League: The standout selection of talent to keep your eyes on at Eden Park

Issac Luke. Photo / Getty Images

The success of last year's tournament has seen more stars descend on the Auckland Nines. David Skipwith and Michael Burgess identify nine who could stand out this weekend.

Jason Taumalolo

Club:

North Queensland Cowboys

Position: Back-rower

Nines experience: Played in last year's inaugural NRL Auckland Nines title-winning Cowboys side.

What can we expect? Barnstorming runs through the middle and on the fringes of the ruck. Strength, power and offloading ability will see him attract a number of defenders and his sharp footwork and acceleration should see him win any one-on-one contests.

Daly Cherry-Evans

Club:

Manly Sea Eagles

Position: Halfback and captain

Nines experience: Played in last year's tournament when the Sea Eagles failed to fly, winning just one of three pool games.

What can we expect? Together with his five-eighth partner in crime, Kiwis test star Kieran Foran, Cherry-Evans has the potential to run riot this weekend. He normally occupies the right side of the park but the fluid nature of nines means he could pop up anywhere.

Frank Pritchard

Photo / Getty Images

Club: Canterbury Bulldogs

Position: Back-rower

Nines experience: Making his first start in the short-form of the game after missing last year's tournament.

What can we expect? Frank 'The Tank' knows only one way and that's straight ahead, over and through would-be tacklers. He possesses great skills for a big man and will pose a threat with the ball. He can offload or put players through holes.

Isaac Luke

Team:

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Position: Hooker

Nines experience: None.

What to expect: A typical all-action display. Great playmaker from hooker and recognised as the best dummy-half runner in the sport.

Dave Taylor

Team:

Gold Coast Titans

Position: Prop/second row

Nines experience: Played two games last year before being injured.

What to expect: A 50m run down the wing was one of the indelible memories from last year's competition. The 122kg Taylor will be used to create havoc on the edge of the ruck and also likes a cheeky grubber kick.

Brett Morris

Team:

Canterbury Bulldogs

Position: Winger/centre

Nine experiences: Captained St George Dragons last year.

What to expect: The 28-year-old is one of the fastest men in the game, with an uncanny ability to find a gap. His combination with twin brother Josh will be one to watch.

Chris Sandow

Club:

Parramatta Eels

Position: Halfback and captain

Nines experience: Helped steer the Eels to the top of their pool group last year before they bowed out in the quarter-finals.

What can we expect? The unexpected! The 26-year-old livewire is capable of anything, including chip kicks inside the Eels' own half and running it on the last tackle. Will not shy away from his defensive duties and is capable of putting a big shot on players more than twice his size.

Benji Marshall

Photo / Getty Images

Team: St George Dragons

Position: Halfback/Five-eighth

Nines experience: Missed the inaugural nines (being on rugby duty with the Blues) but was a star of the 2004 World Sevens in Sydney.

What to expect: A little bit of everything. The wide open spaces will suit Marshall's free-wheeling game and he will revel in the crowd support. Apart from the Warriors, Marshall will likely be the most popular player at Eden Park.

Ken Nagas

Team:

Canberra Raiders

Position: Winger

Nines experience: None, but played in the League World Sevens between 1993 and 1997.
What to expect: Hard to know. As trainer for the Raiders Toyota Cup side, Nagas has doubtless stayed fit, although the 41-year-old would have lost a yard of his electric pace. His easy, loping running style is one of the standout memories of the 1990s Green Machine days.