http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2015/01/26/eels_name_auckland_n.html
Dyldam Parramatta Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur has today named his 18-man squad to travel to New Zealand for the 2015 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines Tournament.
Captained by halfback Chris Sandow, the Blue and Gold’s Nines squad features two of the Eels’ new recruits, in Brad Takairangi and Reece Robinson, as well as some new young faces like Kaysa Pritchard, John Folau and Halauafu Lavaka.
The tournament will be Sandow’s first appearance as captain for the Blue and Gold - click through to watch our interview and hear Sandow’s thoughts on the honour.
The Eels will take on the Newcastle Knights, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and St George-Illawarra Dragons in their pool matches as part of the Rangitoto Pool, with all matches broadcast live on FoxSports Channel 501 on Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1.
Click through to purchase your Eels Auckland Nines jersey!
Dyldam Parramatta Eels Auckland Nines Squad:
1. Will Hopoate
2. Semi Radradra
3. John Folau
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Reece Robinson
6. Corey Norman
7. Chris Sandow (c)
8. Junior Paulo
9. Kaysa Pritchard
10. Peni Terepo
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Joseph Paulo
14. David Gower
15. Kenny Edwards
16. Halauafu Lavaka
17. Pauli Pauli
18. Luke Kelly
Head Coach: Brad Arthur
Dyldam Parramatta Eels halfback Chris Sandow has been named Captain for the 2015 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines Tournament and the live-wire half says he was overwhelmed when he was chosen to skipper the team.
“I am overwhelmed actually," Sanow said.
"When Brad Arthur told me I felt some mixed emotions, but it’s a big honour."
“I know it is only a small thing, the Auckland Nines, but to be captain and lead the boys out will be an absolute pleasure”, he added.
Sandow is looking forward to the opportunity to return to the exciting two-day tournament fixture and the new Nines captain is quietly confident about the Eels' chances.
“The tournament is a real good brand of footy which is good for me. I like to play that brand of footy and I think we have a better strike than we did last year,” said Sandow.
“We went well last year but we have a real different squad this year and I am excited and things are looking really good.”
“We know how to play footy and I think the lead up to the tournament, the boys are just excited and for some of them, they are going back home to New Zealand, and they love it. It is a good credit to the boys and hopefully they put in over there.”
And while the Auckland Nines will be a fast paced, wide-open game with plenty of points on offer, the half remained humble about the impact he will have and preferred to give praise to his teammates.
“We have Semi, he has been training really well and he’s a really good runner of the ball. We also have Reece Robinson and I think ‘Reecey’ is probably the quickest in the club and we just have to give those boys early ball.”
“All the boys are excited and we can’t wait and it should be a good lead up to Round One to the season ahead.”
Replies
That is a bloody strong team for the nines. 1eyeds prediction about Lavaka may be about to come true. At least he will be given a chance to shine!
Vaka in Portuguese means cow so if he lives upto that reputation he could be slow as.
He said in another interview that it was only a gee up.
http://bit.ly/1CWCvtC
It's in this interview!
Notable omission is Morgan, very quick and elusive runner, must really be on the outer and thought some more of the NYC graduates may have been named. Almost all are fg players so club being serious about comp.
Ripper side.
Great show of confidence in Sandow as well to name him captain. He'll relish the role and have a great tournament.
I closed the discussion on mine as this one has all the information from the EPK.
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