I’m willing to stick my neck out and tip Parramatta to win the season’s first trophy at the NRL Nines in Auckland.
Even though he’s leaving Jarryd Hayne at home, new coach Brad Arthur has announced a big, strong and fast combination; he is sending his boys out to make an early statement.
While the majority of teams will be going to Auckland for some fun and bonding, it is clear to me that Parra is desperate to show they have a different mindset in 2014.
Of course, the inaugural Nines trophy won’t really ignite their chances in the big stuff but a winning mentality and a positive squad culture certainly will.
After the Eels collected back-to-back wooden spoons, Arthur has one heck of a job to do but I hear there is already a positive vibe from the Parramatta camp.
The players are enjoying their work under Arthur, who has been there before and collected some good raps.
The Nines could turn out to be the catalyst for a strong season from Chris Sandow. Early reports are he is extremely fit and desperate to atone for an incredibly disappointing and dramatic 2013.
He will thrive in the Nines – the fact Hayne won’t be there will give him some extra responsibility – and he has the talent around him to get the Eels at least to the finals.
Semi Radradra, with his speed, strength and nimble footwork, could be a sensation out wide. He has represented Fiji in the rugby union sevens and certainly knows how footy is played in the reduced number format.
Newcomers Corey Norman and Nathan Peats have the skills to keep the Eels powering forward, while Peni Terepo was great last year and could be a runaway rhino alongside another power runner in Fui Fui Moi Moi.
Yep, the wily old Wizard sees tremendous value in the Eels at around 14/1. Have a little something on them at the TAB (and you are welcome to send your thanks when I write my next column).
I can also see strong showings from the likes of the Dragons, Titans and Broncos.
Naturally, the Shaun Johnson-led Warriors will be highly competitive as the host team.
Plenty of critics have had a field day bagging veterans Brad Fittler and Steve Menzies for playing in this event but I’m tipping each will have his moments and their selections will be more than justified.
I’m not sure we will see a whole lot of structure in this type of football.
I played in the old pre-season sevens format and you’ve just to go out there and run as hard and as fast as you can and keep making second and third efforts when your body is screaming for a breather.
You have to play what is in front of you. Ad lib rugby league will be seen in Auckland like never before.
I am looking forward to this different opening to our season. The Nines are already a guaranteed success at the gate with both days virtually sold out.
To me, this is an exciting and fun entrée to the main event and I congratulate all clubs for their efforts to make the event spectacular.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
The Eels came closer than I thought.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
The Eels came closer than I thought.
Don
Roar Rookie
Happy to shout Muzz my boy. I had another bet on them yesterday morning after they were posted up @ $41. We were a very happy bunch last night and downed a very nice bottle of red to celebrate. Cheers.
Muzz
Guest
Your shout mate,well done...
Muzz
Guest
I think Freddie could play for the Eels this coming season : ) Great day for Eels fans.The team looked fitter and sharper than i have seen them in a long time and Sandow was very impressive. Let's see what tomorrow will bring.
You sir, are a genius. It's actually scary how accurate your predictions have been so far.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
So where does everyone sit now? Eels one of only three undefeated teams and looked very slick against the Bulldogs.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
You're a fan who abandoned them? Don't worry, you were never a fan.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
The thing with this competition is anyone can win it. It'll be in a way a little bit like a match of tennis. You have to score off your own set, if you don't, you're basically broken.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I have already put my Article where my mouth is predicting the Dragons to win, and as desperate as the Eels will be to do good, without Hayne, the Dragons are far more committed and will do better than the Eels.
Marldon
Guest
Not saying that Union isn't popular over there but what has that got to do with the price of fish ? Is there a law against watching both ? If the hullabaloo over in NZ over the Nines right now doesn't get even a single kiwi union obsessed punter to a Warriors game, then the whole advertising industry around the world has made a massive miss calculation.
BULLDOGS 4EVER
Guest
muzz the team the roosters taking over to NZ they will be lucky to will a game. if they do it will be bulldogs they will beat
BULLDOGS 4EVER
Guest
marldon answer to your both questions will the warriors memberships go up, maybe it will & will ave gates go up, NO WAY IN HELL.Union will always be no1 in NZ & rugby 7 is no 1
Muzz
Guest
The Eels have the Roosters,Dogs and Broncos, i can't see them getting out of their group stage.I'm putting the rent on the Roosters and the grocery money split between Sharks and Manly : ) The basics of 13s will still determine who will win - Good D, high completion rate etc etc.We should see some razzle dazzle footy when teams are playing catch up.I will be heading up to Easts Leagues Club tomorrow to watch it on the big screen and have a few cold ones, Should be a great day.....
Marldon
Guest
One thing you can guarantee (and it has pretty much achieved that already), the nines will have a far bigger impact on the RL landscape in its first year than the All Stars game that it has largely replaced ever had. Give credit where credit is due. The NRL is trying something different and that has got to be good.
Marldon
Guest
You have to define "will not work" If it is in terms of gates - eden park is a sell out so it has worked if in terms of media attention - got that in NZ, Fox got it over here, starting to gain traction in papers - not just yet but getting there - will work if in terms of participation - all teams present and involved though some lack of commitment - not yet but prize money will get it there - will probably work. if in terms of clubs not risking top players - may not work until prize money / prestige is significant - could work but needs effort You also have to remember, this is about NZ rugby league not so much about Australia and right now, this comp is kicking goals over there. It has a sell out Eden park, Auckland is buzzing and the media is in a frenzy. No one over there is talking union or cricket or tennis or tiddly winks right now they are talking RL and that sort of attention is priceless and it is working. A little wager for you not linked to the nines but certain to be influenced by it Do you think the Warriors memberships will go up in 2014 ? Do you think the Warriors average gates will go up in 2014 ? Did you answer yes to both questions ? - then from an NRL view, the nines just worked.
Malcolm Dreaneen
Roar Pro
I think the Warriors must be a good bet - they've been training hard for it, and will have hometown support
Marldon
Guest
Agree with both of you. It is a big unknown at the moment made harder by clubs fielding teams without the usual suspects but in some cases with a few surprise packages. I think this comp will be about speed and agility so that might suit the more agaile teams and this is where it will find out the Fitlers and Menzies of this world. I don't mind them playing and if they do well then great but age is very much against them in this comp. I am a big fancier of the Warriors at the moment, especially for this but I also expect them to do well in the regular season comp as well. They have been a sleeping giant for a while but I think they finally have some big game players that will just enable them to step up. Like EJ, I cannot wait for the action to start, pity I can't be there.
Marldon
Guest
You have to remember that this is about Rugby League in NZ not Australia and in NZ this is the biggest RL event ever staged. The fact that a few aussie nay sayers have done their usual trick with anything new or anything not invented here does nothing to reduce the massive success this comp is already. From here it will go from strength to strength. Its massive in NZ, its competing against RU and taking the limelight off them, that is good. That is very very good that can only benefit our game. This comp can only get better, even ESL clubs have been asking to take part. This comp could be bigger than Origin a decade from now. Don't laugh, stranger things have happened, Buzz Rothfield writing a sensible article or Cronulla winning a match for example.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
The Eels won it when it was the sevens. Why not? They have everything to play for, give hope to the fans that have abandoned them (including myself).