Eight NRL teams including local favourites the New Zealand Warriors and reigning NRL premiers the North Queensland Cowboys will progress through to the finals of the Auckland Nines after the morning session of Day 2.
The quarter-finals will be:
Parramatta Eels versus Newcastle Knights
Melbourne Storm versus North Queensland Cowboys
New Zealand Warriors versus Canberra Raiders
Gold Coast Titans versus Manly Sea Eagles
Final scores
Sydney Roosters 26 defeat Melbourne Storm 7
Parramatta Eels 24 defeat South Sydney Rabbitohs 11
Newcastle Knights 21 defeat Wests Tigers 16
North Queensland Cowboys 15 defeat Penrith Panthers 11
Canterbury Bulldogs 14 defeat Manly Sea Eagles 8
New Zealand Warriors 15 defeat Brisbane Broncos 8
Gold Coast Titans 24 defeat St George Illawarra Dragons 12
Canberra Raiders 18 defeat Cronulla Sharks 6
Day 1 of the Auckland Nines brought some fantastic football, but Day 2 promises to be even better as all 16 clubs jostle for a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:35am AEDT.
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Day 1 saw some big upsets as the Warriors, Cowboys and Panthers all took unexpected losses. There were some fantastic offensive performances, as well as some standout defensive performances.
Day 2’s morning session promises to be an exciting session, with just about every club in for a chance at the quarter-finals.
Day 2 starts with this schedule:
Sydney Roosters versus Melbourne Storm
South Sydney Rabbitohs versus Parramatta Eels
Newcastle Knights versus Wests Tigers
North Queensland Cowboys versus Penrith Panthers
Canterbury Bulldogs versus Manly Sea Eagles
New Zealand Warriors versus Brisbane Broncos
St George Illawarra Dragons versus Gold Coast Titans
Canberra Raiders versus Cronulla Sharks
Predictions
Storm to beat Roosters: The Storm started the Nines with a bang, winning their first two clashes against the Eels and the Rabbitohs. With Blake Green performing well on Day 1, he stands as a key figure in this clash. On the other hand, the Roosters took two heartbreaking losses on Day 1, and their tournament is effectively over.
Eels to beat Souths: Corey Norman has potentially been the player of the tournament to this point, despite the fact that the Eels stand at 1-1. The Rabbitohs share that record, so the winner of this game will move on to the quarter-finals. I’ll take the Eels.
Knights to beat Tigers: The Knights pulled off a massive upset on Day 1, taking care of the North Queensland Cowboys to get their first win. Although they were touched up by the Panthers in their first match, a win in this one would see them through to the knockout stages. The Tigers also had a good win over the Panthers, but their defence was incredibly suspect against the Cowboys.
Cowboys to beat Panthers: Lightning won’t strike twice, and this team won’t fail to score 20 points again this tournament. With Johnathon Thurston their only regular 1-7er missing from this tournament, the Cowboys should have the goods to go all the way.
Sea Eagles to beat Bulldogs: The Bulldogs only just hung on for their win on Day 1, almost letting a 15-point lead slip away against the Broncos. On the other hand, the Sea Eagles toughed out two good wins over the Broncos and the Warriors, and despite the losses of Jamie Buhrer and Jake Trbojevic, should have the goods in this one.
Warriors to beat Broncos: The Broncos seemed to run with a ‘halves pairing’ of Sam Thaiday and Adam Blair on Day 1, and it didn’t work. They struggled to score points in both their Day 1 match-ups, although they were competitive in both. The Warriors should be on another level however.
Titans to beat Dragons: Agnatius Paasi pulled off the play of the day in the last three minutes of yesterday, and he’s had an extremely good tournament so far. If he can continue his hot form, the Titans could be extremely hard to beat.
Sharks to beat Raiders: The Sharks were a little lucky to get their second win yesterday (see Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa’s disallowed try), but they still have a very good side. The Raiders gave up points in bunches against the Titans in their second game, and I’m not convinced they have the ability to stop the Sharks putting up a lot of points in this one.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:35am AEDT.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Joel, Set for a cracking afternoon of Nines! Well done on the call.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
We're straight into the Quarter Finals, so head over to this link (http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/02/07/auckland-nines-finals-live-blog-updates/) to follow Scott Pryde's commentary of the finals. Thanks for joining me for the morning session.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
So, you're Quarter Final schedule looks something like this: Parramatta Eels vs. Newcastle Knights Melbourne Storm vs. North Queensland Cowboys New Zealand Warriors vs. Canberra Raiders Manly Sea Eagles vs. Gold Coast Titans.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Canberra Raiders 18 Cronulla Sharks 6 FINAL LADDER Gold Coast Titans 2-1, +12 Canberra Raiders 2-1, +9 Cronulla Sharks 2-1, +8 St George Illawarra 0-3, -29 So, a big upset in the final game, as the Sharks blow it big time in their 12 point loss.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
17' Little chip through from Paulo, but it's been dropped by Beale. That should do it. Raiders 18 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY RAIDERS 16' Another great move to the right for the Raiders, and they'll score through Williams!!! They're a chance at qualifying now. CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Raiders 18 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
15' Good offload from Tagataese, and it's opened up on the left side, but the ball goes to ground!! Wasted opportunity. Raiders 14 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
13' The Raiders have a chance to put the game away here, and now a penalty against the sharks. Quick tap is taken by Williams, but the Sharks are equal to it. Croker now with a pretty good run up the middle, and the'll spread right off it. Great ball and all tackle from Jack Bird though, and the Sharks survive. Raiders 14 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY RAIDERS 11' The Raiders spread quickly to the right, and Brenko Lee sends Jordan Rapana away!!! CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Raiders 14 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
11' Barba just got smashed by Kurt Baptiste, and he loses the ball. That was a huge hit. Raiders 8 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
10' Penalty to the Sharks here, as the Raiders were offside on a kick chase. Raiders 8 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
9' Sharks are threatening early here, and now a knock on against the Raiders, but its' been called play on. Santo is now away, but the Sharks will pull him down, so there will be no controversy from this one. Raiders 8 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
HALF TIME Canberra Raiders 8 Cronulla Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
8' Baptiste has the ball stolen from him by Cleeland, but the Sharks can't take advantage of the extra possession. Raiders 8 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
8' The Raiders making metres here, and now Williams is away. He loses the ball, but they've called a knock on on the Sharks. Raiders will get another set. Raiders 8 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
7' Barba goes for a cross field kick, but is has a little too much on it. Would have worked otherwise. Raiders 8 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
6' Rapana pulls in the kickoff, and he goes on a searching run for the Raiders. Now Ottio has a go, but he's pulled down short. Zac Santo has a go from dummy-half, and he's over the line, but he must have lost the ball. Raiders 8 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY RAIDERS 5' Raiders making good ground here, but Rapana is chopped down well. Now they come to the right side, where Zac Santo will score off a great offload!!! CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Raiders 8 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY SHARKS 3' Tagataese runs into a massive gap off an offload from Paulo, and he'll score right next to the posts!! CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Raiders 4 Sharks 6
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
2' Penalty goes to the Sharks, so they'll get a great opportunity to hit back. Raiders 4 Sharks 0