2017 Auckland 9s - New Faces - Gold Coast Titans

Some people, lovers of rugby league all, think the Auckland Nines are a waste of time.

Tell that to 25-year old NZ-born Agnatius Paasi, who burst out of last year's tournament as the best performed forward at the competition. Like Bevan French at the Eels, Paasi went from unknown to well-known in a few 18 minute matches. This year he is too valuable for the Titans to risk. Although the Titans have sent Jarryd Hayne and Ryan James, they lead another batch of mostly unknown players in the quest to take home the Nines trophy.

Titans' 2017 recruit Daniel Vidot is an experienced outside back with 117 first grade matches and 10 Tests for Samoa. After three years with Canberra, two at St George and two at Brisbane, Vidot was lured to Super League team Salford Devils. This time last year he injured a shoulder in training and missed most of the season.  Auckland will be a chance for Daniel to step back into the fast lane of the NRL.

At just 19 years old Max King is already a highly motivated rugby league giant. At 103kgs and 190cm, King is a front rower on the make. As a West Maitland junior he's already played for the North Sydney Bears and Newcastle Knights prior to joining the Titans. In 2016 he played 24 NYC matches and ran the ball almost 3000 metres while averaging just 60 minutes game time.

Hayden Schwass is a new Titans second rower. Growing up on the Gold Coast he played all 25 matches for the competition-winning Burleigh Bears in 2016 after graduating from the Titans NYC program. The 21 year old electrician was known as the quiet achiever of the Bears outfit. He weighs in at 95kgs, standing 185cm tall, and is recognised by team mates as a tackling machine.