It’s a new-look NRL pre-season as the NRL Auckland Nines signals the return of rugby league in 2014. Join us for live scores and commentary of semi-finals and final action from 3:45pm on Sunday, February 23.
Gone is the occasionally maligned NRL All Stars match (at least for this year), replaced with a two-day tournament featuring all 16 NRL teams, 256 players and a prize pool of 2.25 million dollars.
There will be four groups of four teams who will play each other in a round-robin style tournament, the top two from each group advancing to the quarter finals.
Each side will field nine players at a time, with nine minutes of football per half.
In addition to the reduced playing time and number of players, there are some other rule changes to keep an eye on.
The NRL Auckland Nines will introduce a ‘bonus zone’ with five-point tries being awarded in the in-goal area between the goal posts.
Additionally, games that are drawn at full-time will be decided with a ‘golden try’ period; goal kicks will not feature, instead replaced with dropkick conversions; and scrums will only take place in the event of double knock-ons or mutual infringements.
The lucrative prize pool has ensured a good mix of NRL stars will be on show, though some teams have named more experienced line-ups than others.
The Broncos, Knights, Sharks, Dragons and Warriors all look strong on paper, with most of their big-name players on board for the tournament.
Others such as the Storm, Sea Eagles and Roosters – normally NRL heavyweights – are missing key personnel, but will be looking to blood a few youngsters in time for the new season.
That said, a couple of legends will make their way out of retirement in the form of Brad Fittler (Roosters) and Steve Menzies (Sea Eagles), adding an extra element of interest to the proceedings.
With the home ground advantage and the likes of Shaun Johnson and Konrad Hurrell tipped to shine in this form of the game, the Warriors will enter as favourites.
In the end, though, this is the first time we’ve seen our favourite NRL stars competing in this format, and there will no doubt be plenty of surprise in store.
Who will take out the inaugural NRL Auckland Nines? Join us for live scores and commentary on Sunday afternoon from 3.45pm to catch all the semi-finals and final action, and be sure to let us know your thoughts if you’re following along.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Up the Cows! Finally a trophy we can hide all of the spoons behind. It was great that the team showed real grit in defence. Holding the Warriors scoreless was a true feat. Hopefully that same doggedness carries over into the season proper and we should go quite well. Now, what to spend the money on?
Adam
Roar Guru
So the Cowboys have won the inaugural NRL Auckland Nines tournament – definitely outsiders at the start of the tournament and even at the start of the day. Worth bearing in mind that had the Raiders not have beaten Manly this morning, they wouldn't have even qualified for the finals. They improved with every match and their defensive performances – both in the semi-final against tournament favourites the Warriors, and again in the final – were outstanding. Robert Lui, Antonio Winterstein and James Tamou all standouts for the tournament winners, along with Kyle Feldt who missed the final through injury.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Broncos 7 - Cowboys 16 The Cowboys have their first trophy!
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 7 - Cowboys 16 18' Last roll of the dice from Hunt as he kicks for himself, but Tamou gets back to clean the ball up and win possession for the Cowboys.
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 7 - Cowboys 16 17' Conversion successful from Morgan, that should put it out of reach for the Broncos.
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 7 - Cowboys 14 17' TRY COWBOYS! The Cowboys have scored off the kick-off through Curtis Rona with great lead-up work by Kane Linnett, and that may be the tournament!
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 7 - Cowboys 10 16' TRY BRONCOS! Epic defence from the Cowboys but they couldn't hold out any longer, Hunt bursting onto a ball from Thaiday and crossing in the bonus zone.
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 10 14' McCullough almost goes over from dummy half but again the defence holds out! And Hunt tries to go on the last but he's taken with a last-gasp tackle again – Cowboys are defending their line like they have 13 men! Cowboys regain possession... but Linnett loses it straight away! Scrum feed to Broncos 10m out...
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 10 13' Gillett is held up! He looked certain to score but the Cowboys converge and hold him up! More great defence from the Cowboys.
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 10 11' Cowboys defence again looking very strong, Broncos look out of ideas – Hunt goes VERY high, Rona slips over but somehow still manages to catch the ball! That was spectacular-looking from Rona! But Morgan is taken into touch by Gillett, Broncos with a chance to attack now...
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 10 10' Second half under way, Cowboys with first use of the football. Javid Bowen breaks down the sideline and looks to be in to score – but there's a touch judge's flag up in the background, he put his foot into touch! Jeez, there wasn't much in it, but the Broncos survive!
Adam
Roar Guru
HALF-TIME: Broncos 0 - Cowboys 10
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 10 8' TRY COWBOYS! Curtis Rona crosses in the right corner!
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 6 7' Nikorima spills it from the kick-off, but the ref says knocked back – not sure about that one! Lucky call for the Broncos and they have the ball – Nikorima with a bit of a nothing kick that is cleaned up easily by the Cowboys.
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 6 6' TRY COWBOYS! Lui releases Cooper down the left-hand side to make plenty of metres, and the Cowboys spread the ball right on the next play where Winterstein showed good footwork to beat his man and score. Kick is successful from Lui, that's a 6-point lead.
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 0 5' Thaiday, playing on the right wing, is away! He throws an inside ball – but he put a foot into touch, so it'll be no try. Never seen Big Sam that far wide!
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 0 4' Cooper tries kicking for himself but no luck, it's cleaned up by Gillett who makes some handy yards to put Brisbane on the front foot, attacking 40m out from Cowboys line...
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 0 3' Midfield bomb from McCullough takes a sharp left bounce and goes into touch. Scrum feed Cowboys from their 30m line.
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 0 2' Lui looking very dangerous, he tries to grubber for himself close to the line but he runs into a wall of defence and the Broncos clean it up, no penalty given. Broncos defended that well and have possession.
Adam
Roar Guru
Broncos 0 - Cowboys 0 1' Cowboys kick-off and we're under way! And the Cowboys drive Alex Glenn into touch on the very first tackle! WOW!