2016 Auckland Nines draw and schedule released

The schedule of the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines has been released ahead of the tournament’s third year to be held at Eden Park.

WANT TO LIVE STREAM THE AUCKLAND NINES? HERE’S HOW

Beginning on Saturday 6 February and ending on Sunday 7 February, the competition will run over a two-day period involving all 16 NRL clubs divided into four groups of four.

FULL AUCKLAND NINES SCHEDULE AND DRAW

Each pool is as follows:

Waiheke
Roosters, Rabbitohs, Eels, Storm

Rangitoto
Knights, Cowboys, Panthers, Tigers

Hunua
Warriors, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Broncos

Piha
Dragons, Raiders, Sharks, Titans

With last year’s grand finalists, the home side as well as the Bulldogs an the Sea Eagles, Hunua is my nominated group of death.

After drawing such a tough group, the hosts have identified that it will be difficult to progress through the group stage.

However, with new recruits Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke likely to make an appearance during the tournament, the Warriors will no doubt attempt to put some heat on their opponents.

Many other superstars have made it known that they want to play or return to NRL action on February 6.

Melbourne’s Billy Slater, who missed the majority of the 2015 NRL season to undergo surgery on his troublesome shoulder, has expressed his desire to play in his first Auckland Nines.

“I have always wanted to play a Nines tournament because I know it would suit my style of play”, Slater said.

“Playing breaks up what is otherwise going to be a very long and tedious pre-season for me”.

Each NRL club will name an 18-man squad for the tournament. The pool stage will consist of a round robin format, with the two top teams of each pool to progress.

Each game will be approximately 18 minutes in length, broken down into two nine-minute halves.

Additionally, the Australian Jillaroos and New Zealand Kiwi Ferns will be involved in a three-game series of nine-on-nine once again.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has expressed his satisfaction with the growth of the tournament and what it has achieved for not only Auckland, but for New Zealand.

“This home-grown event continues to attract the big name players and achieve big results for Auckland, generating more than $16 million for the Auckland regional economy in its first two years, and bringing tens of thousands of people to Eden Park for a huge weekend of action and atmosphere”, Brown stated.

While some teams have an idea on how their side will line-up in 2016, others are struggling following the departure of key players.

Notably the Sydney Roosters, who open the tournament in a mouth-watering match-up with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

See the full fixture for the Auckland Nines here.