2017 Auckland 9s - New Faces - Warriors

The Warriors will be led by Ruben Wiki, but he might just be outshone by a 20 year old prop forward who played 8 out of 24 matches last year in reserve grade rather than Holden Cup,  an 18 year old winger or a halfback who teammates simply call "Ata".

Ofahiki Ogden is 102 kg and 192 cm and has already had his head beside the men in New Zealand's Intrust Super Premiership team.  In the Holden Cup, as a regular starting 2nd rower, he averaged 136 metres and 24 tackles each week. Sadly we haven't been able to get access to the stats on his 8 senior matches, but his high work rate is likely to stand out in Auckland next weekend.

In those same Holden Cup matches, Ogden was joined by young Winger Lewis Soosemea who had to juggle high school and a league career starting on the first of many rungs. This tall but still lightweight winger carried the ball for over 100mtrs every week, which is not easy when you are the last on the line. He can run and step and will use any opportunity that comes his way.  

Ma'afoaeata Hingano is a halfback/ five eight with a huge future in the NRL. At Just 19 years old ‘Ata' played 18 reserve grade and 2 NRL matches in 2016.  Although still eligible for the u/20s competition he won't play any Junior league in 2017.  Although he has a great pass and step, his best qualities are his speed of decision making and maturity.

NRL Auckland Nines squads

NRL Auckland Nines schedule (AEDT)