Downer NRL Auckland 9's

[Cold Roses]

Kearney is pretty much just sitting back at home watching to see which of his 'next best players' have taken on board what he has been trying to implement at training. Fitness, ball handling, decision making.

He's watching closely while safe in the knowledge that most of his main roster are safe from injury.

This is just a preliminary trial for him. It's giving him a good opportunity to gauge who's close to first grade and who still needs to put in work.

 

[jaseg]

Compared to Hingano and Lino, Tui BEAT more one on one.

What did they (Hingano and Lino) do? They couldnt beat anyone.

Like I said Tui was sparking but NOTHING came of it.

Because that's his game... all off his running. Same reason why Shaun Johnson is a better Nines player than Jonathan Thurston. Hingano and Lino are totally different types of player. And Lino (the guy who is probably slightly more suited to Nines of the two) just isn't a first grader.

Anyway, it was a rubbish squad that kind of defended well given the pressure they put on themselves. We can't take a thing from it... there was what? Three guys from our top 17? (Hoff, Lisone and one of Lolohea/Ayshford... they probably don't both fit in the team) Not all of whom played the 2nd match.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Are there still the rules in regards to having to put so many of your top 10players in your squad?
As we must have been close to breaking that rule!
I'd say next year is last time it in Auckland for a while.
Hopefully they move it around Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland.
Or winner gets to host or auction it off to highest bidder (last year's host city can't bid)

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Kearney is pretty much just sitting back at home watching to see which of his 'next best players' have taken on board what he has been trying to implement at training. Fitness, ball handling, decision making.

He's watching closely while safe in the knowledge that most of his main roster are safe from injury.

This is just a preliminary trial for him. It's giving him a good opportunity to gauge who's close to first grade and who still needs to put in work.

Lots to work on.
Maybe a viewing of Wizard of Oz as plenty missing Heart, Brains and Nerve missing out there!

 

[Cold Roses]

Lots to work on.
Maybe a viewing of Wizard of Oz as plenty missing Heart, Brains and Nerve missing out there!

There's definitely a Best of the Rest feel to the squad. Of the basis of what we've seen, I can't imagine there will be too many surprises in the starting 17 come Rd. 1.

I'm actually not too worried by what they've shown given the lack of experience. And I think Kearney is going to benefit a lot from seeing them in action.

If you add RTS, Fus, Kata, SJ and even Roache to that team, they'd be looking pretty competitive.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

I was looking forward to seeing the young guns show something. Instead the guys that I thought played ok, werent the ones I was looking forward to as Ive seen them before and already know what they can do. Hope tomorrow they (young guns) show some team chemistry.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

We can't take a thing from it... there was what? Three guys from our top 17? (Hoff, Lisone and one of Lolohea/Ayshford... they probably don't both fit in the team) Not all of whom played the 2nd match.

Plus Sipley and Hingano who may play round one, right?

But totally agree otherwise and glad the tournament is almost over for us.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

SJ got injured in last years tournament. I wouldn't play Hoffman, Lisone, Tui or Hingano tomorrow.

 

[jaseg]

Plus Sipley and Hingano who may play round one, right?

But totally agree otherwise and glad the tournament is almost over for us.

I was thinking along the lines of 'likely considered strongest 17 by the coach' - so Foran over Hingano (even though it looks like Hingano will start the season), and not Sipley (though I like him a lot).

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Honestly as long as we get through it without injuries I'll take that as a result

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Will be very interesting as to whether Hoff and other FG options are rested tomorrow. Sensibility says they should, but it'll be hard PR wise with a home crowd, an already disenchanted fan base (due to last year and this tournament's efforts - check social media it's been fiery) etc.

Not that they should give a f**k about the latter. Do what best suits the actual season.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I'll be happy if the Nines moves next yer so there's no pressure on us to play the big guns for the sake of pulling crowd.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

I'll be happy if the Nines moves next yer so there's no pressure on us to play the big guns for the sake of pulling crowd.

That aspect of responsibility being the host nation to put bums on seats sees the promoters play matador, Johnson play the muleta and the Warrior (Johnson) fans are the bull. Johnsons groin tweak was bullsh1t and no complaints there despite my assessment of the injury. We cant risk him and it looks like were going to depend on him heavily again.

You make a good point.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

My thoughts

Ayshford - Looked to be our best player over the two games
Lolohea - There were glimpses of being dangerous, but majority of the time, he wasn't a threat.
Lino - I like Lino, that's not been a secret. However, he hasn't offered anything today. He didn't look upto standard. I'd still like to see how he goes in a proper trial, but given we are looking at SJ, Hingano, Lolohea and possibly Foran as halves options, he needs to grasp every single chance he's given to shine. Today, he didn't shine.

Handling absolutely killed us.

We seemed like we lacked any creativity despite having Lolohea, Hingano, Lino and Cook there.
Our outside backs didn't threaten.

I do think had we still had Kata and SJ in the squad, then perhaps we would have fared better. Certainly would have fancied their difference would have put us past Manly, but probably not the Eels.

I am also quite glad that SJ wasn't playing. I'd rather if he has any niggles, that they don't flare up further because of the 9's.

I do feel for the fans who'd paid to go to the event. Watching from home was bad enough, but at least I wasn't paying $9 for a cold one. Having gone to the first two events (the 2nd was for my brothers stag do), the first was excellent but since then it's been on the decline. I MAY go next year as I highly doubt it will stay in Auckland afterwards.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Tbh Wiki could probably still do a job for us in first grade if all the props go down.

Get him on a $1 contract lol

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Also Allwood was super disappointing.. can't see why we let Wells go but kept him

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Also Allwood was super disappointing.. can't see why we let Wells go but kept him

He looks bigger too. Probably smashing out personal bests in the gym. Im not a fan of Allwood but he defintely underperformed yesterday. Usually a lot more solid.

 

[spear tackle]

Also Allwood was super disappointing.. can't see why we let Wells go but kept him

Me either, the big thing I took from that is if Allwood appears in a FG jumper this year either -A most of the squad are in hospital or B Coaching staff want to be sacked

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Allwood is on a first grade contract and Wells wasn't. That's the difference.

Allwood will be gone at the end of the season.

 

[Cold Roses]

Poor passing sums up the 3 games for me. High looping lobs. Putting the ball too far in front of the man. Hitting the ground before it reaches its target. Lack of a very basic skill. It's hard to find gaps when your'e flat footed waiting for a crap pass.