The Auckland Nines are this weekend which means rugby league is back upon us for another season. We’re getting itchy feet here at The81stMinute and we can’t take it any longer. So our Head Writer Curtis Woodward has put together some fantasy Nines teams from NRL premiership teams 1998-2006.

Brisbane Broncos 1998
Allan Langer ©
Kevin Walters
Darren Lockyer
Gorden Tallis
Wendell Sailor
Brad Thorn
Shane Webcke
Tonie Carroll
Steve Renouf

Note: Hard to separate Brisbane 1998 and Brisbane 2000 with only minor changes to the two sides. Renouf and Sailor give the Broncos speed to burn with Langer, Walters and Locker calling the shots.
Score: 10/10

Melbourne Storm 1999
Brett Kimmorley ©
Scott Hill
Marcus Bai
Stephen Kearney
Tawera Nikau
Richard Swain
Robbie Ross
Rodney Howe
Matt Geyer

Note: Foundation skipper Glenn Lazarus misses out and Kimmorley captains in his place. A rock-solid looking team.
Score: 8/10

Brisbane Broncos 2000
Kevin Walters ©
Darren Lockyer
Gorden Tallis
Lote Tuqiri
Wendell Sailor
Brad Thorn
Shane Webcke
Tonie Carroll
Shaun Berrigan

Note: Everybody remembers how powerful and dominant this team was and it’s hard to go passed them in a Nines format either. Plenty of speed and forward muscle and a couple of playmakers in the names of Walters and Lockyer. And on a side note, every one of them represented their state and country.
Score: 10/10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWsjGCwwdXc

Newcastle Knights 2001
Andrew Johns ©
Robbie O’Davis
Ben Kennedy
Danny Buderus
Adam MacDougall
Timana Tahu
Matt Gidley
Steve Simpson
Bill Peden

Note: How about the backs in this squad? Hard to go passed a team that can surround Johns with Buderus, Tahu, Gidley, Kennedy and MacDougall.
Score: 9/10

Sydney Roosters 2002
Brad Fittler ©
Craig Wing
Anthony Minichiello
Justin Hodges
Adrian Morley
Craig Fitzgibbon
Bryan Fletcher
Luke Ricketson
Brett Mullins

Note: The Roosters have plenty of power here with Morley leading the way and you’d expect Fittler, Wing and company to have a field day on the back of it.
Score: 9/10

Penrith Panthers 2003
Craig Gower ©
Rhys Wesser
Luke Lewis
Ryan Girdler
Tony Puletua
Trent Waterhouse
Preston Campbell
Luke Rooney
Scott Sattler

Note: Speed to burn and a couple of big ballplayers in Puletua, Waterhouse and Sattler. The x-factor though is Campbell who would have shredded the Auckland Nines.
Score: 8/10

Canterbury Bulldogs 2004
Andrew Ryan ©
Sonny Bill Williams
Luke Patten
Johnathan Thurston
Roy Asotasi
Hazem El Masri
Braith Anasta
Brent Sherwin
Willie Tonga

Note: This side has power and plenty of skill including a couple of young blokes by the name of Johnathan Thurston and Sonny Bill Williams.
Score: 9/10

Wests Tigers 2005
Scott Prince ©
Brett Hodgson
Benji Marshall
Anthony Laffranchi
Todd Payten
Chris Heighington
Robbie Farah
Pat Richards
Paul Whatuira

Note: Not the biggest team as everyone recalls but can certainly move the ball around with the best of them. If the likes of Payten and Laffranchi can hold their own in the opening five or so minutes, the rest takes care of itself.
Score: 8/10

Brisbane Broncos 2006
Darren Lockyer ©
Karmichael Hunt
Justin Hodges
Brent Tate
Sam Thaiday
Corey Parker
Tonie Carroll
Shaun Berrigan
Darius Boyd

Note: Broncos legends Parker and Thaiday get the nod ahead of Webcke and Civoneciva. Plenty of utility value in this side including Lockyer, Hunt, Berrigan and Boyd.
Score: 9/10

The Auckland Nines gets underway this Saturday from 10.30pm AEST.
@woodward_curtis

Video Source: Youtube – Shocktroop93, BulldogDynasty