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Dyldam Parramatta Eels halfback Chris Sandow has been named Captain for the 2015 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines Tournament and the live-wire half says he was overwhelmed when he was chosen to skipper the team.

“I am overwhelmed actually," Sandow said.

"When Brad Arthur told me I felt some mixed emotions, but it’s a big honour."

“I know it is only a small thing, the Auckland Nines, but to be captain and lead the boys out will be an absolute pleasure”, he added.

Sandow is looking forward to the opportunity to return to the exciting two-day tournament fixture and the new Nines captain is quietly confident about the Eels' chances.

“The tournament is a real good brand of footy which is good for me. I like to play that brand of footy and I think we have a better strike than we did last year,” said Sandow.

“We went well last year but we have a real different squad this year and I am excited and things are looking really good.”

“We know how to play footy and I think the lead up to the tournament, the boys are just excited and for some of them, they are going back home to New Zealand, and they love it. It is a good credit to the boys and hopefully they put in over there.”

And while the Auckland Nines will be a fast paced, wide-open game with plenty of points on offer, the half remained humble about the impact he will have and preferred to give praise to his teammates.

“We have Semi, he has been training really well and he’s a really good runner of the ball. We also have Reece Robinson and I think ‘Reecey’ is probably the quickest in the club and we just have to give those boys early ball.”

“All the boys are excited and we can’t wait and it should be a good lead up to Round One to the season ahead.”

Click through to see the full Eels squad for the Auckland Nines

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