NINES TEAM...OFFICIAL

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Auckland Nines 2015 Team Announcement

Fri 23rd January, 01:48PM
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Wests Tigers have today announced the Club’s NRL Auckland Nines side for 2015 with Chris Lawrence set to lead the team at Eden Park.

This will be Lawrence’s first appearance at the NRL Auckland Nines and he will take the reins as captain in the absence of Robbie Farah.

Experienced winger Pat Richards, plus young guns Manaia Cherrington and Delouise Hoeter will make their second NRL Auckland Nines appearance for Wests Tigers, with new recruit Kevin Naiqama also returning to the tournament after playing for Penrith last year.

It will be Naiqama’s first appearance in Wests Tigers colours, along with former Dragons and London Broncos halfback Josh Drinkwater.

There will be plenty of young talent on show from the 2015 NRL squad with rookies Salesi Funaki, Lamar Liolevave, Kyle Lovett, Cherrington and Hoeter all named to take the field in what shapes up to be an exciting weekend of football.

Head Coach Jason Taylor said the tournament will provides another avenue for players to impress ahead of the NRL season.

“We have selected a fairly young side but it’s an exciting one,” Taylor said.

“It provides a number of these players with an opportunity to stake their claims on a spot for Round 1 in March and I’m really looking forward to seeing what they’ve got.

“It’s an exciting format of the game and I feel we have a team that has a good mix of youth, experience and speed which will suit the tournament.”

Wests Tigers will come up against the New Zealand Warriors, Canberra Raiders and Gold Coast Titans in the Hunua Ranges pool, starting on Saturday, January 31.

Wests Tigers 2015 Auckland Nines squad (in alphabetical order):

Sitaleki Akauola, Nathan Brown, Jack Buchanan, Manaia Cherrington, Josh Drinkwater, Asipeli Fine, Salesi Funaki, Delouise Hoeter, Chris Lawrence, Lamar Liolevave, Kyle Lovett, Joel Luani, Kevin Naiqama, Pat Richards, Brenden Santi, Ava Seumanufagai, Tim Simona, Sauaso Sue.

http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/01/23/auckland_nines_2015_.html
 
From first looks seems very forwards heavy. Lack of pace might be our downfall.

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Gee some guys there that I really didn't expect. Luani and Buchanan. Not much in the backs at all.

Can't see us doing all that well
 
Who cares about the 9's. I'd rather go well and try and make the 8\. No one remembers the 9's later in the year.

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2/3 of the team are forwards! Only one playmaker? 2 players with speed?

Warriors could put 100 on us.

JT giving the tournament the middle finger by picking so many average squaddies like Lovett, Luani, Brown, Buchanan etc. 1-2 of those guys max.

Drinkwater to do all the playmaking, passing and kicking? Way to easy to target him. Must be trying to lower the value of our NYC boys by not showcasing them!
 
From the 18 players named ? these are the guys who will be in our 17 come Round 1 in my opinion

Sitaleki Akauola, Chris Lawrence, Lamar Liolevave, Pat Richards, Ava Seumanufagai, Tim Simona, Sauaso Sue.

Maybe Naiqama might come in for Nofo on the wing if he is not fit for Round 1 .

I'm glad we are not exposing the majority of our 1st Grade Squad for this Mickey Mouse Comp , i will still be watching our young-ens carve up and Lawrence :mrgreen:
 
Why do we support the club?
To watch them play and win games in competituions against the others.
Never sits well with me not taking anything youre involved in seriously…so much for proffesionalism
 
At this stage of a complete shakeup I can't fault the club for concentrating on the long term goals rather then a pre season comp in its 2nd year. Resting the 4Nations guys and using caution with niggling injuries is the right choice.

Take the time to get things right before going all out for every hit and giggle we must play.
 
I'll have a crack at a run on side….

1\. Hoeter
2\. Richards
3\. Lawrence
4\. Simona
5\. Drinkwater
6\. Sue
7\. Akaoula
8\. Cherrington
9\. Seumanufangai..
 
clearly picked a squad that just met the requirements by the NRL and doesnt risk our season too much.

will be nice to see some players like hoeter, lamar and drinkwater though.
 
@innsaneink said:
Why do we support the club?
To watch them play and win games in competituions against the others.
Never sits well with me not taking anything youre involved in seriously…so much for proffesionalism
Click to expand...

The professionalism is not risking the big plan for a short term win. Well done JT

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@alex said:
I'm flying 2,000km to see our second string State Cup side run round? Thanks Wests Tigers…
Click to expand...

For a building to rise & soar to the sky - it must have a solid foundation.

_Posted using RoarFEED Android 1.1.7_
 
Why was Moltzen not chosen? If anyone needed to round around playing touch footy to get some conditioning it was him. Plus it adds another play maker, sort of.
 
Jason Taylor was on the grill team this morning and when asked about the 9's side said it is a concept that he supports but at this stage with the new coaching structure it was important for the key personal to be in Sydney preparing for the season. Basically he stated that there have been too many changes at the Tigers this offseason to send a stronger 9's team.
 
@sheer64 said:
Why was Moltzen not chosen? If anyone needed to round around playing touch footy to get some conditioning it was him. Plus it adds another play maker, sort of.
Click to expand...

\

Tim Moltzen (knee) — Three to five weeks until full training
 
Guys it is a mickey mouse competition that in a lot of games relies on luck. I am glad we are not sending star players, as JT said this morning it is much more important that our key players continue to prepare for the season and become more accustomed to the new style and structures.
 
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