Everything Rugby Leagues NRL Auckland Niness Preview: Part One | By Peter Fegan Ah yes, its here again. It’s the “back to reality Monday”. It seems so distance as we are stuffing our faces with ham and pudding, sucking back on beers before lunchtime. But, unfortunately, we all new the holiday would end. Eventually, we would have to face the working world again. On a more positive note- it’s only a mere 26 days until we get to witness what can only be described as the greatest pre-season competition ever created- The Auckland 9s. So, ERL thought it would be fitting to give you a little in-sight in to this pre-season footy feast, by taking a quick look at your club and, its likely starting side for the nines. Also, a quick look at what they’ve been up to. Brisbane Broncos: Runners up last year to little brothers the North Queensland Cowboys and, supporting a new look roster, which includes excitement machine Anthony Milford and superstar in the making Ben Hunt. The Broncos could well and truly go one step further this year. Wayne Bennett has some tough decisions to make though. With Darious Boyd already succumbing to a season crippling Achilles injury and, the fact that the Broncos will feature in the inaugural expansion of the world club challenge plus, the normal trial matches, I find it very hard to believe the super coach will risk his superstars. Expect to see a very rookie side this year. Likely starting side: J Kahu T Lowrie A McCullough C Oats A Glenn © G Eden J Gavet A Blair B Hunt Canberra Raiders: Its do or die for Ricky Stuart. I think its safe to say everybody is sick of the excuses. There was a major change over the Christmas break with club legend David Campese released and, the appointment of a new club captain in Jarrod Croker. Stuart has recruited well in the off-season, nabbing the likes of Blake Austin and Frank-Paul Nu’uausala. He will be keen to show off his new look squad so expect to see a majority starting sideline up at this years nines. Likely starting side: D Tilse E Lee G Buttriss J Croker © F Nu’uausala J Edwards B Austin S Fensome (if fit) B Tupou Canterbury Bulldogs: Llast years NRL competition runners up, the Dogs are hungry to go one better this year. Coach Des Hasler is the ultimate professional. So, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him put together a side full of all his superstars. The Dogs are young, fit and full of mongrel. Hasler managed to recruit Brett Morris in the off-season to join twin brother Josh, quite possible the buy of the year. Throw in the fact he has the NSW halves, the Dogs will not only be hard to stop in the regular season, they will be near impossible to stop in the short form of the game. Likely starting side: G Eastwood J Graham © T Hodkinson J Jackson J Morris B Morris J Reynolds T Williams M Mbye Cronulla Sharks: Well, what to say here. A year from hell for the shire boys. From ASADA to injuries, coach to coach and, lets not forget Todd Carney-gate. Things can only get better for the Sharkies. Coach Shane Flannigan is back from suspension, which is a huge plus for the club. The Sharks have a very intimidating forward pack, lead of course by Paul Gallen, along side him are the likes of Luke Lewis, Andrew Fifita and new recruit Mick Ennis. Flannigan also managed to snare 2012 Dally M winner Ben Barba from the Broncos, a huge buy for the club. No one expects anything from the Sharks so it wouldn’t surprise me if Flannigan flexes his muscle in Auckland. Likely Starting side: W Graham B Barba A Fifta M Ennis L Lewis P Gallen © G Beale J Bird V Holmes Gold Coast Titans: A standard year for the Titans, although they lead the competition early in the year, they finished poorly. Foundation coach John Cartwright has moved on, making way for Neil Henry. Josh Hoffman and David Hala will join the club from M1 rivals the Brisbane Broncos. The Titans are boring and lack creativity; I hope they can prove me wrong, though I strongly doubt it. They will struggle in Auckland. Likely starting side: G Bird D Taylor J Hoffman K Gordon N Myles © D Meade A Sezer R Simpkins W Zillman Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Always impressive, the boys from the Northern Beaches will prove a handful again this season. A disappointing finish to 2014, Geoff Toovey will be keen to make a statement early on. It’s certainly going to be strange to see Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough in different colours this year. But, it won’t affect this great club. Captain Jamie Lyon is like a good bottle of Red, only gets better with age. Throw in the bloke they call DCE and, his partner in crime Kieran Foran, your looking at the true premiership contenders. In the short form, I expect to see the same. Manly have prop forwards with six packs. There fast, lean and mean. Recruiting Willie Mason was a masterstroke by Geoff Toovey; he is a wealth of experience and a great leader. Manly will be hard to stop. Likely starting side: W Mason DCE K Foran J Lyon © B Lawrence P Hiku M Ballin J Buhrer S Matai Melbourne Storm: Arguably the team of the decade, many have ridden off the great side. I’m not so sure. The big three are in as good of form as we have seen. The have a super mobile forward pack with the likes of Proctor, the Bromwich brothers and the super impressive Tohu Harris. Though, I will agree they have an aging squad. Slater, Smith and Cronk are no spring chickens. Bellamy is likely to leave them behind rather than risk them in Auckland. They will be competitive at the nines but they will not dominate. Likely starting side: T Harris R Hinchcliffe K Proctor © B Hampton S Griffin W Chambers J Bromwich K Bromwich M Fonua Newcastle Knights: Much like the Sharks, the Knights had a year to forget. With Wayne Bennett moving on and the reinstatement of Rick Stone, the Knights can only improve. Wayne Bennett did not suit the style of football Newcastle like to play. The Knights will be a surprise package in 2015. With Darius Boyd following Wayne Bennett North, it allows Kurt Gidley to play fullback again, the position he is most comfortable. The Mata’utia brothers were outstanding in their first year in the top grade and will suit the short form of the game. What the Knights need is a Leader, so expect to see Jeremy Smith take over as club captain this year. Likely starting side: C Mata’utia P Mata’utia J Mullen K Gidley J Smith © T Roberts B Scott K Sims D Gagai b Part Two tomorrow Written By: Peter Fegan Source: Everything Rugby League Video: PJB Tributes Subscribe: https://youtube/channel/UCXtD2-V4GgRbwJU9Ej_BVXQ
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 05:07:00 +0000
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