| Time | Game | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5:40 PM | Quarter-final 1 Eels vs Knights | 14-7 |
| 6:05 PM | Quarter-final 2 Panthers vs Dragons | 14-17 |
| 6:30 PM | Quarter-final 3Titans vs Sea Eagles | 24-0 |
| 6:55 PM | Quarter-final 4 Cowboys vs Rabbitohs | 20-6 |
| 7:20 PM | Broncos vs Warriors NRLW | 25-4 |
| 7:45 PM | Dragons vs Roosters NRLW | 13-14 |
| 8:20 PM | Semi-final 1- Dragons vs Eels | 8-6 |
| 8:45 PM | Semi-final 2 - Titans vs Cowboys | 8-19 |
| 9:25 PM | Women’s final - Broncos vs Dragons | 4-28 |
| 10:00 PM | Final Cowboys vs Dragons | 23-14 |
The rugby league season is finally on its way with the NRL Nines reaching its crescendo tonight at HBF Park in Perth. Yes, it’s the finals with the NRL and the NRLW about to crown a winner. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:40pm (AEDT).
February is an optimistic time for NRL supporters. Before the season, everyone can be bright about their team’s chances of going all the way to the big dance. It’s only later on when most of us turn our attention to next year.
The NRL Nines can tell us much or tell us little about the season, depending on whether your team wins. Supporters of the winning club will see this a sure sign of things to come. Everyone else will see it as nothing at all reflective of the larger version starting in a few weeks.
The truth, of course, is probably somewhere in between and if we treat the Nines as a bit of entertainment over the weekend, we are probably on the right track.
One attraction of this weekend is that both the NRL and NRLW teams will feature. We’ll start with the quarter-finals tonight and finish up with the grand finals back to back.
Prediction
The Nines is a difficult format to pick, especially with some of the more fancied premiership sides picking less experienced squads. Ex-Sydney Swan Nick Davis will get a run for the Roosters.
I think there’s a fair chance of a Broncos quinella. Brisbane’s NRLW team are the benchmark of that competition. Any team with Ali Brigginshaw running the show will go close. If there is an upset, I think it will be the Dragons with Isabelle Kelly coming over from the Roosters.
For the men, it will be difficult for teams to contain the likes of Payne Haas, David Fifita and Anthony Milford. Fifita was sensational in this format late last year and I expect to see that again.
Of the other teams, Parramatta, Penrith and Cronulla are probably the ones to watch, all assembling strong squads. Shaun Johnson, at his best, is just about the best Nines player in the world and he will be looking for a strong start to quieten his critics.
But, for me, it’s a Broncos quinella.
When: 5:40pm (AEDT)
Where: HBF Park, Perth
TV: Fox League
Online: NRL Live, Foxtel app or Foxtel now
Betting favourites: NRLW Brisbane Broncos $2.25, NRL Parramatta Eels $5.50
Rob
Guest
Yippee. Great boast for the boys and club financially. It will help pay for some fireworks when they open the new Stadium. It’s only 9’s and as much as some clubs didn’t risk playing their best line ups we will certainly enjoy the win up here. Our kids are always competitive at a National Level in touch. A lot is said from the South that the Cowboys don’t have good depth and are country bumpkins with little prospect against the big establishments to be a force in the competition. I think the talent is a lot stronger than you realise and many are playing for other teams. They unearthed a few more again this weekend without some of established players also being involved.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for following the call tonight. Can't wait for the real thing to start in a few weeks time. Rugby league is back. Enjoy the rest of your weekend
David Holden
Roar Guru
The trophy has been presented by Wayne Pearce and its celebration time for the Cowboys
Nat
Roar Guru
Has he out-played Clifford for the starter half spot with Morgan?
David Holden
Roar Guru
Jason Taumalolo, as Nines captain, is saying a few words
Joe
Roar Rookie
He has been outstanding! Thanks for the call David.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The medals are now being presented to the Cowboys players
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Bit of a show pony though. Don’t know that he had to kick for that try ;)
David Holden
Roar Guru
Player of the Tournament goes to Scott Drinkwater and, to be honest, that's not a surprise. He has been huge over this tournament
David Holden
Roar Guru
The North Queensland Cowboys were well deserved winners over the Dragons tonight. Its hard to get a read on how Nines form translate to the bigger game but Drinkwater and Clifford were seriously impressive in the halves tonight, with Taumalolo strong and Tabuai-Fidow a complete revelation on the wing
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks a lot for your calls, David, well done. How good is it to have some local rugby league played again - no matter what variety!
Joe
Roar Rookie
Surely Tabuai-Fidow gets man of the tournament. At 18 years old he is a freak!
Joe
Roar Rookie
Really glad the Cowboys won this. They were the best side in the tournament....just well balanced in the forwards and backs. Add the superstar in the making winger and they were unstoppable! Not to mention the Dragons got in off a bad call.
Coastyboi
Guest
Go the ‘Boys! Giving the Dragons a good milking here. Ol’ Dan Murphy’s celebratory cask wine will be sold out tonight! Party on Townsville.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT It's all over and the Cowboys have won 23-14 in the NRL Nines Final Cowboys 23 Dragons 14
Nat
Roar Guru
Well done boys.
David Holden
Roar Guru
18' Ravalawa makes a break down the right edge. Saab is taken high so the Dragons get a late penalty Cowboys 23 Dragons 14
Joe
Roar Rookie
OMG! This guy is unstoppable on the wing! Speed and skills.....was saying that hopefully this tournament would unearth another JAC and boy has this guy delivered.
David Holden
Roar Guru
17' TRY COWBOYS He has to play first grade. Tabuai-Fidow makes a break down the sideline, kicks forward and scores. Cowboys 23 Dragons 14
David Holden
Roar Guru
16' TRY DRAGONS Aitken with a sidestep. The kick goes through from Hunt, Kerr has chased it through and scored. Conversion successful Cowboys 19 Dragons 14