, James Roumanos, Elie El-Zakhem, Reece Robinson, Travis Robinson, Jaco Kiraz, Jalal Bazzaz, Anthony Layoun, Bilal Maarbani, Jayden El-Jalkh, Adam Rizk, Josh Rizk, John Paul Nohra, Johnny-Lee Gabriel, Charbel Tasipale, Ahmad Harajly, Ziad Agha, Jordan Samrani
Player to watch: The ongoing feud between the players and the Lebanon Rugby League has robbed the Cedars of just about all their big names. The Robinson brothers are the only players in the squad with NRL experience.
WALES
Gavin Bennion, Mike Butt, Connor Davies, Curtis Davies, Ben Evans, Rhys Evans, Will Evans, Dan Fleming, Regan Grace, Dalton Grant, Cobi Green, Elliot Kear, Rhodri Lloyd, James Olds, Lloyd White, Rhys Williams
Player to watch: St Helens flyer Regan Grace has become one of the most exciting players in Super League this season and the Port Talbot man is sure to thrive in the wide-open spaces of Nines football.
FRANCE
Lilian Albert, Lucas Albert, Jason Baitieri, Lambert Belmas, Charlie Bouzinac, Bastien Canet, Alrix Da Costa, Jordan Dezaria, Louis Jouffret, Mathieu Jussaume, Thomas Lasvenes, Paul Marcon, Gavin Marguerite, Hakim Miloudi, Arthur Romano, Justin Sangare
Player to watch: France are light on stars - there’s no Tony Gigot, no Theo Fages, no Mark Kheirallah and no Morgan Escare, but promising half Lucas Albert is one to keep an eye on.
POOL C
TONGA
John Asiata, William Fakatoumafi, Andrew Fifita, Tevita Funa, Delouise Hoeter, Peter Hola, Jamil Hopoate, Robert Jennings, Sione Katoa, Sione Utia-Katoa, Tuipulotu Katoa, Fanitesi Niu, Joe Ofahengaue, Tevita Pangai Junior, Jason Taumalolo, Malaki Watene-Zelezniak
Player to watch: There’s two Sione Katoa’s in this team and the faster one is the man to watch. A winger with Cronulla, Katoa has the speed and footwork to make the Nines his own.
SAMOA
Bunty Afoa, Dean Blore, Michael Chee Kam, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Tim Lafai
Joey Leilua , Luciano Leilua, Moses Leota, Danny Levi, Jarome Luai, Lalotoa Mata’afa
David Nofoaluma, Ligi Sao, Marion Seve, Jorge Taufua , Brian To’o
Player to watch: Penrith rookie sensation Brian To’o was near impossible to tackle in the 13 man game let alone nine. After a breakout season in the NRL he’s the one to watch in the Samoan outfit.
FIJI
Kevin Naiqama, Suliasi Vunivalu, Waqa Blake, Brayden Villiame, Maika Sivo
Mika Ravalawa, Penioni Tagituimua, Luuke Nadrotalo, Apisai Koroisau, Silistino Ravutaumada, Viliame Kikau, Taane Milne, Isaac Lumelume, Penaia Leveleve, Maika Tudravu, Joseva Lawalawa
Player to watch: Take your pick... Fiji are made for the shorter version of the game, with Maika Sivo set to cause absolute carnage after topping the try-scoring charts in his debut NRL season.
COOK ISLANDS
Tevin Arona, Anthony Gelling, Alex Glenn, Kayal Iro, Steven Marsters, Sam Mataora, Tepai Moeroa, Moses Noovao-Mcgreal, Junior Pua, John Puna, Reuben Rennie, Vincent Rennie, Brad Takairangi, Brodie Tamarua, Aaron Teroi, Paul Ulberg
Player to watch: Former Warrior and current Widnes centre Anthony Gelling may not be the highest profile player in the tournament, but he could be the most loved. He’s a fan favourite in the UK and is sure to draw huge support when he pulls on the Cook Islands jumper in the Nines.
WOMENS SQUADS
AUSTRALIAN
Corban McGregor, Botille Vette-Welsh, Julia Robinson, Shakiah Tungai, Jess Sergis, Tiana Penitani, Tamika Upton, Ali Brigginshaw, Kirra Dibb, Keeley Davis, Brittany Breayley, Isabelle Kelly, Millie Boyle, Hannah Southwell, Tallisha Harden, Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent
Player to watch: All eyes will be on Dragons star Jess Sergis after picking up the Dally M Women’s Player of the Year award. The try-scoring gun will play a major role’s in Australia’s title bid.
NEW ZEALAND
Madison Bartlett, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Georgia Hale, Lavinia Gould, Honey Hireme, Onjeurlina Leiataua, Nita Maynard, Raecene McGregor, Jules Newman, Apii Nicholls, Charntay Poko, Krystal Rota, Aieshaleigh Smalley, Kiana Takairangi, Crystal Tamarua, Atawhai Tupaea
Player to watch: Kiwi star Honey Hireme returns after missing the entire NRLW campaign on compassionate grounds while looking after her ill mother. The inclusion of the Warriors gun comes as a major boost for New Zealand.
ENGLAND
Dannielle Anderson, Caitlin Beevers, Charlotte Booth, Leah Burke, Chantelle Crowl, Jodie Cunningham, Grace Field, Faye Gaskin, Kelsey Gentles, Rebecca Greenfield, Amy Hardcastle, Shona Hoyle, Amy Johnson, Tara Jones, Shannon Lacey, Sinead Peach, Tamzin Renouf, Georgia Roche, Emily Rudge, Tara-Jane Stanley, Rachel Thompson, Vicky Whitfield, Naomi Williams, Georgia Wilson
Player to watch: Grand final try-scorer Caitlin Beevers played an integral role in helping Leeds defend their title this year and will again be key for England in the Nines.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Elsie Albert , Catherine Anjo, Heather Ario, Lekiellia Brown, Carol Francis, Shirley Joe, Janet Johns, Roswita Kapo, Gloria Kaupa, Sera Koroi, Mellisa Peters, Ua Ravu, Jacobeth Wake
Joyce Waula, Angelo Watego, Josephine Wong
Player to watch: Skipper Janet Johns, of the mighty Hanuabada Hawks, is one to keep an eye on.