2014 NRL Auckland Nines – Day 1 Wrap
It was a magnificent day of Nines Rugby League in Auckland, where we were treated to oodles of attractive football. The first ever day of the new Auckland Nines tournament was a huge success.
The Standouts:
New Zealand Warriors:
The home nation(Warriors) looked first class in every aspect. Speed in the backs, power and go forward from the metre eating forwards, mixed in with a slick combination between new acquisition – Sam Tomkins and the man with a new found confidence – Shaun Johnson. They will be very tough to beat at any point in the tournament.
Glen Fisiiahi, Sione Lousi, Suaia Matagi along with a host of other names were standouts for the competition favourites.
Penrith Panthers:
Penrith overcame an early scare to defeat the Storm in the worst game of the tournament to date, 14-11. Jamie Soward wasn’t the key man there, it was in fact young gun – Eto Nabuli who hurt the Storm. Soward looked to recover for the Panthers in their walk in the park victory against the Dragons. There was another Panthers young gun who made himself known in the second game, Jennings.
No, not Michael Jennings. Brother, George Jennings. Watch this space.
The Surprise Packages:
Parramatta Eels:
The Eels, off the back of two consecutive wooden spoons weren’t given much of a chance going into the day and rightfully so.
They looked to speedy back, Semi Radradra often and he produced with 4 tries. Corey Norman didn’t overplay his hand in his first two hit-outs for his new club, but was solid nonetheless, setting up a try and scoring one in the victory against the rival Bulldogs.
The Eels amazingly conceded the least amount of points in Day 1.
Melbourne Storm:
After a first game to forget, against the Panthers. Actually, it’s better if everyone forgets that game as a whole. Anyway, they played quite well against the Rabbitohs. Their ability to hold onto the football was key and now they give themselves hope of moving past the First round.
Sydney Roosters:
The 13 a side champions, were big surprises. Playing without such stars as; Sonny Bill Williams, Michael Jennings, James Maloney etc. They shocked the Broncos and led the Eels 11-10. The highlight of the day for the club goes to the much loved Freddy Fitler, as he raced out of the line to take an 80m interception back the other way, ultimately winning the game for his side.
Disappointments So Far:
St George Illawarra Dragons:
The Dragons were tipped by many as outsiders to take the Warriors all the way. However, one day in and they sit last in Pool Red, needing a miracle to make it out of their pool.
Cronulla Sharks:
A team which were seen to have gone ‘all out’ to win the tournament in hope of improving the club’s financial status, look likely to see an early exit.
Todd Carney has now been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a hamstring complaint, which means the Sharks would need to defeat the Titans without the star half to have any chance of progressing to the finals.
The Nathan Gardner sin bin in the early goings against the Wests Tigers looks to be crucial, now.
Day 2 Predictions:
We are tipping the Warriors and Sea Eagles to progress in Pool Yellow and The Eels and Roosters to progress in Pool Green.
With Todd Carney ruled out for the rest of the tournament, The Titans will have too much speed for the Sharks. With the Knights, the other team to progress in Pool Blue.
The class of the Penrith youngsters should put away the Rabbitohs in Pool Red, while the Storm led by Will Chambers will defeat the Dragons to surprisingly move into the Knockout stages.
As for the winner of the competition? You just can’t look past the Warriors at this stage.
While we’ve covered the teams who stood out today as a whole, it’s time to take a look at some players who stood out from an individual stand-point.
Click here for a full review of the 3-2-1’s in every game.
The Crystal Ballboy
Latest posts by The Crystal Ballboy (see all)
- Don’t Draft That Guy! - February 26, 2016
- New Season – New Ludicrous Predictions - February 26, 2015
- Where did we all go wrong? - September 4, 2014
