NRL Nines fever has taken over my soul. Squads have been named, apparently there's some sort of kicking competition and people are blowing me up with 'yo bro, you wanna go Nines?' 

No, no I don't want to go to the Nines. Why? Well because I like to sit on my couch and read far too much into the on-field action, with my favourite NRL Nines past time being enjoying the plethora of low key kiwi lads on display. For a lot of these lads the Nines is their first opportunity to stake their claim for an NRL spot come round one, some won't even feature in the NRL this season which only intensifies their low key nature and for others this will be a bit of a leadership opportunity as they've already got NRL experience to their name and have been selected in very young squads.

Here's who to watch out for...

Brad Abbey

After leaving the Warriors for the Bulldogs, Abbey has been named in the Doggies' Nines squad as he tries to make a strong impression on coach Des Hasler. Abbey's path at the Warriors was blocked by the signing of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Abbey attracted plenty of interest from other NRL clubs, with Hasler winning the race for his signature. The Doggies don't exactly have spots up for grabs in their backline with Brett Morris, Sam Perrett and Curtis Rona forming a solid outside back trio, so Abbey's gotta get 2016 off to a slick start.

Reubenn Rennie

I've penciled Reubenn Rennie's name down in the 'must watch' category as the former Otahuhu Leopard, Howick College student and Melbourne Storm Under 20s player was scouted by the Storm at a young age and now joins the Bulldogs in search of an opportunity. Rennie is a solid unit, powerful and quick-footed, the perfect centre some would say and I expect Rennie to be a breakout star for the Doggies at the Nines.

Kalifa Faifai Loa

Moving to the Dragons after an up and down stint with Gold Coast, Kalifa Faifai Loa will be eager to make a good impression at the Nines, which suits Faifai Loa's style perfectly. At 26 years old, Faifai Loa's move to the Dragons has got to be a success and there's no reason why it can't as he's shown himself to be a powerful winger who's mastered the flying-try thing.

Tony Tumusa

Former Kelston Boys student in Auckland, Tony Tumusa has been earmarked by the Melbourne Storm as a future NRL outside back after upgrading him to an NRL contract. Tumusa scored 20 tries in 18 games for the Storm Under 20s last season and the Storm haven't been able to settle on another winger to partner Marika Koroibete, which leaves the door open for Tumusa to stake his claim.

Joseph Manu

After joining the Roosters Under 20s side from Tokoaroa High School in 2014, Joseph Manu quickly made an impression as a silky centre. Manu has since represented the Junior Kiwis and will be pushing for an NRL start at some stage this season, especially with Michael Jennings leaving the Chooks.

Sosaia Feki

Since debuting in 2013, Sosaia Feki has already played 62 NRL games and found some consistency last season getting through 23 games. Feki has formed a dangerous partnership with centre Ricky Leutele for the Sharks and with Feki returning to Auckland for the Nines, expect Feki to be one of the Sharks' most dangerous attacking weapons.

Kirisome Auva'a

Having got caught up in some drama which caused Kirisome Auva'a to miss a substantial portion of last season, Auva'a will be out to stamp his mark on the NRL Nines with South Sydney. Auva'a was a key player in the Rabbitohs' Premiership win and returns to Auckland as one of the Rabbitohs' most settled players with a starting centre spot all but in the bag.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Kiwi Dallin Watene-Zelezniak missed far too much footy last season and will be eyeing up some consistent NRL action which starts with the Nines. DWZ is a superstar in the making and NRL fans should already know all about the fullback/winger/centre who is still only 20 years old and has 14 tries in 26 NRL games.

Nafe Seluini

Since leaving the Warriors after being their 2010 NYC Player Of The Year, Nafe Seluini has spent time with the Panthers, Roosters and Burleigh Bears in Queensland's Intrust Super Cup with a move to the Sunshine Coast Falcons putting him in the shop window for the Falcons' parent club the Melbourne Storm. Seluini now gets his first opportunity to rock the Storm jersey and if Seluini can get his tenure with the Storm off to a good start at the Nines, there's a back up spot to Cameron Smith open for him.

Te Maire Martin

You all know the name, the name of the kid who has been dubbed the next Benji Marshall and was part of an intense recruitment drive by the Penrith Panthers to snap up the Junior Kiwis spine. Te Maire Martin was signed by the Panthers from the Tigers and the young half will/should light up the Nines in front of many friends and family who will make the trip north from Hamilton.

Zach Dockar-Clay

Recent Junior Kiwis teams have had Te Maire Martin in the No.6 jersey and Zach Dockar-Clay at halfback, with Dockar-Clay joining Martin at the Panthers from Parramatta. Dockar-Clay can play both hooker and halfback so it will be interesting to see what he offers the Panthers at the Nines, especially with Sione Katoa getting game time last season for Penrith.

Sione Katoa

The hooker in Penrith's Junior Kiwis spine, Sione Katoa got a brief taste of NRL footy last season but this came with Katoa playing more of a lock role than a typical hooker. Katoa is a stocky lad from Wellington who has been in the Panthers' system for a while now.

Manaia Cherrington

With Robbie Farah and Matt Ballin now at the Tigers, Manaia Cherrington faces a tough ask to build on an impressive start to his NRL career. This is Cherrington's third NRL Nines tournament, making him one of the Tigers' most experienced players and the classy hooker will be out to show coach Jason Taylor that he needs Cherrington some where in the game day 17 each week this season.

Lamar Liolevave

After attending Keebra Park High School and making numerous rep teams, Aucklander Lamar Liolevave made his NRL debut for the Tigers last season. The big second-rower will be interesting to watch in the Nines as he's a mobile lad with good footwork which could see him become a key weapon in the Nines as he pushes for more NRL game time this season.

Watson Heleta

For those who didn't know: any Wests Tigers kiwi prospect has probably come through Gold Coast's Keebra Park high school. Watson Heleta is no different to Liolevave, Te Maire Martin or Benji Marshall in that regard after making the move from Otahuhu, Auckland and Heleta has gone on to represent the Junior Kiwis in 2014 and 2015 as a beast of a centre.

Danny Levi

Wellingtonian Danny Levi has captained Newcastle's Under 20s side, he's been named in the 2014 and 2015 NYC Team Of The Year and last season he made his NRL debut and started the NRL State Championship final for the Knights against Ipswich, all before his 20th birthday. Levi is a small hooker which gives him some zip but don't sleep on how strong Levi is either.