They came into the tournament without three of the starting four of their spine, but the Roosters proved that you don’t need the best to take out the Auckland Nines.
As a staunch Rabbitohs supporter I brushed off the Roosters squad. No Mitch Pearce, no Luke Keary, no Jake Friend. They were going to do squat all, or so I thought.
The North Queensland Cowboys brought their big guns and couldn’t even get to the final. Ditto the Broncos, who probably should have defeated the champions in the quarter finals without a Jordan Kahu brain snap.
But credit has to go to the Eastern Suburbs club for fielding players that suited the format.
The likes of Connor Watson (who I have big wraps on) and fan favourite Latrell Mitchell absolutely cut the competition to ribbons.
Mobile forwards such as captain Mitchell Aubusson, Aiden Guerra and Paul Carter got the team around the park with ease, and the addition of youngsters like Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck and Paul Momirovski gave them a little bit of flair that piled on the points.
It’s a lesson that all NRL coaches should look to for next year’s competition, particularly those teams who have been favourites but fallen by the wayside in recent years.
I’m looking at you, New Zealand Warriors.
Congratulations to the Roosters and all those involved on the day. While Auckland Nines success runs a long second to an NRL premiership, some of the more successful Nines clubs have gone on to do well in the NRL in recent years.
The Cowboys and Broncos played in the 2014 final, along with the 2015 NRL grand final, while 2015 final showcased the 2014 and 2016 NRL premiers – the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks respectively.
2016 champs Parramatta had their title stripped due to the salary cap scandal.
Who knows what this success will do for the Roosters?
Now, let’s move onto the real competition.
Pickett
Guest
Good write up. Especially coming from our arch rival Souff s fan. I have noted that recent 9's winners and premiership winners were closely linked. About bringing that winning feeling into the club like Robbo said.
Rob
Guest
What it proved was speed and youth will beat old legs in a 18min sprint fest. I wonder how much the recovery time kills the 30 yd in comparison to a 20 yd. Playing back up games over two days is something the young can do much better IMO. Why would the media think Thurston, Cooper and Linnet are good nines players? They are pathetically slow. Ponga and Mosby were the best Cowboys player yet when the quarter finals came around the old stagers wanted the ball. Good on the young Roosters and Panthers. K. Ponga is worth every cent and if you're a Knights fan you should get excited.
Albo
Guest
I thought Paul Carter was the man of the Tournament. He played lots of minutes and played them all at 100 miles an hour. Hopefully he has his head together now and can be a real contributor to the Roosters this season.
Remo Shankar
Roar Pro
Great article and I think it perfectly underlines the opportunity that many coaches are neglecting. The format of the competition is tailor-made for promoting 'confidence' in younger players who may just be lacking a little self-belief. The Nines is still keenly contested but without the heavy spotlight and scrutiny of the the NRL proper. I would have thought many coaches would use it as an important 'stepping stone' for their young and emerging talent.
Joe
Roar Rookie
The format of Nines makes it impossible to pick a winner. Sure you don't do your chances any harm by loading your teams...I mean seriously who didn't think the Cowboys wouldn't win it after day one .. they were that good and had strike all over the park. The Nines game format means any team on any day can put it together for a couple of sets and run away with the game. There is also a big element of luck. Roosters were lucky to get past Brisbane because Kahu was too busy with his hairdo to realise the shot clock for conversion (which he nailed) was running out. They also literally got the bounce of the ball in that game with the last kicks going way off then suddenly going right from the bounce of the ball. I'm still watching replays to see how it was possible for the Storm to knock of the red hot Cowboys. Just a lot of teamwork and 50/50 passes sticking when they chanced their arm and defense. I think the young Panthers team were the real surprise as they just kept playing with a lot of enthusiasm from the young boys and made it all the way to the Final. They were lucky to come up against a Normanless eels outfit though who I think would have made a massive difference. That's what I love about the Nines. ...no form or guide to follow...just get on the field and whoever has the best game and gets lucky wins.
kk
Roar Pro
Enjoyable read, AM. There is a certain glorious feeling that warms the senses when you see class in any of its many forms unfolding before your eyes. That pleasure abounds when I witness Connor Watson and Latrell Mitchell at work. Add TKO when he returns and the joy is trebled. Trent Robinson is a lucky man.