Gavin Cooper to lead strong Nines squad; Matt Bowen named at fullback
THIRTEEN of the 17 Cowboys who played in last year’s historic NRL grand final win will turn out at the Auckland Nines.
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THIRTEEN of the 17 Cowboys who played in last year’s historic NRL grand final win will turn out at the Auckland Nines after coach Paul Green named a strong squad for the season-opening tournament.
Backrower Gavin Cooper will captain the side while Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott are rested with Matt Bowen to wear the No. 1 jersey in his cameo appearance.
Premiership winners Michael Morgan, Jason Taumalolo and James Tamou have been included along with rising stars Coen Hess and Gideon Gela-Mosby.
The only players from the grand final win over the Broncos to not make the Nines squad are Scott and Thurston along with Ben Hannant and Scott Bolton, who will play in a trial against the Broncos on Saturday in Bundaberg.
The Cowboys won the inaugural Nines tournament in 2014, unearthing winger Kyle Feldt as they beat the Broncos in the decider.
They will field a very inexperienced side against the Broncos in Bundaberg with Bolton and Hannant the only regular NRL players.
Former Titans under-20s fullbacks Jahrome Hughes and Shaun Hudson will have their first games in Cowboys colours while a number of forwards will have the opportunity to push for NRL berths.
Auckland Nines team:
1. Matthew Bowen
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Justin O’Neill
4. Kane Linnett
5. Antonio Winterstein
6. Lachlan Coote
7. Ray Thompson
8. John Asiata
9. Jake Granville
10. James Tamou
11. Gavin Cooper ©
12. Ethan Lowe
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Michael Morgan
15. Rory Kostjasyn
16. Coen Hess
17. Matthew Wright
18. Gideon Gela-Mosby
Bundaberg trial team (v Broncos):
Jahrome Hughes, Linc Port, Mosese Pangai, Shaun Hudson, Jack Creith, Kyle Laybutt, Cooper Bambling, Ben Hannant, Josh Chudleigh, Scott Bolton, Rhyse Martin, Patrick Mago, Ben Spina, Sam Hoare, Braden Uele, Sheldon Powe-Hobbs, Brandon Smith, Patrick Kaufusi, Ty Carucci.
Originally published as Gavin Cooper to lead strong Nines squad; Matt Bowen named at fullback
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