Tomkins to shine in Auckland Nines

New English recruit Sam Tomkins and star halfback Shaun Johnson will lead a 16-strong Warriors squad in next month's Auckland Nines.

England's Sam Tomkins during a match

Warriors player Sam Tomkins. (AAP)

New signing Sam Tomkins headlines a 16-strong Warriors squad named on Saturday to contest the NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park next month.

He joins star halfback Shaun Johnson to provide a mix of skill, pace and try-scoring ability.

Tomkins has scored 144 tries in 151 games for Wigan, while Johnson has 28 tries in 62 NRL appearances.

Tomkins, 25, says the Warriors nines squad has plenty of potential.

"We've got a great team with a lot of speed, players like Tui (Lolohea) who has electric feet. It's going to be brilliant," said the England international.

Young tackle-breaking specialists Konrad Hurrell and 20-year-old Ngani Laumape were also named in a youthful squad that includes Glen Fisiiahi, highly rated Carlos Tuimavave and a trio of talented 19-year-olds in David Fusitua, Tuimolala Lolohea and Solomone Kata.

Warriors assistant coach Ricky Henry, who will be masterminding the Warriors' bid for nines glory, says the squad is looking forward to playing in front of a sold-out Eden Park.

Temporary seating for an extra 1600 fans has been added after the original 88,000 ticket allocation for the February 15-16 event sold out.

"We wanted to put a strong squad together and we've been able to do that with a group of players who'll give us plenty of skill and pace," Henry said.

In preparing for the NRL Nines, Henry said he'd consulted legendary New Zealand rugby union sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens and former sevens specialist Karl Te Nana for tips.

"I've learned from them about the way they prepared for the Wellington Sevens, which is similar to situation were in being the home team at Eden Park," he said.

Warriors: Jayson Bukuya, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Glen Fisiiahi, David Fusitua, Charlie Gubb, Konrad Hurrell, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Shaun Johnson, Solomone Kata, Ngani Laumape, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sione Lousi, Suaia Matagi, Dominique Peyroux, Sam Tomkins, Carlos Tuimavave.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world