With all clubs having named who will make the trip to Auckland, let’s assess the second half of the pools and who you should look out for.
(Be sure to check out Part 1 as well.)
Waiheke Pool
Storm, Eels, Roosters and Rabbitohs
Melbourne Storm
The Storm have again refused to send any of their ‘big three’, using this weekend to blood youngsters.
Despite winning just one from three in each campaign so far, we usually get a preview of a potential star in the Storm squad, such as Cameron Munsterm, who will be pulling on a purplish jersey this weekend.
Other big names in the squad are flying Fijian Marika Koroibete, New Zealand Test backrower Tohu Harris… And that’s about it.
Many of Melbourne’s players will no doubt go on to be stars, given the Storm system of turning water into wine, but as far as the prospects this weekend, they’re about as bright as an arts degree.
Watch out for: Curtis Scott
The Storm have acquired the services of the 18-year-old former Sharks SG Ball captain and given him the No.1 shirt for the Nines. He was hot property last year and was pursued by most clubs, and a preseason under the wing of Billy Slater has probably done him a lot of good. This weekend Melbourne fans can see what all the offseason fuss was about.
Parramatta Eels
A strong squad named by the Eels will no doubt see them make it to the finals – possibly the final. While their two major signings may not feature, the Eels certainly have some speed out wide in Semi Radradra and John Folau.
Corey Norman will captain the side from fullback, Luke Kelly and Mitch Cornish are in the halves, Manu Ma’u and Tepai Moera are damaging hole-runners, and Junior Paulo adds a bit of size.
The Eels have a good record at the Nines, and with this team will probably top the pool.
Watch out for: Bevan French
With the blood of Preston Campbell and Nathan Blacklock running through his veins, this impressive Tingha youngster could be yet another great talent unearthed by Parramatta.
Like his cousins, he has pace, agility and punches well above his weight. He also shares the first name of an Australian cricketing legend; what’s not to love?
Sydney Roosters
Braith Anasta makes his return to rugby league after being retired for a whopping one year. The Chook forwards hardly resemble their fearsome first-grade pack, with just Isaac Liu of note. Ian Henderson marks his return to the NRL, but will need to adjust to the shortened form.
In the backs, Daniel Tupou and Shaun Kenny-Dowall are the only experienced Roosters. SKD’s unorthodox style really suits the game, but he doesn’t have the players around him to be a real threat at this tournament.
The Chooks performed well at last year’s nines, finishing second in their pool and beating the Tigers in the quarters, only to lose by six in the semi to the Sharks.
Watch out for: Joe Burgess
At 21, the former Wigan flyer has already represented England in three Tests and notched up 49 tries in 55 games for his former club.
Now Easts fans will get a good look at him before the NRL season proper, and while he may not be a direct replacement for the departed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, he is blessed with toe and is hard to stop one-on-one. With his great body positioning, expect Burgess to score some spectacular tries in the corner this year.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The reigning champions prepare to defend this title among a disrupted off-season.
Michael Maguire has kept his major stars at home, and in their place are Alex Johnston, Bryson Goodwin, John Sutton, Tom Burgess, and Kirisome Auva’a.
Damien Cook, who had a breakout year in 2015, will play his first game in Souths colours, while Michael Oldfield returns to the NRL after a successful stint for the Catalans Dragons.
They are capable of making the finals, but with their lack of bite up front will probably go no further than the quarters.
Watch out for: Cody Walker
Expected to make his debut in the first round, in place of the suspended Luke Keary, Walker had an excellent 2013 season for the Easts Tigers in the Queensland Cup. A strong nines showing will put him on track for an NRL debut, as well as heap pressure on Souths’ halves, who had an average 2015.
Prediction
First: Eels
Second: Rabbitohs
Third: Roosters
Fourth: Storm
No doubt the easiest pool; Parramatta should account for all their opposition, leaving Souths to mop up their other two games.
Rangitoto Pool
Knights, Cowboys, Panthers, Wests Tigers
Newcastle Knights
Not a bad squad listed for the Knights in what will be a tough pool to escape.
Jake Mamo, Akuila Uate and the three Mata’utias all possess the speed to cause havoc in the Nines.
They lack experience in the halves however, with Brock Lamb and Will Pearsell named.
Robbie Rochow and Tyler Randell will captain the Novocastrians, and they are joined up front by Korbin Sims and Eels discard Pauli Pauli – the man so nice they named him twice.
It’s hard to see the Knights finding a win against either the Panthers or Cowboys but anything’s possible.
Their lack of punch down the middle will probably make them easy for defensive lines to hold.
Watch out for: Brock Lamb
The former Australian schoolboy has had his first pre-season at the Knights, and been given the No.7 jersey this weekend. He will challenge for a first-grade halves spot and Eden Park is a good platform for him to show what he’s got.
Like many from the Hunter region, the Maitland junior has been compared to Andrew Johns. His touches will be vital for an unlikely Knights finals berth.
Penrith Panthers
A few notable omissions, but there are some seriously talented players in this squad.
Penrith’s backline oozes class, with Josh Mansour, Waqa Blake, Robert Jennings and exciting young prospect Te Maire Martin featuring.
The Fresh Prince Will Smith lines up at halfback, and while not quite an NRL standard half, his quickness and off-the-cuff play is suited to the nine-a-side game.
Speaking of off-the-cuff, Bryce Cartwright and Isaah Yeo boast incredible offloading skills.
James Segeyaro is lethal from dummy-half, while Suaia Matagi and Jeremy Latimore provide size. This is one of the best rounded teams for the tournament.
Watch out for: Benjamin Garcia
The versatile French forward is a great pick up for the Panthers and will thrive in the nines.
He is agile for a forward, moving more like a centre than a front-rower. He will combine well with Cartwright and Yeo, and provide depth.
North Queensland Cowboys
After winning their maiden premiership in 2015, you could forgive the Cowboys for taking the Nines easy, however it appears they have taken a leaf out of South Sydney’s book, aiming to win every trophy they can before their luck dries up.
With the only notable exclusion of Johnathan Thurston (again), the Cowboys have named a formidable squad.
Along with the services of Matt Bowen, making a farewell cameo, the Cowboys have named 13 out of their premiership winning 17, including Lachlan Coote, Michael Morgan, Jake Granville, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper and Jason Taumalolo.
They deserve equal favouritism with the Warriors, and riding a hot streak will probably win the whole thing.
Their pool match against the Panthers will be one to watch.
Watch out for: Matty Bowen
After an unforgettable 2015, it’s hard to see what the Cowboys could add to that. How about a stunning comeback from one of the finest to ever lace the boot for North Queensland?
Bowen is using the nines as his farewell to rugby league, and what better way to say goodbye to a fantastic servant to the game than with a championship.
He was absent for the Cowboys’ maiden premiership, and couldn’t find a ring with Wigan in the 2015 Super League decider, so maybe an Auckland Nines trophy will be an apt consolation.
Bowen may have lost some speed but he will still be a threat this weekend.
Wests Tigers
The embattled club has named six debutants for the tournament, with a host of their stars in the ice room.
Chris Lawrence will captain the side for the second year in a row, and is joined by Tim Simona, Kevin Naiqama, Kyle Lovett and Sauaso Sue, along with recruits Michael Chee-Kam, Justin Hunt, Jack Littlejohn and Josh Ado-Carr.
It’s hard to see them winning any match this weekend, especially as coach Jason Taylor has signaled his intentions to use this tournament to blood youngsters.
The nines may be of some use to Tigers fans as well, cushioning them for what will likely be a long year.
Watch out for: Josh Ado-Carr
The former Shark was a standout in the NYC over the last two years, bagging 28 tries in 44 games. He can play fullback, centre or wing and shows remarkable pace and agility.
Prediction
First: Panthers
Second: Cowboys
Third: Knights
Fourth: Tigers
A tough pool with three teams who could challenge for the trophy, unfortunately only two get past the group stage and they will be an undefeated Panthers, followed by the Cowboys (who bounced back from two pool losses in 2014 to win the inaugural nines), with the Knights and Tigers to miss out.
Finals predictions
Combined with the first article’s predictions, the quarter-finals should read:
Qf 1: Eels versus Cowboys
The Cowboys will continue Bowen’s dream retirement tour.
Qf 2: Panthers versus Rabbitohs
The Panthers will destroy the toothless Bunnies.
Qf 3: Warriors versus Dragons
The Warriors to score an unconvincing win over a never say die Dragons outfit
Qf 4: Sharks versus Sea Eagles
The Sharks to pluck an inexperienced Sea Eagles side.
For the semis:
Sf 1: Panthers versus Cowboys
The Cowboys to win the Rangitoto rematch, which will see them into their second final.
Sf 2: Warriors versus Sharks
The Sharks will also reach their second Auckland decider, after a thrilling one-point victory against the hometown boys.
Final: Cowboys versus Sharks
In a game more reminiscent of their NRL semi-final rather than last year’s Auckland decider, the Cowboys will save their best footy for last and put the Sharks to the sword, claiming their second Nines title, to sit next to their premiership.
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