Only three teams remain unbeaten after Day 1 of the Auckland Nines – the Melbourne Storm, the Manly Sea Eagles, and the Cronulla Sharks.
REPORT: EAGLES, STORM SET PACE IN AUCKLAND
The Storm claimed wins over the Eels and the Rabbitohs in the first day while the Sea Eagles defeated the Broncos and the Warriors, and the Sharks bested the Titans and the Dragons.
The Roosters, Broncos and Dragons all have winless records after the first day will the other ten teams in the competition have a win and a loss each.
Final scores
Roosters def. by Eels 11-14
Rabbitohs def. by Storm 12-18
Knights def. Panthers 15-14
Cowboys def. by Tigers 12-13
Warriors def. by Sea Eagles 12-15
Bulldogs def. Broncos 15-13
Dragons def. by Sharks 8-17
Raiders def. by Titans 15-26
The Auckland Nines are underway. Join The Roar for a live blog of the afternoon session right here from 2:25pm AEDT.
WANT TO LIVE STREAM THE AUCKLAND NINES? HERE’S HOW
You’ll see the following matches in this blog:
Sydney Roosters versus Parramatta Eels
South Sydney Rabbitohs versus Melbourne Storm
Newcastle Knights versus Penrith Panthers
North Queensland Cowboys versus Wests Tigers
New Zealand Warriors versus Manly Sea Eagles
Canterbury Bulldogs versus Brisbane Broncos
St George Illawarra Dragons versus Cronulla Sharks
Canberra Raiders versus Gold Coast Titans
Every side has played once so far this tournament, so this block of games should start sorting out which teams will be playing on Sunday evening and which won’t.
This will also be the perfect opportunity for each club to get some gametime into their youngsters, as fresh legs will prove vital as the tournament gets to the business end.
Predictions
Parramatta to beat Sydney: Semi Radradra should have a field day, and Luke Kelly could thrive under this situation. Don’t sleep on Braith Anasta leading the tri-colours to victory though.
South Sydney to beat Melbourne: South Sydney have sent over a very strong side, with Alex Johnston, Bryson Goodwin, John Sutton, and Tom Burgess among the NRL talent. They should have enough firepower to get over the top of an inexperienced Storm side.
Penrith to beat Newcastle: The outside backs will determine this one, but I’ll take Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Josh Mansour and Waqa Blake over Jake Mamo, Nathan Ross and Akuila Uate (Although, the Mata’utias may have something to say about that).
North Queensland to beat Wests: The Cowboys’ 1-7 reads like an NRL standard backline. This one could be a blowout.
New Zealand to beat Manly: The Warriors may just have the two best players in the tournament, as both Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Shaun Johnson should cause havoc no matter who they play against. Keep an eye on Tom Trbojevic though.
Brisbane to beat Canterbury: The Bulldogs haven’t sent any of their NRL backs over for this one, and that should see their demise.
Cronulla to beat St George: If there was ever a format made for Ben Barba, this is it. Jack Bird should also have some fun with so much space. Josh Dugan to be the best player for the Dragons.
Gold Coast to beat Canberra: The Titans just seem to have a bit more pace on their team than the Raiders, and pace goes a long way in this format. David Mead could have a big game.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
LADDERS WAIHEKE Melbourne Storm 2-0, +16 South Sydney Rabbitohs 1-1, -5 Parramatta Eels 1-1, -7 Sydney Roosters 0-2, -4 RANGITOTO North Queensland Cowboys 1-1, +15 Penrith Panthers 1-1, +15 Newcastle Knights 1-1, -15 Wests Tigers 1-1, -15 HUNUA Manly Sea Eagles 2-0, +6 New Zealand Warriors 1-1, +23 Canterbury Bulldogs 1-1, -24 Brisbane Broncos 0-2, -5 PIHA Cronulla Sharks 2-0, +20 Gold Coast Titans 1-1, 0 Canberra Raiders 1-1, -3 St George Illawarra Dragons 0-2, -17
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
So, Day 1 of the Auckland Nines has been played, and we're in for a very intriguing third round of pool games tomorrow morning. Make sure to join me for that in the morning, followed by the finals with Scott Pryde in the afternoon.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Gold Coast Titans 26 Canberra Raiders 15
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BZ TRY RAIDERS 17' Lachlan Croker runs onto a grubber for a try under the posts!! CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Raiders 15 Titans 26
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BZ TRY TITANS 16' That's the try of the day!!! The short kickoff is caught perfectly on the run by Agnatius Paasi, and he runs right over the top of Lachlan Croker. Now an offload to Nathan Davis for the try!!! CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Raiders 8 Titans 26
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY TITANS 14' The Raiders had no one within 20 metres of the kickoff, so the Titans get it back easily. Quick little kick comes through now, and it bounces perfectly for Shane Wright!! CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Raiders 8 Titans 19
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY TITANS 14' Bad error from the Raiders, and now there's no defence on the left side. Roberts just has a free run to the try line, and he'll score!!! CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Raiders 8 Titans 15
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
12' Great run from David Mead, as he gains about 20 metres for his club. Now they come to the right, where McQueen is just happy to run the ball forward. Right side again, and Bird gets an offload away to Leleisiuao, but he loses the ball. Raiders 8 Titans 9
offsider
Guest
Two less players might have something to do with it,plus there has been some blowouts.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY RAIDERS 10' Santo has a go at the line for the Raiders, but he's stopped short. Now they come to the left, and Sisa Waqa just dukes his man out of his cleats for a try!! CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Raiders 8 Titans 9
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
10' The Raiders not getting much going here, but a dumb penalty coming up, as Peteru just rips the ball out with three men in the tackle. Raiders 4 Titans 9
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
SECOND HALF 9' Another short kickoff from the Titans, but the Raiders will get this one off a knock on. Raiders 4 Titans 9
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
HALF TIME Gold Coast Titans 9 Canberra Raiders 4 Just getting news that Konrad Hurrell WON"T be charged for his knee-lift on Jake Trbojevic. Not sure what the judiciary were watching to be honest.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
8' The Raiders working it away here, as Vaughan takes a strong run. Now a kick comes in from Williams, but there's a penalty to the Titans for offside. Raiders 4 Titans 9
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY TITANS 7' Leleisiuao is held up again, but this time it's not on the last. Now the Titans go to the right, and Bird will score!! CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Raiders 4 Titans 9
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
5' Poor kick from Lachlan Croker, and now a penalty to add salt to the wound. Raiders 4 Titans 5
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
4' Great defence from the Raiders, as Leleisiuao is held up. Raiders 4 Titans 5
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
4' The Titans get the ball back on a short kickoff, and they'll go for back-to-back trys. Raiders 4 Titans 5
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BZ TRY TITANS 4' Very simple try, as Srama just goes short to Paasi for an easy try!!! CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Raiders 4 Titans 5
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
2' The Raiders' kickoff doesn't go 10 metres, so the Titans get another penalty. They'll start from the 20. Raiders 4 Titans 0