NINES TEAM...OFFICIAL

benji's born for 7's & 9's. After next weekend his price will inflate - unfortunately so will his head. Poor kid.

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@Geo. said:
Nines jersey excites Naiqama
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Dan Talintyre
Sun 25th January, 03:28PM
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EVERY player looks forward to putting on his jersey for the first time that year.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“It’s exciting, and I’m honestly counting down the days until I can play.
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“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.
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“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.”
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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.
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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.
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Yet at a new club, with a new coach and a new squad, now he does.
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“It’s been awesome so far at the Club,” enthused Naiqama.
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“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.
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“I’ve moved around a lot, but I feel at home here.
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“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!
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"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.
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“Because everyone is so young, there’s just such a good vibe at training.”
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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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“At the same time though, I know that I need to prove myself.
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"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.
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“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.
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"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.
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“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.
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“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.
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http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/01/25/nines_jersey_excites.html

We're behind you Kev…well most are....Enjoy your debut
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Yeah I know I am. Really looking forward to seeing Kevin play with us this year - I reckon he will be a goodun and surprise the naysayers.
 
definitely, kev is a good player and a great depth signing if we got him cheap. a lot better than promoting your usual NSW cup/U20 wingers like meaney
 
He has shown a fair bit of excitement factor the few times Ive seen him play.
Im pretty sure all WTs fans will be behind Kev and all the others…I really didnt think it was necessary to state the obvious...but anyhooo :neutral_face:
 
@LaT said:
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?
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Farah, Woods and Tapau could have all been picked. Simona and Sue are both playing despite playing in the 4 nations. Farah's last game was off the bench on the 9th Nov. 1 week shy of 3 months before the 9's. Thats a poor excuse
Whats the story with Moses? He didnt get a mention in the january injury update from the club.
 
Farah is recovering from Snoze surgery and going by the size of it could be a long recovery

Besides much more excited to see how Cherrington goes in this format…
 
I don't think then issue is with big names missing. It's more then balance of the team.

One half….Martin Should be there too.

Too many forwards and 3 are slow front rowers in Brown, Buchanan and Ava. 2 of those should be replaced by outside backs like Seve and Heleta.
 
@gallagher said:
@LaT said:
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?

Farah, Woods and Tapau could have all been picked. Simona and Sue are both playing despite playing in the 4 nations. Farah's last game was off the bench on the 9th Nov. 1 week shy of 3 months before the 9's. Thats a poor excuse
Whats the story with Moses? He didnt get a mention in the january injury update from the club.
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Player burnout for Woods and Farah has to be taken into account given they are both going to be playing Origin barring injury or terrible form, taking this into account is about as far from a poor excuse as you can get. Didn't Moses have off season surgery on his groin? Given his history of problems can't say I disagree with given him an extended rest.

Tapau is a fair call. So basically Galloway and Tapau missing? Kind of puts into perspective peoples complaining over us not taking this seriously.
 
Only Parramatta are taking this thing serious lads, and they should win it comfortably.

Look at their team, and compare it to ours.
 
@underdog said:
Only Parramatta are taking this thing serious lads, and they should win it comfortably.

Look at their team, and compare it to ours.
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The Warriors have a pretty handy squad.
 
@underdog said:
Only Parramatta are taking this thing serious lads, and they should win it comfortably.

Look at their team, and compare it to ours.
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Roosters too I think

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Yeah they do, however I think 8 of the first 9 in the squad are walk ins to first grade for Parramatta - the only one with a question mark is John Folau.

I don't think any other team has that kind of representation.
 
I've looked through most squads and they've fielded the minimum 12/25 from NRL squad. Us,dragons,manly,broncos,dogs etc. the real exception I noticed was the Sharks who have about 18 from their top squad. Some are taking it a lot more seriously than we are.

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@LaT said:
Player burnout for Woods and Farah has to be taken into account given they are both going to be playing Origin barring injury or terrible form, taking this into account is about as far from a poor excuse as you can get. Didn't Moses have off season surgery on his groin? Given his history of problems can't say I disagree with given him an extended rest.

Tapau is a fair call. So basically Galloway and Tapau missing? Kind of puts into perspective peoples complaining over us not taking this seriously.
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I find it hard to swallow that the 9s tournament would add to player burnout. Farah has played two games off the bench in the last 5 months and Moses isnt listed as injured so your either fit or your not.

They're both poor excuses to not play these guys.
 
I think player burnout is more mental than physical.

It's the mind that gets tired with too much footy then the body follows.

Looking at it from then outside it's easy to think they have plenty of physical rest and I guess they do. But the mind is too powerful to overcome sometimes and that's the thing we need to manage.
 
@king sirro said:
I think player burnout is more mental than physical.

It's the mind that gets tired with too much footy then the body follows.

Looking at it from then outside it's easy to think they have plenty of physical rest and I guess they do. But the mind is too powerful to overcome sometimes and that's the thing we need to manage.
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Thats a good point KS but I doubt the 9s is a menatlly taxing event. If anything Id imagine the players would like the break from the mundane of off season training.
 
Moses isn't listed as injured, that doesn't automatically mean he is ready to take the field next chance he gets. It may be he isn't training with the rehab crew.

And Farah may not have played much on tour, but he was still on tour training.travelling and staying mentally prepared for Test footy.
 
As I mentioned before..Farah also had off season surgery on his Snoz…Moses groin op....

Missing the Nine's is no biggy in the grand scheme of things....
 
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