Select the Auckland 9s Squad

[Big Pete]

The Auckland 9s kicks off on February 6th at Mt Smart, so in anticipation I thought it'd be interesting to see who fans would like to see in Auckland.

Here's my squad

Andrew McCullough (captain)
Carlin Anderson
Jai Arrow
Joe Boyce
Greg Eden
Herman Ese'ese
Salesi Funaki
Alex Glenn
Lachlan Maranta
Francis Molo
Darren Nicholls
Kodi Nikorima
Joe Ofahengaue
Tom Opacic
Jonas Pearson
James Roberts
Sam Scarlett
Caleb Timu

Largely, I don't want to see too many experienced players involved. Let McCullough and Glenn resume their role as leaders, give the star signing a taste and an opportunity to gel with his team mates on the field. Beyond that, just give the fringe guys an opportunity to play together and give them a taste.

 

[Super Freak]

I would pick mostly reserve graders, as I don't want any of our top players getting injured..

But I would pick Milford, as well. Just so he can work on a combination with Roberts.

 

[M.B.88]

I'd be sending some centres over too...

Kahu, whitchurch, oates even..

But kodi, milf, macca all need to be there

 

[GCBRONCO]

Yeah I would send Kahu and Whitchurch.

 

[MaroubraBroncos]

As long as Carlin Anderson gets a crack i'll be a happy man!

 

[Mitch06]

I wouldn't mind seeing Jaymayne issakho (no idea how it is spelt) have a run. He is exceptionally quick and has great footwork from what I have seen!

 

[jakepearce94]

I wouldn't mind seeing Jaymayne issakho (no idea how it is spelt) have a run. He is exceptionally quick and has great footwork from what I have seen!

is he with us?

 

[Big Pete]

According to the Broncos magazine he is.

I wouldn't mind seeing Isaako either. I haven't seen a lot of him truthfully but from what I've heard he's a decent prospect.

 

[Morkel]

Just send the fastest players. Just for shits & giggles and see if you can win by keeping it that simple. If that includes Roberts & Milf, then I'm okay with that. You'd have to think we have a few fast backs coming through, then put the biggest of the fast players in the forwards (Oates etc) and Kodi at hooker.

 

[Danoz Direct]

Some highlights of him. Looks like a good prospect.

 

[M.B.88]

Just send the fastest players. Just for shits & giggles and see if you can win by keeping it that simple. If that includes Roberts & Milf, then I'm okay with that. You'd have to think we have a few fast backs coming through, then put the biggest of the fast players in the forwards (Oates etc) and Kodi at hooker.

That's not how you win 9s

 

[Allo]

That's not how you win 9s

That's not how the others have won. Doesn't mean it can't work though. No one has really dominated the comp yet through any noticeable strategy. Just playing their own brand in a reduced number's format.

 

[1910]

The Auckland 9s kicks off on February 6th at Mt Smart, so in anticipation I thought it'd be interesting to see who fans would like to see in Auckland.

Here's my squad

Andrew McCullough (captain)
Carlin Anderson
Jai Arrow
Joe Boyce
Greg Eden
Herman Ese'ese
Salesi Funaki
Alex Glenn
Lachlan Maranta
Francis Molo
Darren Nicholls
Kodi Nikorima
Joe Ofahengaue
Tom Opacic
Jonas Pearson
James Roberts
Sam Scarlett
Caleb Timu

Largely, I don't want to see too many experienced players involved. Let McCullough and Glenn resume their role as leaders, give the star signing a taste and an opportunity to gel with his team mates on the field. Beyond that, just give the fringe guys an opportunity to play together and give them a taste.

Scarlett and Ese'ese aren't Broncos' contracted they are training and contracted to Souths.

 

[Morkel]

That's not how you win 9s

Obviously. We stunk it up last year because we couldn't hold on to the ball. It's an exhibition tournament, might as well (a) experiment, and (b) have some fun.

 

[M.B.88]

Obviously. We stunk it up last year because we couldn't hold on to the ball. It's an exhibition tournament, might as well (a) experiment, and (b) have some fun.

I agree. But i don't want to be shit either.

Brings the brand into disrepute if we don't compete

 

[M.B.88]

The best way to play it in my opinion is a balance of speed and muscle in attack just like regular league.

Fast pau the balls gets the defense on the backfoot. Structures and sweeping plays rather than throw it around with no idea. If you play it like you play touch footy you've got a better idea.

But i think it's won on defense. Good attack is great but you need to keep them out and keep field position more than ever

 

[Unbreakable]

Carlin Anderson (Starting)
Jai Arrow
Joe Boyce
Greg Eden
Salesi Funaki
Alex Glenn (c) (Starting)
Jamayne Isaako
Jordan Kahu (Starting)
Anthony Milford (Starting)
Francis Molo (Starting)
Darren Nicholls (Starting)
Kodi Nikorima (Starting)
Joe Ofahengaue (Starting)
Tom Opacic
Jonas Pearson
James Roberts (Starting)
Caleb Timu
Aaron Whitchurch

 

[Danoz Direct]

Carlin Anderson (Starting)
Jai Arrow
Joe Boyce
Greg Eden
Salesi Funaki
Alex Glenn (c) (Starting)
Jamayne Isaako
Jordan Kahu (Starting)
Anthony Milford (Starting)
Francis Molo (Starting)
Darren Nicholls (Starting)
Kodi Nikorima (Starting)
Joe Ofahengaue (Starting)
Tom Opacic
Jonas Pearson
James Roberts (Starting)
Caleb Timu
Aaron Whitchurch

I wouldn't change much except for putting Keegan Hipgrave in the squad somewhere.