The Auckland Nines are just over two weeks away, with NRL clubs set to finalise their squads within the next week or so. Over the past few years, one highlight of the tournament has been the appearance of retired players.

Some of the tournament’s most memorable moments in its brief history have come from retired players, with Brad Fitler’s intercept try and Matt King’s extra-time tournament winner at the peak. As retired players become more popular at the Nines, which former player could possibly make an appearance for your club at the tournament?

2. Canberra Raiders – Alan Tongue

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Alan Tongue of the Raiders farewells suporters after the round 26 NRL match between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium on September 4, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

It’s hard to find a player any tougher than Alan Tongue. The former Raider’s captain once played with a nose so badly broken it had flipped around, a kind of leadership that could give a young Canberra squad a big advantage.

Playing at hooker previously in his career, the ruptured achilles suffered by Kurt Baptiste and Ricky Stuart’s need to rest star Josh Hodgson could leave the Raiders no choice but to throw Tongue into the tournament.

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