Boom five-eighth Corey Norman will skipper the Parramatta Eels in the third edition of the Auckland Nines. Norman will lead a squad that features 16 players with first grade experience headlined by the the two-time Dally M winger of the year Semi Radradra. While Semi gives the Eels arguably unrivalled strike power on the flanks the Blue & Gold have also assembled a fearsome forward pack for the two day tournament as backrow enforcers Manu Ma’u and Tepai Moeroa and powerhouse bookend Junior Paulo all earned selection. New recruits Mitch Cornish, Cameron King, Kelepi Tanginoa and Matt Woods also made the cut after impressing head coach Brad Arthur in the pre-season.
Perhaps the most intriguing selection is that of Holden Cup fullback Bevan French who along with Woods represents the only uncapped players in the squad. French recently completed his first full-time pre-season despite his eligibility for the Holden Cup and was singled out by his captain for praise as Norman nominated French as not only his player to watch for the weekend but as the player most likely to give Semi a run for top try-scorer.
The Eels will meet the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Melbourne Storm in the Waiheke pool.
Parramatta Eels Auckland Nines squad:
Mitch Cornish
Bureta Faraimo
John Folau
Bevan French
David Gower
Luke Kelly
Cameron King
Manu Ma’u
Tepai Moeroa
Ryan Morgan
Cody Nelson
Corey Norman (c)
Junior Paulo
Semi Radradra
Kelepi Tanginoa
Peni Terepo
Vai Toutai
Matt Woods
Read the full press release at parraeels.com.au
Would of liked to have sewn shoulte go
Shulte sorry *
There are definitely a couple of other players I would love to see make the trip over the ditch – Schulte included – but given that there are only 5 non Top 25 spots available in the squad of 18, room for those guys were always going to be tight.
We take on the Titans the following weekend in Alice Springs which will be a good platform for the guys who missed out on the Nines to impress – albeit in a non-televised game for us fans.
I reckon that Pauli’s departure has pushed one of these blokes into the top 25.
I’m looking forward to seeing John Folau getting a run. I think too many people have written this guy off and I have no idea why. What were they expecting after only a handful of first grade games
Interesting squad. Four play-makers keeps us potentially well organised on both sides of the ruck/field at all times.
Strong, mobile forwards many of whom have ball skills. Four big, powerful backs who are renowned finishers.
And of course the blokes who are there, not to just make up numbers. Looks pretty well balanced to me.
Hhmmmm, we’ll see next weekend!
An interesting squad, there is certainly enough strike power to threaten the competition even without guys like Jennings, Gutherson and Schulte in there. Remembering how much Corey Norman carved up last year I expect him to star once more and we’ve got a nice mobile pack there too.
We should certainly get out of the group stage, I can’t imagine the Cowboys or Roosters will take this too seriously with trips to the UK for the WCC coming up. How we go beyond there who knows, there will probably be a couple of teams like the Rabbitohs last year who send a full strength squad to give it a serious threat, but of the few teams announced so far we compare pretty favourably.
The squad is quite interesting from my perspective, or should I say analysise. Many may have thought that some of the new signings may have been prominent in the squad, yet there is only 3 such players in Mitch Cornish & Cameron King, Mathew Woods while there are quite a few existing players on 1 year contract extensions.
They include Bureta Faraimo, Luke Kelly, Cody Nelson, Nathan Peats, Vai Toutai, Joseph Ualesi, Danny Wicks, while Kelepi Tanginoa, returns to the eels on a 1 year deal.
Of the remaining players both Corey Norman, Junior Paulo, have their contracts up at end of 2016, leaving just 4 who have contracts seemingly for 2 or more years, according to available lists they are John Folau, Bevan French, David Gower. Tepai Moeroa, & Ryan Morgan.
Not wanting to read anything into the picking of the squad, my thoughts are that coach Arthur is likely giving the selected 1 year players every oppurtunity to show their wares for the coming year. I guess the most surprising selection to me, given the 9’s are speed games would be that of Junior Paulo, to whom I am not sure is considered fast, although we have not likely seen what he can do in that department, but it does also possibly send a signal to Junior that BA, would like him in his future plans.
Rumours aside, some of these players may not be part of the team after this year, possibly even those who have contracts for 2017 as has happened to Pauli Pauli, along with rumours on Ryan Morgan, so I would like to extend to all the players & associated officials as they travel to Auckland this week my support to them & hopefully bring home the trophy to really kick start season 2016.
Seems I may have mixed up a couple of the names, by having Nathan Peats & Joseph Uales listed as in the squad rather than Manu Ma’u & Peni Terepo, both of whom are also not listed in having their contracts up at end of 2016 (in the list I have anyway) this does change the equation slightly meaning of the 18 going 6 have contracts beyond this seasons.
Apologies for blooper.
Eels will do fine. Corey Norman with lots of room to move will steer Parra to the finals.