Young guns to watch at the Auckland Nines 2017
THE Nines gives fans a tantalising look at rugby league’s up-and-coming talent. Here are some of the young guns you should keep an eye out for this weekend.
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THE Auckland Nines gives fans a tantalising look at rugby league’s up-and-coming talent.
Here are some of the young guns you should keep an eye out for this weekend:
Tyrell Fuimaono
In addition to having a name that will baffle commentators for years to come, Fuimaono has all the physical talent you’d need to excel at the Nines. Big enough to play in the forwards but quick enough to fill in out wide, Fuimaono was named in the Under 20s Team of the Year last season when he was with Parramatta and is a player the Rabbitohs have high hopes for.
Matt Dufty
Dufty played in the Nines last season and scored a long-range try against the Raiders but with another season under his belt he could really dominate this time around. The Dragons fullback has some serious pace and a happy knack for popping up where the ball is due to his excellent support play. Keep an eye out for Dufty, especially in broken field situations.
Jai Field
The injury to Drew Hutchison has put Field in the frame to start the season at halfback and the youngster certainly has the speed to make an impact. The runner up in the Dally M Under 20s player of the year voting last season, Field comes from a touch football background and will thrive in the wide open spaces of Eden Park. A couple of good performances could convince Paul McGregor to take a punt on the 19-year old.
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Gehamat Shibasaki
You aren’t going to believe this but Gehamat Shibasaki is the first man named Gehamat to play the Nines. The dynamic fullback or centre has impressed people in high places with his performance throughout the pre-season and has represented Queensland at both under-18s and under-20s level. Brisbane have named a star-studded squad but if Shibasaki gets the opportunity he could steal the show.
Nick Cotric
He’s been called the next superstar you’ve never heard of. But if you’re a SuperCoach fan not only have you heard about him ... you’ll know he is considered the next prodigious talent to come out of Canberra. The enormous centre who tips the scale at almost 100kg was named in the Holden Cup Team of the Year of 2016, was the NYC’s top tackle buster in 2016 and was named in the Junior Kangaroos and NSW Under 18s side.
Paul Roache
Ricky Stuart’s enthusiasm for the Nines isn’t all it could be but Raiders fans should be looking forward to the rugby league debut of Paul Roache. A former Junior All Black and the younger brother of Warriors hooker Nathaniel Roache, the Mount Albert Grammar has sharp footwork and a good turn of speed. A five-eighth in the 15-man game, Roache is still only 18 and will likely spend this season in the Under 20s.
Corey Harawira-Naera
Penrith’s Nines squad isn’t much to write home about but it serves as another chance for the exquisitely talented Harawira-Naera to show his wares. A standout at Under 20s level for Penrith for several years, Harawira-Naerea made the step up to NSW Cup level and did a fine job. Best suited to the backrow but capable of filling in at five-eighth and in the centres, Harawira-Naera could be in line for his NRL debut later this season.
Ruben Wiki
What’s that? How can a 44-year old be a youngster? Because he is Ruben Wiki and he cares not for age or numbers. There are no more retired players making comebacks in this year’s tournament because Ruben Wiki is all the man it could handle. Ruben Wiki once fought his own shadow and won. Ruben Wiki is so fast he could catch a cold in the desert. Ruben Wiki is the man of the hour, too sweet to be sour, 104 kgs of muscle, steel and sex appeal. Ruben Wiki is coming to destroy the Nines and slam down impossible amounts of kava afterwards and there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it.
Originally published as Young guns to watch at the Auckland Nines 2017
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