An exciting Storm side will take to the field for the next week’s 2017 NRL Auckland Nines tournament at Eden Park.
Melbourne have today named their 19-man squad for the blockbuster pre-season tournament and there is plenty for the purple faithful to be excited about.
A blend of youth and experience will come together in a team that will be led by co-captains Young Tonumaipea and Kenny Bromwich. Bromwich will be Melbourne’s most experienced player with 72 NRL games under his belt.
Speedy winger Josh Addo-Carr will be one of four new Storm recruits set to make their first appearance in purple while established NRL players Cameron Munster, Cheyse Blair, Felise Kaufusi and Tim Glasby will also feature in the fast-paced showpiece.
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Craig Bellamy will be in attendance to oversee the team’s performance but will hand the coaching of the team over to assistant Jason Ryles.
In a testament to the Club’s development program, 11 of the 19 players have come through the Thunderbolts Under-20’s system. Current Thunderbolts players Brodie Croft and Scott Drinkwater have been named in the side.
Easts Tigers player Linc Port has also been given an opportunity to pull on the purple jersey through Storm’s partnership with the feeder Club.
Melbourne have been drawn in the Ragioto Pool against Brisbane, Newcastle and Wests Tigers and will play their first game next Saturday, February 4, at 12.15pm (AEDT) against the Broncos.
This will be the third installment of the annual two-day tournament and will consist of three group games before the finals are held next Sunday afternoon.
Storm 2017 Auckland Nines squad:
1. Young Tonumaipea ©
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Curtis Scott
4. Cheyse Blair
5. Linc Port
6. Cameron Munster
7. Brodie Croft
8. Mark Nicholls
9. Slade Griffin
10. Tim Glasby
11. Joe Stimson
12. Felise Kaufusi
13. Kenny Bromwich ©
14. Scott Drinkwater
15. Ryley Jacks
16. Jake Turpin
17. Dean Britt
18. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
19. Charlie Galo (19th man)
Storm's 2017 Auckland Nines squad is subject to NRL approval.
