He may have been in the media for the wrong reasons the past week, but it was less than a month ago Mitchell Pearce highlighted an often overlooked aspect to achieving success at the Auckland 9’s.

Speaking with Roosters Media, the in-turmoil half stated: “People are always thinking about the space out wide, but in my opinion the ruck is where the game is won.” (NRL.com, 2016) – he couldn’t be more spot on.

It is for this reason that the squad Brad Arthur has selected for the two day tournament has caught my eye.

While it may appear on the surface that some of the players chosen have purely been rewarded for pre-season efforts – and that we’re keeping some of our luxury cars in the garage – there are still plenty of reasons for Eels fans to enter this weekend with optimism.

As Pearce alluded to, the key to success at the 9’s is dominating the ruck. If you have players who can hit the line fast, attract multiple defenders and even create second phase play; then the outside men are going to have a field day – and is there anyone better at finishing off opportunities than our Fijian flyer, Semi Radradra?

We all know that athleticism pays dividends in the reduced format, but this is only what we as fans notice from the outside. The real aim of the game is to create and capitalize on space with the ball; and to limit the space and opposition possession when without it.

So without further ado, here is an individual guide to what your 2016 Auckland 9’s Eels squad brings to the table.

Mitch Cornish: Unless you’re a stranger to this site or pre-season training, Mitch Cornish has been impressive since joining the blue and gold. A very natural half, with an astute short-passing game, Cornish has the ability to put players through a hole at the drop of a hat. Do not be surprised to see angled runs from the likes of Ma’u, Moeroa, Tanginoa or Morgan off a Cornish pass, it may produce a few tries this weekend.

Bureta Faraimo: A power runner with strong leg drive, Bureta is a good finisher who if given enough space will capitalize on opportunities created for him. Expect to see him do some of the donkey-work when we’re under the pump and to use his strength close to the line.

John Folau: Folau has all the size in the world to be a force at this tournament and although his conditioning has come into question at times, he will attract multiple defenders every time he gets his hand on the ball. Look for a few power runs and attempted barge over efforts from John.

Bevan French: I don’t think I’ve ever seen an athlete as light on their feet as Bevan French. With pace and the ability to step, Bevan could leave Auckland with a profile that will make the rugby league world take notice and replicate the efforts of Steve Witt at the 2003 7’s. Just as our 9’s captain stated, I expect Bevan to be the biggest scoring threat outside of Radrarda.

David Gower: David Gower is just one of those players you love to have in your team. Everything he does is understated, but he does it effectively and it is certainly not undervalued by those who matter. We all know Gower has a great passing game (not just for a forward) and that he creates space around the middle of the ruck because of this; but it is his ability to hit, spin and offload that will be most effective in the 9’s. Look to him to generate plenty of second-phase play in the middle third.

Luke Kelly: After Kaysa Pritchard went down in last year’s tournament, Kelly assumed the hooking responsibilities and did so to great effect. Although not a natural runner, his darts and quick service created space for the halves and outside men. I expect him to play a similar role this year as back up for King and for when Cornish requires a spell.

Cameron King: The 9’s could shape as Cameron King’s audition for round one. Should he succeed, he may very well be our no. 14 off the bench. An attacking focused hooker with flair and speed out of dummy half, a lot of our success this weekend will be determined by his attacking options. Look for him to control the middle third and be partner in crime to Corey Norman within the Eels attacking structure.

Manu Ma’u: Manu Ma’u posseses everything you want an edge forward to have – power, strength, aggression, the ability break the line and offload. Expect Manu to be a target man in attack and a hit man in defence. He will run off Norman and Cornish all day, looking to offload before or at the line; and for opposition players to be on the end of his stinging tackles.

Tepai Moeroa: Tepai was easily our best forward at last year’s tournament. He consistently drew in multiple defenders and broke the line. Although he has been training as a middle forward during the off-season, I anticipate Moeroa to drift between the middle third and edges in attack and to control the ruck defensively – replicating his 2015 efforts.

Ryan Morgan: Morgan’s greatest strength is his line running. The halves and the attacking structures currently being utilized within training sessions are more conducive to this attacking style. Although I don’t expect him to be a focal point in attack, the 9’s could be the format in which we get a glimpse into Morgan’s finishing ability – he will be a strong presence in the defensive line when out there.

Cody Nelson: Cody Nelson could very well be the best technical defender in the 9’s squad. We all saw his effort in his club debut against St. George last year, but this man also has presence on the field. Fit and a very vocal player who loves to rack up the tackles, Cody will be a pivotal part in limiting opposition space when without the ball.

Corey Norman: The captain himself – and for good reason. His development over the last 18 months has seen him grow into a strong on-field leader – and what’s more, he loves the 9’s. Expect his pass selection to create space for outside men, kicks in behind the line to catch opposition defences off-guard and for him to provide plenty of line breaks/line break assists stepping back inside off his outside foot.

Junior Paulo: The beast – Junior Paulo as we all know is a man-mountain – his driving runs and sheer size will attract plenty of defenders and get us on the front foot at the start of our sets. If he can produce quick play-the-balls off the runs we know he will make, then we will be creating outside space at will. There may be question marks over his defence, but if we manage our interchange correctly, we will be able to negate this.

Semi Radradra: If ever a player was tailor built to play 9’s rugby league, it’s Semi Radradra. Speed, power, strength, great finishing ability…..you know what? We already know what he’s going to do – GO SEMI YOU BEAUITUFL THING! (Just don’t get injured!)

Kelepi Tanginoa: Kelepi has returned home in 2016 and with a point to prove. The 9’s will be his first chance to make a statement and if the training paddock is anything to go by, I think he will be a strong contributor in Auckland. Fitter and leaner, Kelepi looks to have returned as the strong angled hole running backrower that first made grade for the Eels. Don’t be surprised to see him poke his head through the line or be involved in plenty of attacking raids down the edges.

Peni Terepo: The hard-running Peni Terepo will again feature in the Auckland 9’s. His kamikaze style hit-ups will attract plenty of defenders in this format of the game, where pace and athleticism is king. If he can consistently produce the runs for which he has become synonymous for in the North Island this weekend, there will be plenty of beneficiaries from his work.

Vai Toutai: After missing last year’s tournament through injury, it’s good to see Vai back at the 9’s for 2016. Like Faraimo and Folau, he brings strength and leg-drive which will make him difficult to tackle and attract multiple defenders. The difference is, Vai is probably the fittest of the three and in my opinion a certain starter in the side. He’ll ruck us out of trouble with ease and will create the space for other finishers in the team, while scoring some tries of his own.

Matt Woods: Apart from French, Woods is the only other member of the 9’s squad not to have played NRL. Although likely to play some relief minutes for some of our more well known forwards, Woods brings a hungry work ethic to the table. In the U/20s for the Tigers in seasons gone by, he was renowned for his big output – averaging high tackle counts and runs for every minute he played – he’ll be no different when taking the field this weekend.

So there you have it Blue and Gold Army, a little insight into what each player brings to the 9’s; and how their individual skill sets will benefit us across the two-day tournament. Personally, I think Arthur has chosen a very well balanced squad that is more than capable of creating and capitalizing on space with the ball; and limiting the space and opposition possession when without it – and the reasons for his team selections are done with this in mind, without risking some of our higher profile players.

Whatever unfolds and however you view it, rugby league is back ladies and gentleman – and it doesn’t get more exciting than this! So I leave it to you Eels fans, now that we understand why certain players were picked and what they bring to the table, who do you expect to see shine in New Zealand?

Clint

Credit to the Parramatta Eels for all images used.

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