PYMBLEPETE
New member
@simonthetiger said:
We lost Sirro from last year's 9s. Was that worth it?
I say no no no no no.
NINES TEAM...OFFICIAL
- Thread starter Geo
- Start date
We lost Sirro from last year's 9s. Was that worth it?
I say no no no no no.
innsaneink
Well-known member
So the nines are a mickey mouse tournament, yep, it probably is.
Yet Ive heard dozens upon dozens of times for the last 11 years how we are still reigning sevens champs …so what is it people??
Yet Ive heard dozens upon dozens of times for the last 11 years how we are still reigning sevens champs …so what is it people??
cochise
Well-known member
7's were a mickey mouse comp, just like the 9's. Im looking forward to next weekend and will watch every match of the tournament but it is a novelty and a fun way to start the year and nothing more.
innsaneink
Well-known member
Yeh I guess to be honest Im in two minds of this, see both sides, yes it is a mickey mouse tournament, but it sure as hell aint monopoly money up for grabs
I wonder if we'll take the trials seriously?
No doubt we'll see an injury or three there
I wonder if we'll take the trials seriously?
No doubt we'll see an injury or three there
cochise
Well-known member
@innsaneink said:
Honestly I see the trials being a lot more beneficial, especially this year. The trials will be JT's 1st real opportunity to see how the new structure and styles are progressing against an external opponent.
@cktiger said:
Cowboys beat the Broncos
T
Tiger_In_The_Gong
Guest
This is the first selection process for Jason Taylor, good to see all his loyal supporters giving him the benefit of the doubt.
I really don't understand the whinging.
Are Melbourne silly enough to play Cam Smith, South Greg Inglis? Manly Cheery Evens?
We have had the worst injury toll of any club the last 5 years and people want us to run out our stars in this 9s series.
Doesn't anyone care about trying to start a year for once at close to full strength. The good clubs are focusing on Round 1.
I could not even tell you who played in the 9s finals or semi finals last year.
Are Melbourne silly enough to play Cam Smith, South Greg Inglis? Manly Cheery Evens?
We have had the worst injury toll of any club the last 5 years and people want us to run out our stars in this 9s series.
Doesn't anyone care about trying to start a year for once at close to full strength. The good clubs are focusing on Round 1.
I could not even tell you who played in the 9s finals or semi finals last year.
goldcoast_tiger
New member
@weststigers said:
You'll probably find that quite a few of our top players won't play more than the last trial anyway , or only half a game in some of the others. Those who have had injuries will be probably rested as much as they can, also they know what they can do.
The trials only real importance is to give the chance for fringe players to get a run to see what they can do. Players like Santi, Cherrington, Lamar etc. I doubt you'll see Robbie. Woods , etc playing all games or even most of the games that they do play.
As for the nines, It will be good to see the club play , but after the last couple of seasons , I want to see everyone fit for round 1, that's the only one with two points,
I'm looking forward to see what some of the lower graders can do , as we will be needing them at some time, and we don't get many chances to see them up here.
Masterton
Well-known member
Unfortunately, It's not even a good trial for the young players to show off their wares. I remember watching last year and thinking Patterson was going to be a great buy for us after he carved a few teams up. Just the same as some of the best 20/20 players don't perform in tests.
gallagher
Well-known member
@Eddie said:
Yep
gallagher
Well-known member
@cochise said:
Well enjoy next weekend then because the tournament wont last long with clubs sending crap squads over.
cochise
Well-known member
@gallagher said:
Well I guess the concept isn't that strong then, if it can't survive on its own merit. Have a look at the Big Bash holding its own with very few big stars. I guess the 9's isn't what people thought it was.
Now what happens if we send Farah or Moses and they do an ACL and out for the season in a game that has zero benefit to what we are trying to achieve this season?
I'd prefer one premiership game win to winning the entire 9's tournament.
There's only one comp that holds any weight and it goes for 26 rounds. Playing nines doesn't prepare the team in any way for the season ahead.
JT won't survive the axe if the team does well at the nines but stink in the NRL for the next 3 years
_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_
JT won't survive the axe if the team does well at the nines but stink in the NRL for the next 3 years
_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_
Which missing big names should be in the 9s squad?
Our 2 biggest in Farah and Woods are being rested after a big year including Origin and a 4Nations tour and Tapau too, Brooks is playing in the All Stars, Teddy/Nofo/Moses/Sirro/Halatau/Moltzen are still on the recovery trail.
Galloway is an obvious one, but who else do people think is being unfairly held back from the 9s? Who else is there…..Lodge?
Our 2 biggest in Farah and Woods are being rested after a big year including Origin and a 4Nations tour and Tapau too, Brooks is playing in the All Stars, Teddy/Nofo/Moses/Sirro/Halatau/Moltzen are still on the recovery trail.
Galloway is an obvious one, but who else do people think is being unfairly held back from the 9s? Who else is there…..Lodge?
Nines jersey excites Naiqama
>
Dan Talintyre
Sun 25th January, 03:28PM
A A
EVERY player looks forward to putting on his jersey for the first time that year.
>
However, few will look forward to that occasion more than Kevin Naiqama, who will put on a Wests Tigers jersey for the first time at the 2015 Auckland Nines.
>
Having chalked up his third club in as many seasons, the former Knight and Panther finished the year in Penrith’s competition-winning NSW Cup side, and made the move to Concord hungry for a return to first-grade football.
>
On the books for over two months at Wests Tigers now, Naiqama says he can’t wait to put on the Club’s jersey for the first time and show exactly what he can do.
>
“It’s awesome to be going to the Nines,” said Naiqama during the week. “I think it’s a really good concept for the game, and it’s great for the fans.
>
“Obviously everyone’s a bit skeptical with the injuries that can happen, but I guess that’s the same for every game and training session.
>
“It’s exciting, and I’m honestly counting down the days until I can play.
>
“It’ll be my first chance to put on the Wests Tigers jersey and play with the boys I’ve been training with, so for me, that’s going to make it extra special.
>
“I’m really excited to play footy again at a new club and try to put on a good impression for the coaches here as well as the fans.”
>
Since debuting for Newcastle in 2011, Naiqama hasn’t played more than 10 first-grade games in season — scoring seven tries in eight games for Wayne Bennett’s side in 2012.
>
The Fijian international quickly moved to Penrith a year later to follow his brother Wes — scoring seven tries in eight games there as well — but by his own admissions, never truly settled at the foot of the mountains.
>
Yet at a new club, with a new coach and a new squad, now he does.
>
“It’s been awesome so far at the Club,” enthused Naiqama.
>
“All the boys have made it heaps easy for me to fit in and settle in. They’ve been really welcoming too, and it’s also really good for me to be closer to home. It’s not too far to travel, so I’m really liking it here and the new challenge.
>
“I’ve moved around a lot, but I feel at home here.
>
“This is probably the youngest team I’ve been involved in, which is probably the biggest difference to before,” he said. “I tried to work it out the other day and I’m think I’m the second or third oldest back here — these young guys makes me feel like an old man!
>
"So I think having so many talented young guys here has definitely kept me on my toes, but that’s a really good thing to have at a club.
>
“Because everyone is so young, there’s just such a good vibe at training.”
>
With so much young talent at the Club, the 24-year-old Naiqama said that he was well aware of the challenge that stood in front of him to make his way into first-grade again, but was also clear on his desire to return to the NRL.
>
“Yeah, I had a little personal chat with JT [Jason Taylor] before Christmas and he asked me what my goals were and aspirations were at the Club,” he said.
>
“I just said that I wanted to cement a first-grade spot. This is my third club in as many years, so I really just want to settle down now and find a place here.
>
“And then we had the training just before Christmas in Wollongong with all the boys, which was really good, and JT said that if I can keep doing what I’ve been doing so far, there’s no reason why that goal can’t become a reality.
>
“At the same time though, I know that I need to prove myself.
>
"There’s two really strong wingers here in Nof [David Nofoaluma] and Pat Richards, and I know that they both deserve a starting spot, so it’s up to me to prove that I deserve it more.
>
“I guess I might get that chance early in the year if Nof isn’t quite right for Round 1, which we won’t know until a bit closer to the start of the season.
>
"You don’t like seeing anyone get injured, and I hope that he gets back on the field soon, but if given a crack at first-grade in Round 1, I would be over the moon.
>
“Every year I’ve always started in reserve grade, so to get started from Round 1 would be a real boost for me. From there, it would just be hard work and all on me to really cement my spot and show that I deserve it.
>
“The body is feeling really good, though, and I really feel like I’m a lot stronger, fitter and faster than what I’ve ever been at the start of the year.
>
http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/01/25/nines_jersey_excites.html
We're behind you Kev…well most are....Enjoy your debut
>
Dan Talintyre
Sun 25th January, 03:28PM
A A
EVERY player looks forward to putting on his jersey for the first time that year.
>
However, few will look forward to that occasion more than Kevin Naiqama, who will put on a Wests Tigers jersey for the first time at the 2015 Auckland Nines.
>
Having chalked up his third club in as many seasons, the former Knight and Panther finished the year in Penrith’s competition-winning NSW Cup side, and made the move to Concord hungry for a return to first-grade football.
>
On the books for over two months at Wests Tigers now, Naiqama says he can’t wait to put on the Club’s jersey for the first time and show exactly what he can do.
>
“It’s awesome to be going to the Nines,” said Naiqama during the week. “I think it’s a really good concept for the game, and it’s great for the fans.
>
“Obviously everyone’s a bit skeptical with the injuries that can happen, but I guess that’s the same for every game and training session.
>
“It’s exciting, and I’m honestly counting down the days until I can play.
>
“It’ll be my first chance to put on the Wests Tigers jersey and play with the boys I’ve been training with, so for me, that’s going to make it extra special.
>
“I’m really excited to play footy again at a new club and try to put on a good impression for the coaches here as well as the fans.”
>
Since debuting for Newcastle in 2011, Naiqama hasn’t played more than 10 first-grade games in season — scoring seven tries in eight games for Wayne Bennett’s side in 2012.
>
The Fijian international quickly moved to Penrith a year later to follow his brother Wes — scoring seven tries in eight games there as well — but by his own admissions, never truly settled at the foot of the mountains.
>
Yet at a new club, with a new coach and a new squad, now he does.
>
“It’s been awesome so far at the Club,” enthused Naiqama.
>
“All the boys have made it heaps easy for me to fit in and settle in. They’ve been really welcoming too, and it’s also really good for me to be closer to home. It’s not too far to travel, so I’m really liking it here and the new challenge.
>
“I’ve moved around a lot, but I feel at home here.
>
“This is probably the youngest team I’ve been involved in, which is probably the biggest difference to before,” he said. “I tried to work it out the other day and I’m think I’m the second or third oldest back here — these young guys makes me feel like an old man!
>
"So I think having so many talented young guys here has definitely kept me on my toes, but that’s a really good thing to have at a club.
>
“Because everyone is so young, there’s just such a good vibe at training.”
>
With so much young talent at the Club, the 24-year-old Naiqama said that he was well aware of the challenge that stood in front of him to make his way into first-grade again, but was also clear on his desire to return to the NRL.
>
“Yeah, I had a little personal chat with JT [Jason Taylor] before Christmas and he asked me what my goals were and aspirations were at the Club,” he said.
>
“I just said that I wanted to cement a first-grade spot. This is my third club in as many years, so I really just want to settle down now and find a place here.
>
“And then we had the training just before Christmas in Wollongong with all the boys, which was really good, and JT said that if I can keep doing what I’ve been doing so far, there’s no reason why that goal can’t become a reality.
>
“At the same time though, I know that I need to prove myself.
>
"There’s two really strong wingers here in Nof [David Nofoaluma] and Pat Richards, and I know that they both deserve a starting spot, so it’s up to me to prove that I deserve it more.
>
“I guess I might get that chance early in the year if Nof isn’t quite right for Round 1, which we won’t know until a bit closer to the start of the season.
>
"You don’t like seeing anyone get injured, and I hope that he gets back on the field soon, but if given a crack at first-grade in Round 1, I would be over the moon.
>
“Every year I’ve always started in reserve grade, so to get started from Round 1 would be a real boost for me. From there, it would just be hard work and all on me to really cement my spot and show that I deserve it.
>
“The body is feeling really good, though, and I really feel like I’m a lot stronger, fitter and faster than what I’ve ever been at the start of the year.
>
http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/01/25/nines_jersey_excites.html
We're behind you Kev…well most are....Enjoy your debut
@pHyR3 said:
Sorry have taken no notice of the squads named clearly.
Bottom line, unless the 9s starts counting towards the Premiership I could not give two hoots about it.
Given this clubs history of crippling injuries and starting the season with players out injured it thought most supporters would be like minded. I was wrong.
We have been a failure in the NRL competition for a long time and the club are starting to make some changes hopefully to address that. Im sure targeting a mickey mouse series with a bunch of new coaches - structures in place was not the priority and I applaud them for that.
I would have made Shannon mcdonnell captain of this series if it was up to me.
