Auckland Nines – Day Two Wrap

Day Two of the Auckland Nines, much like day one, certainly did not disappoint. The Eels ended the day with the coloured trophy, while home fans went home with their heads down having fallen just short in the final.

Below is a breakdown of day two, as well as my team of the tournament.

Star Side: Parramatta Eels

This one is obvious after the Eels crushed pre-tournament favourites the Warriors in the final to lift the trophy for the first time.

Across the park the Eels were magnificent, with Norman, Radradra, French and Tepai Moeroa starring in a side where no one played badly.

Although this will likely have very little baring on the season proper, confidence at the Eels should be sky high, especially considering the likes of Foran, Scott and Jennings were absent.

The Eels, after losing their second game to the Storm, had to win four straight games today which should have put them under pressure.

If anything they got better and better with each game, and ran out big, and deserved winners.

Disappointing Side: Cronulla Sharks

Despite losing Valentine Holmes in the lead up to the tournament, the Sharks entered as one of the more fancied sides, however bombed out in the group stages.

Eyebrows were raised when the team sheet was delivered and two of the Sharks best in Townsend and Lewis were left off, but that was only the beginning of the strange goings on.

The Sharks failed to show any sort of urgency throughout, even when the Raiders scored a try to take them above their opponents in terms of point’s differential.

Following their heartbreaking loss, neither Sharks staff nor players seemed concerned, and it was later suggested that the Sharks were unaware that they had been knocked out of the tournament due to the Raiders late try.

Pretty strange to think a side who entered day two with two wins and a +20 for/against could go out. Funny old game rugby league.

Team Of The Tournament: Corey Norman, Bevan French, Tuimasola Lolohea, Solomone Kata, Blake Green, Cameron Munster, Chris McQueen, Agnatius Paasi, Tom Trbojevic

Corey Norman was without a doubt the player of the tournament and had a hand in everything the Eels did across the two days. Bevan French topped the try scoring tally by a mile, and set a new single tournament record.

Lolohea was the Warrior’s best across the two days, while Solomone Kata was their star out wide. I don’t believe Johnson played well enough to merit selection in the official squad. I thought Hoffman and Kata were more influential.

Blake Green controlled day one with his kicking game and would have made the side if the Storm had made the final. He was the one most responsible for the Storm’s charge, so he makes my side. Cameron Munster was in the running to win player of the tournament until his injury.

Chris McQueen had an absolute blinder and was the second rower of the tournament by a fair way. Agnatius Paasi was the best big man across the tournament and literally did everything. Both would have given the Titans a fair bit to get excited about.

Tommy Turbo had a blinding two-day campaign also, and surely cemented his place in the Sea Eagles side, if he hadn’t already. This kid is special.

Breakout Stars of the Tournament

Bevan French – Eels

The tournament’s top try scorer with eight, Bevan French made a huge name for himself over the past two days in Auckland.

Prior to Saturday’s kick off, the most tries scored in the nines had been five, meaning French smashed the previous mark. He now holds it by two tries over teammate Semi Radradra who scored six.

Lightning speed, fancy footwork and an eye for the line, you’d have to imagine French is now firmly in the thinking for a spot out wide.

Gideon Gela-Mosby - Cowboys

Talking of speed, this kid has it in spades. Blunted in day two of the tournament, his day one will long be remembered, as he scored four tries in his side’s opening two games.

How different it could have been both for player and team if he had been given more ball.

He may find it difficult to break into the premiers round one line-up, but first grade footy isn’t far away.

Other Thoughts:

- I cannot believe that the Warriors risked Shaun Johnson in the final minutes of the final. He had a noticeable limp and the game looked gone, but the home side through their main man back into the action.

- It’s funny how many fans on social media referred to the nines as a “Mickey Mouse” competition AFTER their side was eliminated. Any fan who says they didn’t want their side to go well is lying. It’s only natural that you hope your side wins any contest, even in the pre-season.

- If the reports of the Sharks not knowing the table situation are true, serious questions need to be asked. Yes it’s only a pre-season tournament, but if no one on the Sharks bench realised that they needed a point to advance in that final set, then I really hope they have someone who can add and subtract added to the coaching staff quickly.