The Auckland Nines are back for 2015 and kick off on January 31. The nines are promising to be even better and more exciting than they were last year.
As all the squads for each particular group get named, I’ll preview each group right here on The Roar.
The teams in the Hunua Group for this year’s Auckland Nines are the Wests Tigers, Canberra Raiders, New Zealand Warriors and Gold Coast Titans.
The Hunua group features the hosts, the New Zealand Warriors, and three of the lower ranking sides from last year’s NRL competition, who will all be looking to find some confidence at the Nines and maybe reap in some financial benefits.
Wests Tigers
The Tigers have named an interesting squad full of youngsters and players that could well battle for first grade positions and game time throughout the 2015 NRL season. Pat Richards is without a doubt their most experienced player and could really bring them something else in terms of goal kicking.
Chris Lawrence, Tim Simona and Kevin Naiqama have also been named in the squad. Josh Drinkwater could be an interesting one to watch throughout the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines. He had a stint at the Dragons and was touted as a very good up-and-coming player but never broke through and has since spent some time in Super League.
Gold Coast Titans
The Titans look like a very scary Auckland Nines team. The speed that their squad displays is going to one of the best at the comp, and they have enough experience in the squad to get themselves to the pointy end of the tournament. With the likes of David Mead and James Roberts, who are undoubtedly two of the quicker players in the comp, mixed with the creativity of Aidan Sezer, and the defence and size of Ryan James, Luke Douglas and Dave Taylor, it would seem the Titans have named a very good and well balanced squad. They should be able to perform in the Nines.
Canberra Raiders
It is going to be very interesting to see how the Raiders perform at this year’s Auckland Nines. There is no doubt that during the 2015 NRL season proper they are going to be under intense pressure to perform, but will the Nines give them a chance to kick start their season?
The Raider’s Nines squad has a lot of younger players who could get an opportunity during the year, mixed with quite a few players that are really fighting to lock down a permanent starting spot in the Raiders side this year. This could either lead to some really good attacking rugby league being played or the Raiders side not going so well.
Unfortunately for Raiders fans, I can see the latter happening, and don’t think their defence will be up to scratch. Even if their attack shines, it probably won’t be consistent enough.
New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand are an incredibly aggressive team and led by their Auckland Nines captain Shaun Johnson, who is among the most exciting players in the world, they are going to be a major threat in this group. Johnson is backed up by the likes of Nathan Friend, the exciting Sam Tomkins, Manu Vatuvei and new recruit Ryan Hoffman. They are going to be an incredibly dominant force in this year’s Nines like they were last year.
My Prediction
The first team to go through out of this group will be the Warriors and they could very well go all the way in this year’s Nines. The other tip from this group to go through to the quarter finals is the Gold Coast Titans.
Squads
Wests Tigers: Sitaleki Akauola, Nathan Brown, Jack Buchanan, Manaia Cherrington, Josh Drinkwater, Asipeli Fine, Salesi Funaki, Delouise Hoeter, Chris Lawrence, Lamar Liolevave, Kyle Lovett, Joel Luani, Kevin Naiqama, Pat Richards, Brenden Santi, Ava Seumanufagai, Tim Simona, Sauaso Sue.
Canberra Raiders: Sam Williams, Mitch Cornish, Jarrod Croker(c), Lachlan Croker, Sisa Waqa, Joel Edwards, Josh McCrone, Rhys Kennedy, Glen Buttriss, Brenko Lee, Bill Tupou, Jack Ahearn, Luke Bateman, Haydon Hodge, Mark Nicholls, Kyle O’Donnell, Tevita PangaiJnr, Ken Nagas* (*Subject to NRL Approval).
New Zealand Warriors: Shaun Johnson (c), Matthew Allwood, Nathan Friend, Ben Henry, Ryan Hoffman, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Solomone Kata, Ngani Laumape, Sam Lisone, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sione Lousi, Simon Mannering, Suaia Matagi, Ben Matulino, Ken Maumalo, Dominique Peyroux, Nathaniel Roache, Bodene Thompson, Sam Tomkins, Chad Townsend, Manu Vatuvei, Jonathan Wright (four to be trimmed from final squad).
Gold Coast Titans: Will Zillman, James Roberts, Anthony Don, David Mead, Josh Hoffman, Brad Tighe, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Aidan Sezer, Daniel Mortimer, Christian Hazard, Kierran Moseley, Ryan James, Mark Ioane, Luke Douglas, Lachlan Burr, Davin Crampton, Dave Taylor, Matt Robinson.
Draw (all times New Zealand local time)
Game 5 – Wests Tigers versus Canberra Raiders @ 2:20pm on Saturday January 31
Game 6 – New Zealand Warriors versus Gold Coast Titans @ 2:45pm on Saturday January 31
Game 13 – Wests Tigers versus Gold Coast Titans @ 6:15pm on Saturday January 31
Game 14 – Canberra Raiders versus New Zealand Warriors @ 6:40pm on Saturday January 31
Game 21 – Wests Tigers versus New Zealand Warriors @ 12:50pm on Sunday February 1
Game 22 – Canberra Raiders versus Gold Coast Titans @ 1:15pm on Sunday February 1
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