Auckland Nines Jersey / Tournament

[Gumby]

don't care for this tournament. send our juniors over there and a couple of first graders such as prior, ayshford, taga, d fifi, tupou, M Brown.

Then throw in Holmes, Nu Brown, Gagan etc..

No need to send over our top players because if they get injured then we're back to were we started last year.

 

[CrazyMatt]

No need to send over our top players because if they get injured then we're back to were we started last year.

Players will always have that risk of injury before the season, be it the 9's, pre-season training or the trials. I really don't see the difference. You can't just wrap them in cotton wool until round 1 or they go in underdone. Send some of our best I say (yes, including Barba) and let's actually win something, the prize money wouldn't hurt either. Only players I wouldn't even consider are the guys in the 4 Nations, or the guys who are still recovering from major surgeries (Ennis).

 

[SharkShocked]

don't care for this tournament. send our juniors over there and a couple of first graders such as prior, ayshford, taga, d fifi, tupou, M Brown.

Then throw in Holmes, Nu Brown, Gagan etc..

No need to send over our top players because if they get injured then we're back to were we started last year.

Can't anyway - rules enforced that you have to have x amount of your top 5 / top 10 players.

So some of the stars will definitely be there.

Can always limit their game time though if you are that worried.

Injuries happen any time, training, trials, whatever.

 

[HaroldBishop]

don't care for this tournament. send our juniors over there and a couple of first graders such as prior, ayshford, taga, d fifi, tupou, M Brown.

Then throw in Holmes, Nu Brown, Gagan etc..

No need to send over our top players because if they get injured then we're back to were we started last year.

Players will always have that risk of injury before the season, be it the 9's, pre-season training or the trials. I really don't see the difference. You can't just wrap them in cotton wool until round 1 or they go in underdone. Send some of our best I say (yes, including Barba) and let's actually win something, the prize money wouldn't hurt either. Only players I wouldn't even consider are the guys in the 4 Nations, or the guys who are still recovering from major surgeries (Ennis).

I kind of agree with both of you.

I don't mind sending the odd important first grader but we shouldn't be sending many imo.

 

[A.Snowden]

I dont buy into the 'players can get injured in unnecessary games' the fact is we could use the cash, the exposure and confidence from winning the tournament.... Not to mention players can get just as injured in round 1 so no real difference

 

[slide rule]

I think it would be pretty sweet conditioning. Playing a fast game in the heat with a bit of contact.

Actual match fitness is important.

 

[Bizzy029]

What is the squad size for the 9's.. 15??

 

[deano the p]

I'd love to see us win it. Would be great to add something else to the AMCO Cup even if it is insignificant.

 

[JimBob]

I don't want us to send over Barba.

The guy would no doubt fire in the tournament, and could possible help us win it. But I would much rather have Barber fit for round one than have him injured (I'm having flashbacks of Carney). I wouldn't send Robson over for two reasons. I want both our halfs fit for round one, it'll give us a chance to see how Nu handles himself organising the team.

Wouldn't have any of the guys from the four nations play, neither should Brown/Ennis.

I think we take 16 players over? With current signings I'd take:

1. Holmes
2. Feki
3. Ayshford
4. Gagan
5. Nu Brown
6. A Fifita
7. Tupou
8. Politoni
9. Gallen

10. D Fifita
11. Bird
12. Arona
13. Gardner
14. Murphy
15. Prior
16. Roqica

 

[XGinga]

I dont buy into the 'players can get injured in unnecessary games' the fact is we could use the cash, the exposure and confidence from winning the tournament.... Not to mention players can get just as injured in round 1 so no real difference

I agree that we should be trying our best to win this. Would be great for our brand point of view. I think we should be sending the best team we can over.
What I don't agree with is the fact the players can get just as injured in round 1 than at the nines.
They have to play potentially 6 games (if we make it to the finals) over the course of 3 days, yes they are shorter games but the pace and velocity is very different to an Nrl game. Also it's in the middle of summer which the players wouldn't normally be used to playing in such heat. It's much more likely to get injured in this than in round 1

 

[slide rule]

They've also got heaps of time to get ready for the season if they do get injurred. Even if they get a bad injury they'll probaby be back by mid-season at the worst anyway.

 

[sharky7]

They've also got heaps of time to get ready for the season if they do get injurred. Even if they get a bad injury they'll probaby be back by mid-season at the worst anyway.

The only real bad injury i can think of was to lachy coote who did his ACL and was gone for the season.

but 1/300 players sent over there really should dispel those thoughts of 'lets not send our stars'

 

[HaroldBishop]

The only real bad injury i can think of was to lachy coote who did his ACL and was gone for the season.

but 1/300 players sent over there really should dispel those thoughts of 'lets not send our stars'

That probably worked out well for the Cows in the end. Miles was a real find at fullback for them.

 

[sharky7]

That probably worked out well for the Cows in the end. Miles was a real find at fullback for them.

I assume you mean Morgan but yep 100%. His combo with Thurston was great - tore us to shreds at Remondis

 

[HaroldBishop]

I assume you mean Morgan but yep 100%. His combo with Thurston was great - tore us to shreds at Remondis

Yep. Don't know where I got Miles from.

Cootes' injury was probably arranged by the NRL anyway, Sydney bastards.

 

[evertonshark]

The only real bad injury i can think of was to lachy coote who did his ACL and was gone for the season.

but 1/300 players sent over there really should dispel those thoughts of 'lets not send our stars'

Mullen too.

 

[sharky7]

Mullen too.

Yep forgot about him. He was a huge loss for the knights early on.

Still, players could get injured whenever. If i was in charge, i'd be sending our strongest possible team.

 

[Capital_Shark]

Winning the 9s is more prestigious than winning the minor premiership or the whole damn thing, as far as prize money is concerned anyway.

I agree with those saying send our best available and go all out to win this thing. Good way to start a year any year but would be massive given our last year.

If someone is gonna break down playing potentially 6 18 minute games in late January well these things happen.

Also as someone mentioned they've put things in place to stop side snubbing this tourney by making teams send a certain number of top players. So I guess pick which of your top 5 and so on you're willing to sacrifice. Personally I reckon the 9s are safer than preseason trials. I don't think the games are played at anymore of a pace than NRL - most sides go full on for about 20mins before interchanges and these games don't even go 10misn before halftime is called. There is a lot less chance of injuries in gang tackles and the wrestle due to the reduced amount of defenders. Christ, Fittler played at 40-something and even bagged a try.

 

[Addy]

How good will it be if we announce Peachey Snr for the Nines next week

 

[snowman]

Winning the 9s is more prestigious than winning the minor premiership or the whole damn thing, as far as prize money is concerned anyway.

I agree with those saying send our best available and go all out to win this thing. Good way to start a year any year but would be massive given our last year.

If someone is gonna break down playing potentially 6 18 minute games in late January well these things happen.

Also as someone mentioned they've put things in place to stop side snubbing this tourney by making teams send a certain number of top players. So I guess pick which of your top 5 and so on you're willing to sacrifice. Personally I reckon the 9s are safer than preseason trials. I don't think the games are played at anymore of a pace than NRL - most sides go full on for about 20mins before interchanges and these games don't even go 10misn before halftime is called. There is a lot less chance of injuries in gang tackles and the wrestle due to the reduced amount of defenders. Christ, Fittler played at 40-something and even bagged a try.

agree with you mate, we should be focused on winning this