Auckland Nines Line-Up

[TonyTheJugoslav]

Team seems a bit raw and I am not all that familiar to make a proper judgment call as I have seen little of a number of young players that are in the team. However I do like the fact we are sending a young squad over and am looking forward to seeing the young guns as well as Gavet, Milford even Eden in a Broncos jersey. Will Maranta pull the trigger and show the speed he supposedly has?

Anyway looking forward to it, we have as much chance as everybody else to win it. .

Tipping Glenn to have a blinder, he needs to shape up and he would be stinging given he is not the captain.

 

[Unbiased Nostalgia]

I'm really excited. Hopefully we can get a couple of wins on board, nothing better than winning.

 

[Big Pete]

McCullough ready to take control

He will lead the Brisbane Broncos for the first time at the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines next week but Andrew McCullough is more focused on closing games out than becoming long-term captaincy material.

The last time McCullough captained a side was the Darling Downs representative team at the Queensland state under-18s championships in 2006 and now joins the likes of Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer, Allan Langer and Gorden Tallis as men to have led the Broncos into battle.

As is befitting of coach Wayne Bennett there was no fanfare around the announcement on Wednesday, with McCullough's name simply the first to be read out to the assembled playing group, but the Dalby Devils junior said it was a great honour to be given such a role.

"He just read the team out and said I was captain, so I was over the moon," said McCullough, who will turn 25 the day before the Nines kick off. "He just said it in front of everyone so obviously I was very excited and happy to be able to lead a Broncos team in any competition or with any jersey on.

"Obviously it's a huge honour to captain any side but especially [to lead] the Brisbane Broncos is a very proud moment for myself and I'm just really thrilled and excited about it."

But while debate continues to circulate as to who Bennett will appoint as his sole captain for the upcoming NRL season, McCullough said his goals centred around contributing when it counts.

The Broncos were guilty of letting sizeable leads slip against the likes of the Roosters and Rabbitohs last season that ultimately impacted significantly on their final position on the ladder.
In a stellar season that culminated in selection in the Kangaroos' team for the Four Nations, some criticism was levelled at Ben Hunt's ability to close a game out but McCullough insists it is an area where he himself needs to have a greater influence.

"I've got a few goals that I've set. For me it's that consistency in closing games out, I want to take a bit more responsibility on that," said McCullough.

"There were some important games last year where we had quality teams, top four teams, beaten and ended up beating ourselves with a few minutes to go and that comes back to responsibility on myself and Benny Hunt in a way as well. Closing games out and just sticking to a game-plan when we've got a lead and to be able to back our defence a lot better."

With 145 games for the Broncos over the past six seasons McCullough has established himself as one of the most durable players in the competition.

In the two games he missed last season the Broncos suffered losses to the Sharks and Warriors and with so many new faces at the club this year he has taken a more active role in getting to know his teammates.

According to McCullough, it's the type of actions that define leadership, whether you have the 'c' next to your name or not.

"You should be always willing to put yourself out there at the best of times, even without the 'c' next to your name," he said.

"To spend time with blokes you wouldn't normally and obviously guys you haven't had much to do with over the last few years and who are new to the team... There are more than 8-10 guys in a team, it's a squad of 30 these days so it doesn't have to be long but a conversation can go a long way with certain blokes in the team.

"You should always be trying to lead in your own way. [Being captain] shouldn't change who I am as a person and also me as a player. It's something I'm very proud of but in saying that it's not going to change me and how I train or how I am around the boys."

http://www.nrl.com/mccullough-ready-to-take-control/tabid/10874/newsid/83493/default.aspx

 

[Big Pete]

Joe Boyce sees Auckland Nines as a chance to go further

JOE Boyce may have ticked a major box with his selection for the Auckland Nines but that doesn't mean he is about to bask in his glory.
The 20-year-old former Nambour junior will travel to New Zealand on Thursday with his Broncos teammates ahead of next Saturday's first match against the Roosters.

Boyce, who spoke recently of his desire to gain selection for the tournament, said although it was a big achievement, there was still much work to be done if he was to establish himself in Brisbane's top 17.


"It is a step in the right direction, that's for sure, and it will push me forward for a debut this year when my chance comes," he said.


"I think it will further prepare me playing in front of big crowds and there is a lot at stake."

Boyce signed a two-year deal with the Broncos at the end of last season after finishing a stint with Newcastle in the National Youth Competition.


It is a remarkable rise for the back-rower. Only three years ago he was playing for Caloundra's A-grade team.


Boyce said he was itching to throw on the Broncos colours and show coach Wayne Bennett and the rest of the competition that he deserved to play at the elite level.


"I am looking forward to displaying my skill set and I know I can play well - I know I can do it," Boyce said.


"It will be a good challenge and I can't wait to get out there and play against the top players.


"I like to play at 100% and with a lot of aggression and that is what I will be looking to do.


"It is another level again and is a foot in the door."


Boyce will play alongside established Broncos Andrew McCullough and Alex Glenn and former Canberra Raider Anthony Milford.


Boyce said a strong showing should boost his chances of getting a run in the preseason trial matches.


"If I am in those trials it means that I am getting a look-in and only 20 of us from 32 will get a chance to trial, so if I can play well over there (New Zealand) it will help," he said.


"There will be a lot of boys disappear around rep honours and there will be injuries as well throughout the year so I just have to wait."

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/boyce-sees-nines-as-a-chance-to-go-further-boyce-e/2521802/

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Nines the perfect platform for Baby Broncos to shine

DateJanuary 28, 2015 - 12:00AM

Beth Newman

Anthony Milford will relish ending the off-field spotlight and converting it into on-field feats.​

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Star recruit Anthony Milford is happy to let his younger teammates take the lead in this weekend's Auckland nines competition.
In an 18-man squad that includes a handful of 2014 Under-20s grand finalists, most eyes will be on Milford in his first outing for the Broncos.
The lightning competition has previously unearthed some diamonds including Broncos youngster Kodi Nikorima who propelled himself into NRL calculations with an impressive performance last season.

Kodi Nikorima made every post a winner in last year's Auckland Nines. Photo: Hannah Peters​

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Only 20 himself, Milford is one of the few established NRL stars in the Broncos side for the competition but said he wouldn't be trying to stamp too much of an influence on the team.
"I'm pretty shy around the boys," he said.
"When it comes to nines, the younger boys, they all tend to step up and want a look into the starting 17," he said.

Joe Ofahengaue comes into calculations for the Broncos. Photo: Christopher Chan​

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The high-speed version of rugby league is one made for players like Milford and he can't wait to make his much-hyped Broncos debut.
It will also be the first time he has played a part in the pre-season tournament, after being unavailable in 2014.
"It's been a tough three months but I'm glad to see the light at the end of the tunnel," he said.
"There'll be a lot of one-on-one opportunities, which I enjoy.
After a year of intense speculation, Milford said being back in Queensland took a weight off his mind.
"Yeah it's really good, especially coming home to family," he said.
"Mum's already cooked a feed and I enjoy that part of it coming home and relaxing and not worrying about too many things."
That balance and new-found relaxation is something Milford says he wants to embrace this season.
"Yeah that's one thing myself and Wayne spoke about was enjoying myself on the field and especially off the field," he said.
"You've got to have that balance."
Looking a little bit more long-term, the Broncos' off-season clean-out has Milford looking forward to ticking off another round of firsts, including his first match at Suncorp Stadium.
"A couple of weeks ago I looked at our roster and picked out a side and it's exciting what lies ahead for the boys," he said.
"I've never played at Suncorp before. I've only been to a few games there.
"That was a game I always looked at trying to get when I was at Canberra, so to play at such a big stadium and call it home is a dream come true."
The Broncos head across the Tasman on Thursday ahead of the two-day competition, with the NRL launch also occurring in New Zealand.

Nines the perfect platform for Baby Broncos to shine

 

[Porthoz]

Gavin Cooper looks just about ready to throw a touchdown pass... :laugh:

 

[JoeldTrafford]

Hoping they have been working the their drop kicks this time round. If I remember correctly most of the guys had shockers last season at converting the tries.