Auckland Nine's offical Tournament Thread

[Ray Stehr]

They weren't the reasons we lost. We lost because every time we were in the opposition's zone we either dropped the ball or made some other stupid errors, our tactic of playing it in the forwards and not throwing it around was bizzare to say the least.

[Guest]

Didn't help

[easts4eva]

Dunno about that mate, Badger was right on the spot to see Ayshford bounce the pill nearly a foot off the ground and still awarded the try. Had everyone scratching their head, 6 pts right there, what did they win by?
Lucky it's just a hit n giggle contest no real damage done.

[Jollyjock]

Dunno about that mate, Badger was right on the spot to see Ayshford bounce the pill nearly a foot off the ground and still awarded the try. Had everyone scratching their head, 6 pts right there, what did they win by?
Lucky it's just a hit n giggle contest no real damage done.

Still prefer not to be cheated out of a game of footy

[Jollyjock]

Dunno about that mate, Badger was right on the spot to see Ayshford bounce the pill nearly a foot off the ground and still awarded the try. Had everyone scratching their head, 6 pts right there, what did they win by?
Lucky it's just a hit n giggle contest no real damage done.

Still prefer not to be cheated out of a game of footy

[easts4eva]

Funny thing was on Saturday morning I told myself not to get to worked up about the 9s cause we'll get dudded somewhere down the line, then we won 2 games I got worked up and we got dudded....

[Thirteen]

Don't trails count as games?

[bondi paul]

Napa is bloody useless. His hit ups are horribly soft and his defence isn't much better. Apart from the big hits he is horribly slow in and around the ruck, which will be a major issue with this new rule change. And you can't blame Robbo for his stupidity in regards to coathangers and shoulder chargers, it's an attitude and discipline problem which you'd think a first grader would learn from.

Furthermore, you'd hope that McDonald would show more aggression if he was given the chance to play in the top grade. He obviously has a lot of strength and skill but he is awfully timid.

On a positive, Pearce was very impressive and he is definitely in for a big season. Maloney also looks good and JWH looks much fitter too. Why didn't Moa play?

Not sold on Napa - I could ran faster backwards than he can run forward - over rated over hyped

[John Corey]

Take a chill. It's a second grade team in a pre season comp.

Exactly what I was thinking. I can't believe the whining over a 9s giggle comp.

[bondi paul]

Exactly what I was thinking. I can't believe the whining over a 9s giggle comp.

Napa - no penetration or speed

[The Rooster Oracle]

Exactly what I was thinking. I can't believe the whining over a 9s giggle comp.

If it was such a nothing giggle comp, then why did two premiership heavy weight teams in us and $ouff$ try so hard to win it? Yes two premiership points weren't up for grabs, but good form in this tournament can put you in good stead for round 1.

[Guest]

I tell you folks Pearce & Adam Reynolds are going to go toe to toe for the Dally M this year.
I know NSW won the series last year after 8 years with Hodkinson as the chief & I do rate him but Pearce & A Reynolds are better than him.

[Guest]

Can't believe Souths just got handed million dollars for 2 days of work. Hope they get smoked in England!

[007]

Funny thing was on Saturday morning I told myself not to get to worked up about the 9s cause we'll get dudded somewhere down the line, then we won 2 games I got worked up and we got dudded....

Moral of the story.....don't get worked up on a Saturday morning. The other moral is - don't read too much in to a 9s tournament and never, ever think trial form is an indication of how a team will perform through the year.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Some reflections:

Love the tournament and actually prefer this to most club games.

Nines should go back to 7s ...faster, more attack and tries and skill, greater differentiation from the 13'a side game.

Sharks were phenomenal with the cattle they went with...shame they didn't get the cash.