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Will NRL teams start training for the nines?
Daniel Nichols
Roar Guru
7th November, 2014
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The Nines starts tomorrow, which means the real fireworks are less than a month away! (Photo: www.photosport.co.nz)
Daniel Nichols
Roar Guru
7th November, 2014
8

With the Auckland nines entering its second season, it’s possible that clubs will begin specialist training for the tournament considering the prize money on offer.

Last season’s tournament was a big success, with some amazing football being played, and a number of future stars showing their talents.

With this not being a World Cup year, and being the second year of the competition, most teams will take the 2015 edition far more seriously.

The prestige of the winners’ trophy may be enough to motivate some teams. The Cowboys were able to deliver the club’s first trophy with their victory, and the Sharks and Warriors would love to end their trophy drought. The nines could provide a perfect opportunity.

If holding up the multi-coloured wave is not enough motivation for clubs, surely the hundreds of thousands of dollars on offer are.

More star players are bound to turn up this season, and teams that are unlikely to feature come finals time will dedicate time to training for the competition.

Players revealed they spent a small amount of time preparing for the tournament last season, with most not really knowing what to expect.

Without any malice, it’s safe to state that the Raiders and Titans probably aren’t going to win the NRL premiership in 2015. They just don’t have the squads, and are works in progress. However, if they send strong sides to Auckland, they could very well win the major prize.

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The Sharks cop endless barbs regarding the fact the 1979 Amco Cup remains their only trophy, a few minor premierships and lower grade titles aside.

Although the nines trophy carries about a hundredth the importance of the Provan-Summons, it would provide a moral boost to whichever side lifts it in early February.

The Cowboys had a brilliant 2014 season. Whether or not the Auckland victory had anything to do with the success is up for debate, but it certainly didn’t hurt.

Most sides will again be made up of fringe reserve graders and NSW/Queensland Cup players, so I can’t see any real harm in spending a session or two a week preparing for the tournament.

The fact the nines finishes on the first day of February means there is a full month between the end of the two-day tournament and the start of the NRL competition proper.

I don’t see any side dedicating full days of training to the nines, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see some teams dedicating the odd extra session to running some plays with a view to the last day of January.

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