General Warriors Nrl Nines Team (pick Your)

[KingKon]

I'm not familiar with many of the u20s or NSW Cup guys as I don't get to watch them over here in the UK, but I would assume they would choose the fastest backs and most explosive forwards. I would think that most of the World Cup players will be overlooked, especially the forwards. Johnson will play as he will be a drawcard. I think the 12 first grade squad players we choose will be:

1. Johnson
2. Fish
3. Godinet
4. Benry
5. Laumape
6. Townsend
7. Tomkins
8. Matagi
9. Manu
10. Tuimavave
11. Ikahihifo
12. Locke

Of those, I would expect Tomkins and Manu to probably only play 1 or 2 games. The last thing we wants is a our (hopefully) marquee signing injuring himself before the season even starts.

I think there is a 4 back/5 forward split, so our team would look something like this:

Full Back: Fish
Wing: Laumape
Wing: U20s Speedster
Halfback: Johnson
Prop: Matagi
Hooker: Godinet
Prop: Ikahihifo
Second Row: Benry
Second Row: Manu

6 x Interchanges

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_league_nines

 

[Hitman82]

 

[Weno]

This is the kind of tournament that Tomkins will absolutely destroy. For mine, he is the best elusive runner of the ball in world League. It'll be the perfect way to introduce to the NRL audience as our new superstar.

That being said I'd have a squad of:

Tomkins, Johnson, Locke, Mateo, Bukuya, Henry, Hurrell, Vatuvei, Lolohaea, Fusitua, Kata, Laumape, Godinet, Hukatai, Leuluai, and of course, Fisiiahi.

You took my team,you got incredible vision and instinct bro,LOL.Thats a good side

 

[tangalife]

Friendy this morn on radiosport, counted himself out already and reckonned Mannering would be the pick of the bunch.

 

[Billyspleen75]

The biggest point of difference will be the back/forward split with there not being alot to go on. So i think alot of those Second Row/Centre players will get starts. Hurrell/Manu aswell.

SR Bukuya
Prop Raps
SR Henry

HK TL
HB Shaun Johnson
FE Locke

Wg V Lolohea
Wg Fish
FB Tomkins

FWD Mateo
FWD Peyroux
BK God
BK Fuitua/Hukatai/Tui Lolohea

Read in one of the press releases Elliot said "at least 2" of the top 5 would play. Shaun Johnson and Mateo plus Tomkins being the "at least 2 *maybe 3*" player. Manu and Mannering to be the others in the top 5 not in.

 

[Est95]

Gives you an idea of how you play it, 5 bench players and unlimited interchange, can go for a power play instead of a conversion attempt. These are UK rules of course but could see something similar

 

[fizurg]

Originally rugby 7's was stacked with fast attacking players. Now when you watch it there is an amazing amount of structure and patience shown by the better teams.
I think people may be surprised by the teams chosen.

 

[Matulino's Left Shoulder]

lol this type of tournament is made for the Warriors.
bring back the razzle dazzle, gorilla hands, THEYRE PLAYING BASKETBALL type jungle footy

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

What formation is a actually used in 9s?

 

[Richie]

I'm not sure about the format, but if we take the IRB 7s as template (with 2 more players, obviously), then we're going to want tons of speed, good fitness levels, mobility in our power players and some individual brilliance. No doubt Shaun Johnson was made for 9s, and Tomkins, Laumape, Fish, Hurrell and Locke would make my team (Again, I don't know 9s team structure, but I'd have Fish sweeping the back and doing kick returns, Hurrell playing second row stylez hitting the fringes and Locke scooting out of dummy half) and then I'd probably have Mannering, Henry, Matagi rounding out my starting 9 (giving the team some starch, but maintaining an overall focus on attacking fire power... it's going to be a pts fest tournament). If we get 4 benchies, I'd probably have Vatuvei, Bakuya, Godinet and Townsend. I've included most of our new pick-ups because I'd want to give them as much pre-season game time as possible (do we still play trial matches?). I've picked no specialist props because their meter winning capacity via hit-ups can be made up for by more mobile players with good footwork hitting the bigger defensive gaps and props would be too much of a liability in defence vs the speed machines we'll be facing. We've got plenty of size and power among our outside backs and Mannering, Vatuvei, Matagi and Bakuya are tough enough to play smash ups if we need them to.[DOUBLEPOST=1378689665][/DOUBLEPOST]If we get 5 benchies, I suppose that I'd have Mateo.

 

[Sup42]

I'm not sure about the format, but if we take the IRB 7s as template (with 2 more players, obviously), then we're going to want tons of speed, good fitness levels, mobility in our power players and some individual brilliance. No doubt Shaun Johnson was made for 9s, and Tomkins, Laumape, Fish, Hurrell and Locke would make my team (Again, I don't know 9s team structure, but I'd have Fish sweeping the back and doing kick returns, Hurrell playing second row stylez hitting the fringes and Locke scooting out of dummy half) and then I'd probably have Mannering, Henry, Matagi rounding out my starting 9 (giving the team some starch, but maintaining an overall focus on attacking fire power... it's going to be a pts fest tournament). If we get 4 benchies, I'd probably have Vatuvei, Bakuya, Godinet and Townsend. I've included most of our new pick-ups because I'd want to give them as much pre-season game time as possible (do we still play trial matches?). I've picked no specialist props because their meter winning capacity via hit-ups can be made up for by more mobile players with good footwork hitting the bigger defensive gaps and props would be too much of a liability in defence vs the speed machines we'll be facing. We've got plenty of size and power among our outside backs and ManInering, Vatuvei, Matagi and Bakuya are tough enough to play smash ups if we need them to.

My understanding is no more than four backs out of the scrum ( someone posted it on here ) thereby the break down is five players who must participate in the scrum at the turn over of play the rest are your back line.

Really doesn't matter outside of that how many backs V forwards from the 13's game you pick provided you can lose five to scrums at the set piece.
The nines are booked in to replace one of the three pre season trial games.

In theory it will be a game that suits fast centers and secound rowers with defensive capabilities like Neilson / Mannering / Ben Henry

The NRL teams with the most depth in mobile backrowers and good centers will have the edge imo

 

[eudebrito]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/9139356/New-rule-tweaks-likely-for-NRL-nines-tournament

A few quotes from Tim Sheens in there, he emphasises that the unlimited interchange means there is still a role for the big men in 9s.

I kind of wish it wasn't unlimited interchange, is probably a concession so teams can manage the game time of their star players, but we see enough of monster forward packs battling it out every week in the proper comp.

 

[Richie]

I don't know what it is about Henry that makes me keep forgetting him. Out of sight, out of mind, I suppose. If we've only got 4 backs outside of scrums, I'd make them Shaun Johnson (feeding and regathering from the scrum. He's got the speed and vision to go for it if it's on and his evasive, jinking style would allow more time for our scrum players to break if we went that way), Hurrell, Tomkins and Fish, with Henry and Laumape packing as second rowers (so they could break quickly. Scrums will probably be even more of a joke in 9s than usual.), Matagi and Mannering in the front row and Locke hooking (it might do him some good to get a little squished and sweety). I'd then use Vatuvei, Bakuya, Godinet, Townsend and Mateo (or maybe Matulino, if I wanted more power, without sacrificing too much mobility). With unlimited interchange, 9s might be the perfect opportunity to play Matulino back into some form with some burst usage off the bench.

 

[bigstu]

Fish, godinet, laumape, johnson, tomkins, manu, mateo, gubb, hurrell,

 

[eudebrito]

The forgotten man of the warriors, Carlos Daley might be worth a go in this format, quick, versatile, maybe a good showing would spark something in him.

Not sure what the warriors are planning on doing with him next year, assuming tomkins, he'd be like the 5th choice half, 4th choice fullback, 6th choice centre... Maybe he is off to Wigan, wouldn't be a bad thing for him actually.

 

[BA-AD Luck]

1. Tomkins
2. Fisi'iahi
3. Henry
4. Hurrell
5. Vatuvei
6. Johnson (c)
7. Lolohea
8. Matagi
9. Godinet

10. Bukuya
11. Lousi Sam
12. Mateo
13. Tuimavave

I think they'll rest Leuluai, Mannering and Friend. Those sort of players that get high volume of traffic throughout the season. Locke if he remains in Auckland otherwise, I would rather that he spends extra time getting into a more professional weight for the season. If he's good to go, Tuimavave is on the way out. This team will operate with three "props" Hurrell, Vatuvei and Matagi with Fisi'iahi playing a roving wing role and four playmakers with Tomkins, Johnson, Lolohea and Godinet to make it happen! Our group of mates will be attending (in high numbers too).[DOUBLEPOST=1378972844][/DOUBLEPOST]

So it seems everybody here is comfortable with us using as many stars as possible to get glory and the prize?
Presuming this tournament replaces a trial round, surely it can't be too much more risky than an NRL trial. Even if it is, I believe it's worthwhile... great exposure and a fat wad of cash. Also a chance to see players showcase their skills in a low stress situation.

We always lose players in the pre-season games. At least this would be an exciting way to lose them. It may even be a way where the injuries sustained may not even be as the last two years. Like always, I could be severely wrong.

 

[Richie]

Wow. How good did Lolohea and Taylor go for our 20s today. Glad our boys got the win, but they'll need to life it we're going to put something in the trophy cabinet this year.
I'd probably have to find a spot for Lolohea in my 9s team now. So cool and collected under pressure for such a young player. Not at all like Lino. The winning conversion aside, that was they worst all-around kicking display I I've ever seen.

 

[Jah]

if I had Hurrell in the team he would I would have him in the forwards or sub him out on Defence not enough players on the field for his bad tackling

 

[slaughterhouse.sa]

Wow. How good did Lolohea and Taylor go for our 20s today. Glad our boys got the win, but they'll need to life it we're going to put something in the trophy cabinet this year.
I'd probably have to find a spot for Lolohea in my 9s team now. So cool and collected under pressure for such a young player. Not at all like Lino. The winning conversion aside, that was they worst all-around kicking display I I've ever seen.

Fair to Lino service from Hooker is average....Lino has also missed halve the season.
And in general the 20s ...look like its the start of the season..

Like I have said ...Lolohea is a certaintity in the 9s team.
The young bloke will make his NRL debut next year imo.

He still has two years to go.

Best game from Taylor in a long time ...I was worried he has done too much weights.
But looked more mobile today.

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

lol this type of tournament is made for the Warriors.
bring back the razzle dazzle, gorilla hands, THEYRE PLAYING BASKETBALL type jungle footy

What position would you play Ropo? His game could suit the 9's