The North Queensland Cowboys had a good start to their title defence in the first session of the Auckland Nines defeating the Newcastle Knights by 16 points, though it was the New Zealand Warriors who claimed the biggest win of the session, 26 points better than the Brisbane Broncos.
Final scores
Roosters def. by Rabbitohs 13-14
Eels def. by Storm 4-14
Knights def. by Cowboys 12-28
Panthers def. Tigers 23-7
Warriors def. Bulldogs 34-8
Sea Eagles def. Broncos 11-8
Dragons def. by Raiders 20-28
Sharks def. Titans 23-12
The 2016 NRL preseason kicks-off today at Eden Park, with the first day of the Auckland Nines tournament. Join The Roar for all the frenetic action from 10:30am (AEDT).
CLICK HERE FOR OUR BLOG OF THE DAY 1 AFTERNOON SESSION
The Auckland Nines returns to Eden Park, with 16 teams vying for a massive prizepool of over $2.4 million.
WANT TO LIVE STREAM THE AUCKLAND NINES? HERE’S HOW
The Rabbitohs, off the back of a monumental season in 2014, defeated the Sharks in dramatic circumstances in last year’s grand final, after a clutch Valentine Holmes field goal sent the game into overtime.
This year, the Warriors once again go in as favourites, with the return of Shaun Johnson and the debut of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck likely to be the catalysts for their success.
The reigning premiers, the North Queensland Cowboys, are another team to watch, having picked a star-studded squad that includes Lachlan Coote, Michael Morgan, Kyle Feldt and Jake Granville.
The Nines is an early chance for fans to get a look at their stars in action, as well as the stars of the future to push their claims for a Round 1 berth. The likes of Curtis Rona and Semi Radradra have lit up Eden park in past tournaments, and gone on to be leading try-scorers for their club.
it is also a chance to see some old heads go round again; this year Jason Croker, Braith Anasta and Matt Bowen join their old teams for one last crack.
I’m tipping the Cowboys to ride the confidence of last year to Nines victory, defeating the New Zealand Warriors in the final. But there are plenty of other strong squads that could surprise the rest of the competition if they click.
Join us for the first day of the Auckland Nines, live on The Roar, and post your comments below.
2016 Auckland Nines Pools
|
POOL A (WAIHEKE) |
POOL B (RANGITOTO) |
POOL C (HUNUA) |
POOL D (PIHA) |
|
Roosters Rabbitohs Eels Storm |
Knights Cowboys Panthers Tigers |
Warriors Bulldogs Sea Eagles Broncos |
Dragons Raiders Sharks Titans |
2016 Auckland Nines match schedule
| Time (AEDT) | Match | Pool |
| 10:30 AM | Roosters vs Rabbitohs | Blue |
| 10:55 AM | Eels vs Storm | Blue |
| 11:20 AM | Knights vs Cowboys | Green |
| 11:45 AM | Panthers vs Tigers | Green |
| 12:20 PM | Warriors vs Bulldogs | Yellow |
| 12:45 PM | Sea Eagles vs Broncos | Yellow |
| 1:10 PM | Dragons vs Raiders | Red |
| 1:35 PM | Sharks vs Titans | Red |
| 2:25 PM | Roosters vs Eels | Blue |
| 2:50 PM | Rabbitohs vs Storm | Blue |
| 3:15 PM | Knights vs Panthers | Green |
| 3:40 PM | Cowboys vs Tigers | Green |
| 4:15 PM | Warriors vs Sea Eagles | Yellow |
| 4:40 PM | Bulldogs vs Broncos | Yellow |
| 5:05 PM | Dragons vs Sharks | Red |
| 5:30 PM | Raiders vs Titans | Red |
Carolyn Aubrey
Guest
Nice work Jack Aubrey
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
The action continues on the Roar here: http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/02/06/auckland-nines-day-1-afternoon-session-live-blog-updates/
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
That concludes the first round of Nines action. Every team has now had a chance to get a feel for things. The Cowboys, Warriors and Panthers are the standouts so far. The other games have been good contests where each side has pushed their claims. Their has been some great individual brilliance as their always is at the Nines and some teams fortunes rest on the one players. I can't see the anyone outside those top 3 teams being the champions, but their is a long way to go in this tournament.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Game 8 FULLTIME Sharks 23 defeat Titans 12.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
18' Time slipping away and the Sharks get a penalty and look to close it out Jack Bird goes through with some great strength and speed. The conversion is waved away but the Sharks win. Fulltime Sharks 23 - Titans 12
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
15' Some wild play from the Titans off the short kick-off with some soccer skills. They lose it a few tackles later. Mitch Brown breaks through straight up the middle and scores in the bonus zone. Conversions is good. Sharks 19 - Titans 12
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
14' Titans get possession off the kick-off through a drop-out. McQueen goes close. Bird then dives over with some space on the right. Conversion is good 12 all
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
12' Titans finally use some possession. They do well to spread it from one side to the other and David Mead scores. Conversion is good. Sharks 12 - Titans 6
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
11' Forward pass from the Sharks
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
10' Titans manage to come up with some magic, keeping the ball in the in-goal but can't get the try and the Sharks manage to get out through Barba. They then get he penalty
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Game 8 HALFTIME. The Titans looking to waste all their decent chances and the Sharks have made them pay. Good to see Barba getting a try with some pace. Sharks 12 - Titans 0
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
9' Sharks get the short kick-off. Fifita nearly scores but knocks it on Halftime
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
7' Titans wasting all their quality possession at the moment. They pay for it too with the Sharks scoring through Cleeland Another good conversion by Townsend Sharks 12 - 0
The Barry
Roar Guru
Go Benny Barba!!
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
3' Titans with a poor kick and the Sharks are out to the 20. Barba. Turning back the clock and he scythes through. Conversion good Sharks 6 - Titans 0
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
2' Titans get it immediately but turn it over in good field position. Now Sharks turn it over. A comedy of errors to start
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Game 8 Sharks vs Titans What can I say about this one? The Sharks don't look as strong as last year while the Titans have some quality. Greg Bird has grown his porn star mo out over the summer
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Game 7 FULLTIME Raiders 28 defeat Dragon 20 After a slow first half the tries came thick and fast in the second. The Raiders were hot and cold but if they can sure up some defence they could test other teams with their attack
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
18' Tries coming faster than ever. The Raiders score on the wing to give the match winning lead. Hoodoo. FULLTIME Dragons 20 - Raiders 28
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
17' Another try! What a try. Sam Williams with a superb offload to Lachlan Croker who scores a dubious try in the bonus zone. Dragons 20 - Raiders 24