2017 Auckland 9s - New Faces - North Queensland Cowboys

In 2014 the Cowboys were undefeated champions of the Auckland Nines, and that was without Johnathan Thurston.

His inclusion for the 2017 tournament is a tribute to management at the Cowboys, who are putting 'the game' ahead of partisan concerns. With 278 first grade matches between them in 2016 this is easily the strongest NRL squad in Auckland, and new faces are tough to find.
 
Kalyn Ponga is still only 18 and this will be his first Nines. With two first grade finals matches under his belt however, nerves won't be an issue. Ponga knows how it feels to win and to lose on the biggest stage. With 21 NYC matches at fullback and two NRL matches on the wing, he could pop up anywhere on the field in Auckland.

For Gideon Gela-Mosby, this will be his second Nines tournament having played in and scored at last years' tournament. Gela-Mosby is already a seasoned representative, having toured England with the Australian Under 18 squad and represented QLD at Under 16 and Under 18 levels. With 44 matches in two seasons for the Cowboys' Holden Cup team, he won't give any ground to opposing wingers.

Forwards don't get many write ups prior to the Nines but it's hard to overlook Corey Jensen.  A solid 25 matches for one of the Cowboys' Intrust Super Cup teams Townsville Blackhawks in 2016 has been rewarded with a Cowboys contract, returning to the club where he played until the end of 2014. Two years playing against these men has toughened this Townsville-born front rower and built him up to a strong 104kgs. Corey has a range of skills with goal kicking also in his bag-o-tricks.