2015 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines GAME DAY THREAD

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Auckland Nines 2015: Nine young guns set to ignite the tournament and shake up the NRL

TOM TRBOJEVIC (Sea Eagles)
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Tom Trbojevic is set to be unleashed at the Nines. Source: Supplied

He’s been dubbed a future Kangaroo by Matty Johns, and has already had to knock back an offer to join the Bulldogs when he was chased by Des Hasler. That’s an idea of the talent possessed by this 18-year-old fullback being groomed to take over from Brett Stewart once the club legend retires. It will be fascinating to get a first look at how the young whippet matches up against fully grown men.

Go HARD Son !!
 
Top Five teams at the Nines
Dan Nicholls
– January 28, 2015

Being only the second edition of the NRL Nines tournament, there is still a feeling of the unknown as we head into this weekend.

Looking at the squads, it’s fair to say some teams are sending teams capable of winning the tournament, while others are sending squads to purely fulfil their obligation and return home injury free.

Although we will not see the likes of Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston, there is a plethora of first grade talent on show, and plenty of up and coming stars of the future.

The below are the five sides I believe will challenge for the title this weekend.

5. Brisbane Broncos
Star Player: Anthony Milford

Player(s) To Watch: Jayden and Kodi Nikorima

Runners up in last year’s inaugural tournament, the Broncos have named a side perhaps short on NRL talent but ripe with players who may set this format on fire.

Bennett named an extremely strong side last season while at Newcastle, and travelled with the intent to win it. An injury to star Jarrod Mullen may have scared him from naming the likes of Ben Hunt and Justin Hodges this time around.

Anthony Milford, if he fires, is a genuine chance to take out player of the tournament such is his elusiveness. The Nikorima brothers enter the tournament with huge wraps and may use this opportunity to press their claim for an NRL spot this season.

The Broncs probably haven’t named the strike power needed to go one step further than last season, however they will be one of the dark horses. The Sharks are favourites to top the pool and I see the Brisbane based side going through in second place.

$21 represents great value if you’re looking to back an outsider to shock the likes of the Warriors.

I get the feeling Bennett has named a squad strong enough to win it if good enough on the day(s) without taking too many risks. Milford is absolutely key here, and a good performance could provide a huge confidence boost ahead of the season proper.

4. Cronulla Sharks
Star Player: Valentine Holmes

Player To Watch: Jack Bird

The Sharks sent over the strongest side in 2014, looking to enjoy the financial windfalls on offer by taking it out. Although the fell just short of the final, they suffered injuries to Todd Carney and Paul Gallen, and never got going come NRL kick off.

This season the likes of Fifita, Gallen, Gordon and Barba have been not crossed the Tasman, but make no mistake, the Sharks will be amongst the big guns once again.

Led by Wade Graham, following an injury to Luke Lewis, the Sharks will be looking to unleash the likes of Valentine Holmes, Jack Bird, Gerard Beale and Nathan Gardner on the competition.

Saulala Houma may be the biggest and most imposing player taking part in the tourney, and he will be tasked with creating space for the Sharks quick outside men.

Nu Brown and Val Holmes tasted NRL action late last season and will be better for it, and I expect Holmes especially to be amongst the top players of the two-day event.

There aren’t many holes in the squad, and it looks far more sensible than the one selected last year. They should top their group and at least match their semi final result from last season.

3. North Queensland Cowboys
Star Player: Jason Taumalolo

Player To Watch: Tautau Moga

The defending champions look as though they are serious about trying to defend their crown, judging by the squad they named.

Taumalolo was an absolute revelation last season and is one of the most dangerous back rowers named to travel across the competition.

Tautau Moga should find plenty of space and may go close to topping the try scoring charts should the Cowboys venture deep into day two.

Probably haven’t named the strongest squad, but it’s very similar in terms of ability and attributes to the one the named last year, which did ok.

There was talk of naming co-Dally M medalist Thurston, however common sense prevailed as he is named to play the All Stars game in mid Feb.

It’s going to be extremely difficult to go back-to-back,but with the likes of Moga, Feldt, and Wright sniffing around for tries, they’re a shot.

2. New Zealand Warriors
Star Player: Shaun Johnson

Player To Watch: Matthew Allwood

For the second straight season the Warriors will start raging hot favourites to take it out after naming an incredible squad.

Shaun Johnson is the biggest draw card across the event and should go close to taking out player of the tourney yet again. Supporting him are the likes of Sam Tompkins, Ryan Hoffman, Manu Vatuvei and Simon Mannering.

Although they will trim their squad before kick off on Saturday, I think Matt Allwood will not only survive the cut but may be a shining light on the back of some amazing Warriors plays.

A very balanced squad, and one that is brimming with genuine NRL stars, I don’t see how the Warriors can’t at least match their efforts from last season.

Once again a sell out crowd will firmly back the home side and that could be the difference. Last season they were amazing but fell one game short of the final, failing to score in their semi-final with the Cowboys, who they beat the da before.

A very strong squad, huge home town support, and extra motivation of going at least one better than last season means the Warriors will rightfully start favourites.

1. Newcastle Knights
Star Player: Jarrod Mullen

Player To Watch: Take your pick of the Mata’utia brothers

Although they’ll start as equal third favourites according to the bookies, I believe the Newcastle Knights are the team to beat.

Not scared off by last season’s injury, the Knights have again named Jarrod Mullen to play. He looked the goods last year until his injury, and there’s no reason he can’t play even better this time around.

Also named are Sione Mata’utia, Dane Gagai and Jake Mamo, who will all play huge roles if the Knights are to steal the show.

Joining Sione are his two brothers, who will be using the two-day event to show off their skills and join their brother as NRL regulars.

Somewhat surprisingly they have named both starting NRL halves, although the did leave out Tariq Sims and Uate, which is a shame for fans.

The only concern I have is with the forwards. It’s unlikely, but if a game is tight and comes down to the forwards, they may not be able to match the likes of the Warriors and Sharks, however their back line will score PLENTY of points.

It’s almost impossible to ignore the $11 on offer for the Knights, who if they fire, will light up the competition. Mata’utia and Gagai will rival the likes of Johnson and Holmes for player of the tourney.



Read more: http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/top-five-teams-at-the-nines-16271/#ixzz3QBggjI52
 
Dummy’s guide to this weekend’s Auckland Nines.


PREPARE yourself for a carnival atmosphere and a turbocharged rugby league spin off that will leave you breathless.


From the rule differences, to the tournament format, the bookie’s favourites and players to watch — here’s our dummy’s guide to this weekend’s Auckland Nines.



KEY DIFFERENCES TO 13-A-SIDE RUGBY LEAGUE


Without getting too deep into the technicalities of the Nines format, the differences are fairly simple.

— Nine players per side on the field at any given time, as opposed to the usual 13.

— Nine minute halves — so the games are much quicker than rugby league’s 40 minute halves.

— Each club must nominate 14 players per match, leaving five players on the bench who can be used on an unlimited interchange basis.

— Scrums are comprised of five players on each side, rather than the usual six.

— Scrums are only formed after a double knock-on (or any other mutual infringement). When kicks find touch in general play the restart used is a handover.

— Five tackles per set, rather than rugby league’s usual six.

The Cowboys adapted best to the change in rules and format at the 2014 edition of the Nines.

— Referees may use a three (3) minute sin bin to penalise players, rather than rugby league’s usual 10 minute sin bin.

— Tries are worth four (4) points, except for when the ball is put down in the ‘bonus zone’ between the posts. Five (5) points are awarded for a ‘bonus zone’ try.

— Conversions are taken by way of dropkick and are worth two (2) points.

— A 25 second shot-clock starts when a try is signalled by the referee. If the conversion is not taken within the 25 seconds, it will not count and no points will be awarded.

— Penalty kicks at goals are taken by way of dropkick and are worth two (2) points.

— Kick-offs are to be taken by way of dropkick, other than at the start of each half, when a place kick is allowed.

— The try-scoring team kicks off, making a change over in possession more likely.

— Line dropouts must be taken within 20 seconds of the referee awarding them or a penalty will be awarded to the other side.

— In the event of a draw, the winner will be decided by ‘golden try’ in a maximum period of extra time of five (5) minutes for pool games. In finals, the game will continue until a try is scored and a winner is determined.

THE FORMAT


— The 16 NRL teams are split into four pools (Rangitoto, Waiheke, Piha, Hunua Ranges) comprising four teams each.

— The first stage of the competition is a round robin, with each team guaranteed three games — one against each of the opposing teams in their pool.

— Two (2) points are awarded for a win, one (1) point for a draw, and zero (0) points for a loss.

— The top two teams in each pool at the conclusion of the group stage qualify for the quarterfinals, with the teams that top their pool crossing over against a second placed team from another pool.

— This is where the knockout phase of the competition begins, with the quarterfinal winners progressing to the semi finals, and the semi final winners progressing to the final.


STAR POWER


To ensure the integrity of the competition, the NRL has ruled that at least one of the top five players on every roster must be part of that club’s Auckland Nines squad.

Each club must also select 12 players from their top 25 to be part of the tournament.

Among the big names involved in this year’s Auckland Nines are Anthony Milford (Broncos), Jarrod Croker (Raiders), Wade Graham (Sharks), Josh Hoffman (Titans), Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles), Will Chambers (Storm), Jarrod Mullen (Knights), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Chris Sandow (Eels), Isaah Yeo (Panthers), George Burgess (Rabbitohs), Benji Marshall (Dragons), Mitchell Pearce (Roosters) and Chris Lawrence (Tigers).

Throw in a bit of novelty — former superstar Ken Nagas is playing for the Raiders this year after 12 years of retirement, and following Brad Fittler and Steve Menzies who also made comebacks in the 2014 Nines tournament — and there’s plenty to keep you interested.



THE ODDS


Bookmakers TAB.com.au have the Warriors as $4 favourites to lift the silverware in the competition’s second year, with the Cowboys also considered a serious chance to defend their title, at $9 second favourites.

Just behind the Cowboys, you can’t split the Sharks ($11), the Titans ($11), the Knights ($11), the Eels ($11), the Rabbitohs ($11), the Roosters ($11) and the Sea Eagles, perhaps a surprise outsider at $13, despite the selection of superstar halves pairing Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran.

At the back of the field, the inexperienced Storm, who haven’t selected their big four (Cam Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich), are expected to battle the Raiders for the wooden spoon, with both sides posted at $34 to win the tournament.





THE CROWD


For the Auckland Nines think cricket’s T20. Full of short, sharp bursts, the Nines is aimed at opening rugby league up to new audiences and attracting a party atmosphere.

Almost 90,000 fans went through the turnstiles over the two days in 2014’s inaugural tournament and they made the weekend the success it was with plenty of colour, noise, signs, and the obligitary costumes and melon heads.

It would be a surprise if the crowd didn’t at least match last year’s effort, giving the young stars involved an early taste of what it’s like to play on the big stage.





I’M SOLD! HOW CAN I WATCH IT?


If you’re not one of the lucky ones who decided to cross the ditch for a weekend of fun in Auckland, never fear — the lounge room and/or the pub is your friend this weekend.

Tune in on Fox Sports 1 from 10am (EDT) Saturday and 9am (EDT) Sunday.
 
I've watched a little of rugby 7s and the winner will be the team who is smarter and better trained for 9s, not necessarily the one with big fast athletes. Whether Manly wants to devote much time and energy to training players in totally different structures - when our real focus is NRL - is highly debatable.
One of the premiership battlers will get a thrill out of winning this thing, such as Warriors, Titans, Eels.

seems like NRL.COM is showing the Nines @Dan
Watch every game of the Auckland Nines LIVE with the NRL Digital Pass

Digital pass not available outside Australia. Generally they put these on livestream.com for us expats
 
Just announced via email that Livestream.com are covering it, they must have been monitoring the site ;)
 
Probably just taking there time to upload the schedule given teh NRL has been quiet.

The Digital pass is locked to Aus, so the NRL would be crazy not to internet broadcast it overseas.
 
Got into Auckland this morning, got to Aotea Sq just in time to see the tail end of our guys. DCE was sensational with the fans. Mateo looking a lot fitter this season as well. Foran wasn't there, and a pic has poppe up of him chattin somewhere woh Shaun Johnson so I guess we will read in the papers tomorrow he has signed for the Warriors
 
And so the pointless weekend of season ending injuries is here. I just hope we come out with no serious injuries.
 
What is the quality of streaming on the digital pass like?

Is it worth my $90
 
Team P W L PD Pts
3 3 0 48 6
4 3 1 28 6
3 2 1 10 6
4 2 2 39 4
3 2 1 28 4
3 2 1 15 4
3 2 1 14 4
2 1 1 13 4
2 1 1 6 4
3 2 1 -3 4
3 1 2 0 2
3 1 2 -5 2
3 1 2 -15 2
3 1 2 -22 2
3 1 2 -36 2
2 0 2 -56 2
3 0 3 -64 0
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