The inaugural Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines will see the 16 NRL clubs competing for $2.6 million in prize money in a two-day blockbuster over February 15 and 16. While the individual 15-man squads are unknown at this stage, each club is committed to fielding 12 players from their top 25 squad, including at least one of their five highest-paid players.
So who is the one Wests Tigers player who is most likely to shine at the tournament? Have your say below.
Robbie Farah - The Tigers are second favourites for a reason, and it begins with the skipper who'll touch it more times than anyone else. Might have a point to prove too.
Pat Richards - 60-metre field goals. 60-metre field goals. 60-metre field goals. Did we mention how good this guy is at kicking field goals? The ex-Super League star is a natural try-scorer as well.
James Tedesco - Fresh from teaming with premiership-winning fullback Anthony Minichiello for Italy, it'd be good to see how much Teddy learned from The Count.
Curtis Sironen - Apparently his days as a playmaker are over, but those skills would certainly come in handy in Nines games when he'd probably be among the biggest blokes on the field.
Luke Brooks - No more Benji, and no more red tape. It's time everyone stops talking about Brooks and starts watching him. Get him out there!
David Nofoaluma - He's barely completed one season but we know this much – he can do quite a lot more than that spectacular aerial try-scoring effort in Campbelltown last year.
Marika Koroibete - Injuries robbed the Tigers' cult hero of playing time last year and a weekend like this would be the perfect tonic for another kickstart.
Adam Blair - It might be two years late, but that attacking spark he promised upon his arrival in Tigerland might just light up Auckland in the Nines.
