Select the Auckland 9s Squad

[big k]

Hooker - McCullough
Halfback - Nikorima
Five Eighth/Fullback - Milford
Centre - Roberts
Wing - Oates
Wing - Kahu
Prop - McGuire
Prop - Blair
Second Row - Glenn

With the likes of Ofahengaue, Gillett, Scarlett, Anderson, Arrow etc as reserves.... catch us if you can, old school you score 3 tries we'll score 6 Broncos. Not gonna happen though.

 

[Super Freak]

THE Auckland Nines are just around the corner and Ben Hunt had his heart set on showing his stuff.

But it looks like Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has vetoed that idea, quick smart.

Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt is “filthy” he won’t get a start at the Auckland Nines as coach Wayne Bennett looks to reduce the load on his playmakers.

While halves partner Anthony Milford and fullback Darius Boyd are confident they will get a call up for the tournament next month, Hunt said Bennett wants to keep him fresh for the season.

“He’s told me that I won’t be playing in the Nines. I’m a bit filthy about that,” he told foxsports.com.au.

“I played the first year and had an unbelievable time, but it’s not to be this year.

“We’re playing another trial in Bundaberg on the same weekend as well. He’s got a really quick side going over with some big forwards and I don’t really fit into that mould.”

Milford said he was disappointed with the way he played at the tournament in 2015 and wants to do better, but it will be Boyd’s first time.

“I’m excited actually because I missed the first year and I was injured last year,” Boyd said.

“It’ll be the first bit of footy for the year. It’s exciting.

“A few of the boys have filled me in on the best way to play and how it works so I’m looking forward to it.”

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...t-for-nines-snub/story-fn2mcuj6-1227709008803

 

[broncoboy]

im not sure whether bennet will risk his players and play for the win and the prize money or just play it safe and not risk many injuries for example if milford did his acl thats broncos season and maybe milfords career for me

 

[Mitch06]

I don't really see the point in trying to win. Tbh, I don't mind if we send a decent side over but I don't really want Hunt, Milf or Kahu going over.

 

[bb_gun]

[TWEET]689243069074386944[/TWEET]

Good, we need him at 100% this season. No point in risking an injury to our most important spine player.

 

[Unbreakable]

Boo :(

I guess that's fine. I was really excited to see a combination of Milford, Nikorima, Roberts & Anderson at the 9s doe.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Disappointing but was always a possibility, I rate the 9's well above the all-stars and thought that at least one of Hunt or Milford would have appeared but Bennett doesn't want to take the risk I guess which isn't surprising in that sense.

 

[1910]

Boo :(

I guess that's fine. I was really excited to see a combination of Milford, Nikorima, Roberts & Anderson at the 9s doe.

Definitely one of those.

 

[Super Freak]

Yeah, this competition won't last long if the stars keep pulling out.. The players the fans want to see.

 

[Big Pete]

There were two decisions in my squad that were really calculated.

Firstly, I wanted to see James Roberts selected since it'd be a nice reason for fans to tune in.

However, that would be at the expense of Milford who I believe needs to be carefully managed in his second year at the club.

As exciting as it would be to see Milford at the 9s, I'd hate to over-work the kid and expose him to conditions he wouldn't be used to or have to get used to. The 9s is just a fun interlude into the season and it gives the younger players an opportunity to make an impression and mesh with some of the older players.

 

[broncos4life]

I may be the only person in this camp but I actually prefer when the 'big stars' sit out this comp. At the end of the day this weekend is just a bit of fun and the chase for the league starved public to get some footy after a long off-season.

I prefer to see the fringe firsties and U20s play this comp, it gives them some more experience and gives fans a look at the guys you have coming through.

 

[Porthoz]

I may be the only person in this camp but I actually prefer when the 'big stars' sit out this comp. At the end of the day this weekend is just a bit of fun and the chase for the league starved public to get some footy after a long off-season.

I prefer to see the fringe firsties and U20s play this comp, it gives them some more experience and gives fans a look at the guys you have coming through.

While I agree with that premise, at the same time it will end up killing the competition if/when clubs decide to keep their best players away. It needs a balance of both imo.

You don't see that happening in other codes overseas, where this type of competition normally has a balance of the best and the newest...

 

[Big Pete]

Milford also revealed he would not play in the NRL Nines, a tournament he and the Broncos struggled in last year, so that he could play proper trial matches instead.

“I don’t think I’ll go. I think I’ll get more out of it if I play a game for 80 or 60 minutes,” Milford said.
The Broncos will name their Nines team next week and it is expected to feature a predominantly young side with two or three senior players.
On the weekend of the Nines, the Broncos’ best talent will actually be playing an NRL trial in Bundaberg against North Queensland.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...r/news-story/cd0227dd3e8b7bd2ed6ebd22eb146759

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

I may be the only person in this camp but I actually prefer when the 'big stars' sit out this comp. At the end of the day this weekend is just a bit of fun and the chase for the league starved public to get some footy after a long off-season.

I prefer to see the fringe firsties and U20s play this comp, it gives them some more experience and gives fans a look at the guys you have coming through.

Yeah i agree with this too to a point. It's good seeing others run around. First time i got to see certain players play for the club.

 

[Cult]

While I agree with that premise, at the same time it will end up killing the competition if/when clubs decide to keep their best players away. It needs a balance of both imo.

You don't see that happening in other codes overseas, where this type of competition normally has a balance of the best and the newest...

I could name a lot of the Wallabies team but I have absolutely no idea who any of the Rugby 7's players are. These sort of comps rarely have any superstars playing in them. The All-Stars game on the other hand..

 

[sus]

yep who really watches the 7s anyways (relative to your super rugby or test match viewers). even with marmin in the mix i couldnt give less *****. and realistically, no one expects the nrl to alter the squad requirements anytime soon (then again who the hell really knows what the hell this administration will pull out of their behinds next...)

but with continual fringe players heading over either the 9s or the allstars is really on borrowed time i reckon

im a proud 1 eyed supporter and would be pretty ticked off if we sent the A team over and came back with any injuries or a pub table-top dancing incident that threatens a title crack....

who knows, one day with a bigger broadcast deal and subsequently larger squads and better talent retention.. it could be more of a EPL v FAcup v UEFA scenario where theres usually always skeleton crew of a-listers tagging along

shame though.. maranta was made for this comp as far as im concerned...

 

[ivanhungryjak]

[video]https://t.co/QHYDuViggq[/video]

Come on great man, do it.

 

[sus]

now THAT would do it for me. that i will pay to see.. just to catch him from the crowd after the game one last time