Warriors learn fate for inaugural Auckland Nines
Last updated 11:00 30/10/2013
BEN STANLEY
The Warriors have drawn the Raiders, Sea Eagles and Cowboys in the first NRL Auckland Nines to be held at Eden Park next February.
Those four teams are in Pool A of the tournament that will began at 1pm on Saturday, February 15.
The Rooster, Eels, Broncos and the Bulldogs fill the second pool, while the Sharks, Knights, Tigers and Titans are in the third.
The final pool shapes as the toughest with the Storm taking on the Panthers, Rabbitohs and Dragons.
The Sharks and Knights will open the tournament while the Warriors start their campaign against the Raiders at 2.25pm on February 15.
"I like the chances of the Warriors being one of the two sides to advance from their pool," Warriors legend, club centurion and former skipper Monty Betham, said.
"The clubs with the great rugby league tradition aren't necessarily going to be great at Nines.
"Manly will be difficult and the Cowboys have some real talent but the Raiders are from the Land of the Giants - big powerful forwards aren't going to get it done in Nines."
The clubs will compete for a New Zealand record $2.6 million in prizemoney.
The NRL's 16 clubs have all guaranteed at least one top five player from each of the club's salary cap. They will play in Auckland alongside at least 12 of each club's top 25 salary capped players.
The draw was made by Auckland mayor Len Brown and Knights forward Willie Mason at Dick Smith's at Sylvia Park this morning. Dick Smith was named as the tournament sponsors today.