Auckland 9s Grand Final

[Aldo]

Good effort from the boys. I thought Thaiday was outstanding throughout this tournamnent. Wound back the clock a few years and constantly made GOOD metres. Macca was top notch also. I thought our defence, especially our scrambling defence, was very good.

I think our biggest contributer though was from Alex Corvo. If this comp was played last year, we would of lasted 5 minutes each half and then got torn a new arsehole. I thought the boys stuck at it all game for most matches instead of the usual hands on hips sucking in lungfuls of air. Just need to build on this now and keep improving for the season proper.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think it is silly to be writing off Hunt at this stage. He hasn't even played a real game of footy for us this year. There isn't a lot of organization or structure in 9's footy anyway. I think some people have made their mind up about Hunt already and this will be going on all year. Each to their own I guess.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Congrats to the Cows. Finally, they have something to put in the cabinet beside those spoons ...

 

[1910]

10 of the Cows' side played ISC last season. Good win for development.

 

[BroncosFan_Corey]

I blame Ricky Stuart, we needed Milford haha

 

[Cult]

I blame Ricky Stuart, we needed Milford haha

Off topic but with you, corey88 and me I think that means there's at least 3 Coreys on here.

 

[coreyh88]

So cammac who was the hooker of the tournament? Parker definitely should be in the best team. Thaiday and nikorima wouldn't be far off.

best team

1. Tomkins/sharks number 1 (cant think of his name)

2. Kyle feldt

3. Leilua

5. Mansour

6. Lui

7. Shaun johnson

8. Tamou

9. Macca

10. Parker



11. Taumololo

12. Thaiday

13. Moi moi

14. Hurrell

15. Fishiahii

16. Winterstein

16

6.

 

[coreyh88]

Off topic but with you, corey88 and me I think that means there's at least 3 Coreys on here.

fit in well with parker, oates and norman

 

[coreyh88]

Did anyone notice how well drew played in the second row. Both parker and thaiday really stepped up during this tournament. We seemed short on backs in the final and it killed our attack not that we could get field position. I'm not sure how Hodges will change the dynamic but i suspect we will flounder and be rudderless when the going gets tough. Hunt and nikorima are great prospective playmakers but i don't think they can steer us around. Neither have that experience. I'm hoping Hodges can really be the general for our backs but i think we have the forwards sorted perfectly.

 

[Super Freak]

Did anyone notice how well drew played in the second row. Both parker and thaiday really stepped up during this tournament. We seemed short on backs in the final and it killed our attack not that we could get field position. I'm not sure how Hodges will change the dynamic but i suspect we will flounder and be rudderless when the going gets tough. Hunt and nikorima are great prospective playmakers but i don't think they can steer us around. Neither have that experience. I'm hoping Hodges can really be the general for our backs but i think we have the forwards sorted perfectly.

I thought his (Drew) defense was a little better also. His defense was terrible on his debut.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Drew impressed me.

 

[Nashy]

I think it is silly to be writing off Hunt at this stage. He hasn't even played a real game of footy for us this year. There isn't a lot of organization or structure in 9's footy anyway. I think some people have made their mind up about Hunt already and this will be going on all year. Each to their own I guess.

I think people are using this game far too much to judge the team at all. Hunt will be fine.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

So cammac who was the hooker of the tournament? Parker definitely should be in the best team. Thaiday and nikorima wouldn't be far off.

best team

1. Tomkins/sharks number 1 (cant think of his name)

2. Kyle feldt

3. Leilua

5. Mansour

6. Lui

7. Shaun johnson

8. Tamou

9. Macca

10. Parker



11. Taumololo

12. Thaiday

13. Moi moi

14. Hurrell

15. Fishiahii

16. Winterstein

16

6.

Matagi (sp) was head and shoulders above Thaiday, Parker and Moi moi

 

[Coxy]

I thought Hunt looked OK in the games I saw. Seemed to pick good options and send the ball to players who had some room to move, which is really what a half should do in 9s. He showed decent toe on his runaway try too. Sure, he only had to outrun Fafita, but for a forward he's not slow and Hunt really did burn him.

Impressed with Nikorima's vision, running and passing game. Can he do it in first grade at 13-a side? Who knows, but with Kahu injured and the only other competitor Strasser, I'd say give him a punt and see how he goes.

Overall I thought the Broncos were pretty good, and certainly their scramble defence was impressive. That shows good signs of their fitness IMO. Is it a real indicator of the season ahead? Of course not, but it's nice to see a bit of confidence in the key players early on.