OTLS Auckland Nines Preview – Pool Waiheke

The Auckland Nines is back once again for it’s fourth instalment. An exciting weekend of rugby league that is jammed full of highlights that even the most casual viewer would enjoy. OTLS is previewing each and every team and their chances of taking the trophy home.

Cronulla Sharks

Squad: Wade Graham (c), Luke Lewis, Matt Prior, Chris Heighington, Gerard Beale, Kurt Capewell, Joseph Paulo, Jack Bird, Ricky Leutele, Manaia Cherrington, Jesse Ramien, Will Kennedy, Jayden Walker, Kyle Flanagan, Sione Katoa, Billy Magoulias, Malakai Houma, Kurt Kara.

Pool Prediction: 3rd

The Sharks have a trial game scheduled against the Brisbane Broncos on this same weekend so they have essentially split their roster in half. Without starting play makers Jimmy Maloney or Chad Townsend they may struggle to find the structure that helped them to premiership glory in 2016. That being said Penrith have fronted up an even lighter strength squad so they should avoid the bottom of the pool.

Key Player: Jack Bird

Along with Captain Wade Graham, Bird will be the key ball playing option in attack. Bird will thrive in this environment and certainly will want to put his name forward to challenge Valentine Holmes for the vacated 2017 starting fullback squad.

Breakout Player: Mania Cherrington

With no announcement as yet on James Segeyaro the Sharks 2017 hooker spot is still up in the air. Luckily for Cherrington neither Daniel Mortimer or teenage sensation Jayden Brailey are playing in the tournament so he will be looking to prove himself and give Coach Shane Flanagan plenty to think about.

Tournament Prediction: Group Stage

For the reason stated above I just don’t think that the Sharks have the play making depth to challenge a number of the stronger teams in the tournament. Their key game will come against the Bulldogs. If they can beat the Dogs then they may be able to push to the quarter finals.

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Gold Coast Titans

Squad: Morgan Boyle, Alexander Brimson, Tyler Cornish, Anthony Don, Kane Elgey, Jarryd Hayne, Ryan James, Max King, Chris McQueen, John Olive, Nathaniel Peteru, Pat Politoni, Leivaha Pulu, Tyrone Roberts, Tyronne Roberts-Davis, Hayden Schwass, Paterika Vaivai, Daniel Vidot, William Zillman.

Pool Prediction: 1st

After an unlikely but stellar 2016 campaign the Titans have built a roster that could challenge the big boys this year. The first grade squad has plenty of competition not only in the halves but also the outside backs and second row. Because of this I think we will see the Titans present a competitive outfit with a number of players looking to cement their spot. If key play makers Tyrone Roberts, Kane Elgey and Jarryd Hayne can work together then they should come out on top of Pool Waiheke.

Key Player: Jarryd Hayne

We know what he is capable of and after a disappointing end to the 2016 season by his standards, Hayne will be looking to make his dreams become a reality.

Breakout Player: John Olive

The former Rabbitoh and Junior Kangaroo has failed to cement a spot in the 17 since moving north of the border. Still only 20 years of age, this format should suit him and he will be looking to prove himself the ideal candidate to fill the void at the titans left by the departures of David Mead and Nene Macdonald.

Tournament Prediction: Quarter Finals

The Titans arguably have one of the better teams in this pool. However I can’t see them progressing past the likes of either the Eels or the Warriors who they would meet in the quarter finals. That being said they were written off for the majority of the 2016 premiership season so if any of the teams were to cause an upset it’s the Titans.

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Penrith Panthers

Squad: Dylan Edwards, Corey Waddell, Waqa Blake, Jed Cartwright, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Nathan Cleary, Kaide Ellis, Sione Katoa, Darren Nicholls, Tyrone May, Moses Leota, Sitaleki Akauola, James Tamou, Christian Crichton, Corey Harawira-Naera, Isaah Yeo (c), Zach Dockar-Clay, Oliver Clark.

Pool Prediction: 4th 

With such an exciting roster of young talent it is disappointing that the Panther’s have fielded a Nines team with only a handful of 1st grade stars. I try not to be surprised at any decisions that Coach Anthony ‘Hook’ Griffin makes anymore, but the majority of the guys named in squad are way too far down the pecking order to be taken seriously. Notably it will be the first time we will see former Cowboy James Tamou in his new colours.

Key Player: Nathan Cleary

I can see cleary now why young Nathan has been the talk of the rookies for a number of years now. His breakout 2016 season was something to behold pushing Jamie Soward into early NRL retirement. Hopefully he can find some support players to show off his plethora of skills.

Breakout Player: Dylan Edwards

In his one game last year for the Panthers, Edwards managed to show up former ‘Man of Steel’ Zak Hardaker and with plenty of competition this year in the Penrith back line he will again be looking to state his case for promotion should injury strike or around Origin time when Moylan likely departs.  

Tournament Prediction: Group Stage

I just can’t see a team made up largely of the relatives of first graders to be competitive in the Nines this year and I don’t think that the Panthers themselves expect to either.

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Canterbury Bulldogs

Squad: Brad Abbey, Tom Carr, Matt Frawley, Danny Fualalo, Craig Garvey, Kerrod Holland, Sam Kasiano, David Klemmer, Lachlan Lewis, Michael Lichaa, Rhyse Martin, D’Rhys Miller, Marcelo Montoya, Tyrone Phillips, Josh Reynolds (Captain), Reimis Smith, Renouf To’omaga, Francis Tualau

Pool Prediction: 2nd 

There is a lot to like about the team the boys from Belmore have taken over the ditch. It has plenty of balance and enough star power to progress them past the group stages. As we know, the Bulldogs biggest downfall in 2016 was their attack. Given the style of play expected at the Nines it will come down to how much Des Hasler’s boys have improved this part of their game in the pre-season.

Key Player: Michael Lichaa

One of the scapegoats for the Bulldogs stagnant attack in 2016, Lichaa will need to step up this tournament, especially in light of Moses Mbye’s absence. With reports that youngster Zac Woolford has been killing it at pre-season training Lichaa will be looking to cast no doubt over his Hooking position in the Bulldogs first grade team.

Breakout Player: Tyrone Phillips, Reimis Smith and Kerrod Holland

They all got a taste of first grade last season and with the departure of Curtis Rona and Sam Perret in the Bulldogs back line, all three will be gunning to make a more permanent transition to the big league this year. When you also throw in exciting uncapped youngster Brad Abbey you can see why Des will have plenty of selection headaches come round 1. All four of these players feature in the Nines and will be looking to set themselves apart so it should make for some compelling viewing.

Tournament Prediction: Quarter Finals

Alike the Titans I can’t see the Bulldogs progressing past the likes of either the Warriors or Eels who they would meet in the quarter finals. The Bulldogs probably have the most to prove though, and led by self confessed super grub Josh Reynolds expect them to not go down without a fight.

 

 

Written by Kyle Robson – Find me on instagram – underdog_fantasy

 

Image Sources:

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