Auckland Nines

[Allora]

The Auckland Nines are on this weekend.

The Teams have been announced.

http://www.nrl.com/2016-downer-nrl-auckland-nines-official-squads/tabid/10874/newsid/91563/default.aspx

[Harrigan]

And as always, the Dogs will crash out with 3 losses and maybe 2 total tries. I'll still stay up to watch though.

My first Nines in the UK too. It'll be weird it being through the night instead of being sat in the pub watching

[Allora]

And as always, the Dogs will crash out with 3 losses and maybe 2 total tries. I'll still stay up to watch though.

My first Nines in the UK too. It'll be weird it being through the night instead of being sat in the pub watching

You come home Harrigan?

I thought it was a holiday or something.

[MattSantos]

 

 

 

 

One of the benefits of living in Asia... Full weekend in the pub now. Result.

 

Then the Superbowl at 07:30 on Monday.

[RabbitRhinoovOZ]

Home team to win this one and I'll say it'll be against Penrith. Also interested in the No.13 for the chooks Nat Butcher , Was a good kid at Souths.

[roughyedspud]

The warriors should walk it

[Futtocks]

Looking forward to it, although the UK times mean I may have to watch a lot of it on catch-up.

 

They've scheduled the 2nd and 3rd women's games pretty close together.

[Allora]

The warriors should walk it

 

Many said that last year and they failed to make the Semi's

[Allora]

The Broncos, Parramatta, Penrith and the Roosters look like they could be contenders

[Dunbar]

Looking forward to it (one of the benefits of having a two and half year old who thinks 6.00am on a Saturday and Sunday is an acceptable time to wake up is the new NRL season!)

 

Warriors, Roosters and Cowboys look to have the strongest squads to me.

[Lounge Room Lizard]

Cowboys and Warriors my Favourites. The rest look to have lack of strength in depth. Good to see how some of the young guns go. 

[Futtocks]

Cronulla have dropped Valentine Holmes from their Nines squad for disciplinary reasons, and he has also been given a one year ban from representing Queensland. He broke curfew at a Emerging Origin camp and was involved with an incident with the police getting involved.

 

Very stupid of him. And he also looked very good in last year's Nines.

[roughyedspud]

Many said that last year and they failed to make the Semi's

Ive said it every year lol

[roughyedspud]

Cronulla have dropped Valentine Holmes from their Nines squad for disciplinary reasons, and he has also been given a one year ban from representing Queensland. He broke curfew at a Emerging Origin camp and was involved with an incident with the police getting involved.

Very stupid of him. And he also looked very good in last year's Nines.

That drop kick he knocked over in the final...from the touchline....was one of the highlights of the season

[Fabou]

The warriors should walk it

 YESS

[Number 16]

By my reckoning only three of the Brits out there make it - Tom Burgess, Joe Burgess and Tyrone McCarthy.

[roughyedspud]

Joe burgess could put a marker down for the season if he rips it up...and he should,we all know what hes like in open space

[wackojacko]

Can't wait to see RTS and Johnson link up - those two playing nines must be worth the admission price alone.

[Futtocks]

Rookies to watch out for.

[damp squib]

By my reckoning only three of the Brits out there make it - Tom Burgess, Joe Burgess and Tyrone McCarthy.

Superleague fans should also keep an eye out for Ben Garcia with the Panthers. He's pretty mobile for a forward so hopefully he gets some game time.

[Number 16]

Third year and hopefully the crowds will continue coming. 

 

Last weekend's rugby union 7s attracted only 29,400 across the two days. It'd be good to blow that number away!

[jannerboyuk]

Sharkies for the win, looking forward to the women's games as well they were brill last year!

[Yakstorm]

The NZRU must hate the Auckland Nines. Prior to the NRL announcing the event, the Wellington event regularly sold out with only two day tickets ever sold.

Since the Auckland Nines has started the last three years the Sevens has drawn less than capacity crowds and lost some of its shine.

[Number 16]

Is that down to the A9s, or familiarity creating indifference/apathy. If the latter then maybe it's a lesson for the NRL, and maybe the 9s should be hosted by other cities too, Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney & Other.

[Farmduck]

The NRL has only committed to Auckland for a set period. Auckland Council was prepared to part-fund for 5 years as was Dick Smith but Dick Smith went belly up a couple of months ago.