RLPA announces final squad for 2025 Nines Premier League

The Rugby League Players Association is proud to announce its final squad for this weekend’s 2025 Nines Premier League (9PL) tournament on the Gold Coast, as the team hunts for its first ever win in the format.

The RLPA squad for the 2025 9PL includes 11 new players and eight returning players, and will play at least four games on January 25 & 26 at Tugun Leagues Club. The tournament will be broadcast live on Kayo Sports.

The quest for the RLPA’s first ever 9PL win is highlighted by State of Origin players Matt Moylan, Aidan Guerra and Tyrone Peachey and an abundance of international players who have also represented Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, United States, and the Indigenous All Stars and New Zealand Māori.

The RLPA’s debut in the Nines Premier League in 2024 finished with the team winless in three games.

RLPA coach Tom Symonds spoke of the excitement building around the RLPA team heading into their second Nines Premier League campaign.

“This is a year of renewal for the RLPA team, where we will build on the foundations laid by last year’s inaugural squad” said the RLPA’s coach Tom Symonds.

“Proudly for the RLPA, our first fixture in 2025 is against the Arthur Beetson Foundation. Arthur was the founder of the RLPA in 1979 and we are privileged to play the foundation that continues with the incredible legacy that he left on our game and the country.

“We have recruited strongly for 2025, expanding on a team largely made up of tired, old middle forwards, to a team that actually now includes some backs who will threaten to make a line break.

“Despite minimal time on the training paddock, or in fact none, we’re confident 2025 is the RLPA’s time!”

Dunamis Lui is included in the squad as 19^th player.

The RLPA are in the BeforeYouSpeak pool and every side is guaranteed a Quarter Final fixture with the tournament split into the Trophy Division and Shield Division on Sunday afternoon.

RLPA 2025 Nines Premier League Fixtures

RLPA vs Arthur Beetson Foundation, Saturday January 25 at 8:25am (QLD time)

RLPA vs Port Moresby Vipers, Saturday January 25 at 11:45am (QLD time)

RLPA vs Reborn, Saturday January 25 at 3:05pm (QLD time)

RLPA vs TBC, Sunday January 26 at time TBC (Guaranteed Quarter Final)

Returning RLPA Squad Members:

Clint Newton
Tinirau Arona
Justin Horo
Blake Leary
Ben Hannant
Mitch Rein
Dunamis Lui
Chris McQueen

Debuting RLPA Squad Members:

Matt Moylan
Tyrone Peachey
Corey Thompson
Sione Mata’utia
Kevin Proctor
Frank Winterstein
Aidan Guerra
Chris Houston
Chris Lewis
Ricky Leutele
Korbin Sims

RLPA Coaching Staff

Tom Symonds (coach)
Keegan Hipgrave (team manager)
Morgan Te Oka (hydration specialist)
Joe Galuvao (hype man)
Donny Singe (moderate performance manager)
Aaron Booth (master tactician)