Auckland 9's

[DIEHARD]

At least the organisers get it … I may watch it after all … Freddy, Beaver and Mary McGregor = get real.

Absolutely, the NRL and organisers need to hold firm or the dam will burst and it'll be a pre-season joke.

Pre-season comps are so hard to get up, sustain and above all, be taken seriously.

[C-Whiz]

At least the organisers get it … I may watch it after all … Freddy, Beaver and Mary McGregor = get real.

Absolutely, the NRL and organisers need to hold firm or the dam will burst and it'll be a pre-season joke.

Pre-season comps are so hard to get up, sustain and above all, be taken seriously.

Maybe they should make it that each club has to have a certain representation of U/20's players too. Good way to see some young guns, and good way to blood a few guys pre-season.

[DIEHARD]

New Zealand Warriors to unleash UK star Sam Tomkins at Auckland Nines

EXCITEMENT machine Sam Tomkins will make his debut with new club the Warriors at next month's Auckland Nines.

Coach Matt Elliott confirmed the star recruit will be a key member in the Warriors' bid to claim the inaugural tournament, which runs February 15 and 16 at Eden Park.

"Sam will be playing Nines," Elliott told reporters in New Zealand.

"We made a commitment as an organisation to do really well in the Nines. We also need to look at who's best suited for it and Sam certainly falls into that category."

The decision means the flying fullback misses the chance to turn out for the Warriors against his former club Wigan in Hamilton on February 12.

Wigan is travelling to the southern hemisphere for the World Club Challenge against the Roosters on February 22, and had arranged the Warriors match as a warm-up.

Due to the closeness of the match with the Nines tournament, Elliott is fielding completely different teams.

Tomkins, 24, scored 144 tries in 151 games for Wigan and a match against his old teammates would have made for an intriguing Warriors debut.

"I can see the interest in that, but our real key is to do well in the NRL season and we'd like to have a dip at the Nines as well," Elliott said.

"Guys playing in the Nines certainly won't be playing in the Wigan trial because it's only a few days before."

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...-1226805165710

[Mt Smart]

The big crowds are locked in. Only 1800 individual cheap seats were left a couple of days ago with three weeks left.

Each club will profit 96k for attending

The Winner as was posted earlier gets a top up of 450k = the half million plus advertised.

The Titans have the Roster to dominate in this form of the game.

[DIEHARD]

Great news Mt Smart. Big ticks across the board so far.

[Hail Sezer]

Cant wait for this. Costume ideas guys?

[TITAN PETE]

NRL clears Fittler to play Nines

NRL
10:30am Wed 22nd January, 2014


Former premiership-winning Roosters captain Brad Fittler has today been ruled eligible to play in the inaugural Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines next month after satisfying a number of specific criteria set by the NRL.

NRL Head of Football, Todd Greenberg, made the announcement at a special event at Dick Smith's George Street store in Sydney where Robbie Farah, Willie Mason, Michael Ennis, Adam Reynolds and Anthony Watmough were among NRL stars to showcase the club playing strips for the $A2.34 million event at Eden Park on February 15-16.

Greenberg said the Roosters had applied to the NRL to exercise its discretion to reinstate the retired Fittler for the "specific and sole purpose of competing for the Club" in the two-day, nine-a-side event, in which teams must field at least 12 of their top 25 playing list (including at least one of their top five) in the 16-man squads.

"Fittler will play a valuable mentoring role with the young players in the Roosters squad taking part in the inaugural Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines," Greenberg said.

"Being the competitor that he is, he has worked hard to ensure he deserves his place in the team, as well as satisfying a range of criteria and minimum standards we have set to reinstate a retired player for registration.

"The Roosters have a particularly heavy schedule leading into the start of the 2014 Telstra Premiership with the World Club Challenge in Sydney the week after the Nines tournament so their application to have Fittler added to their squad for the event in Auckland warranted consideration and underwent a thorough review process."

[TITAN PETE]

Nines fast approaching a sell-out

NRL
10:31am Wed 22nd January, 2014


Fans wishing to attend the Dick Smith Auckland Nines have been urged to move quickly to secure their tickets with news only limited seats remain before the event is declared a sell-out in its inaugural year.

Speaking at a special event a special event in Sydney where Robbie Farah, Willie Mason, Michael Ennis, Adam Reynolds and Anthony Watmough showcased their clubs' playing strips for the $A2.34 million event at Eden Park on February 15-16, NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg said: "To attract over 90,000 fans over two days – including more than 10,000 from outside of Auckland – for the inaugural event, which is still 24 days away, is a great achievement."

The rush towards a sell-out is no surprise to the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines Managing Director, David Higgins of Duco Events.

"From day one (fellow Duco Events director) Dean Lonergan and I thought the concept was a winner," Higgins said. "We always thought the event could sell out, but didn't expect it until a day before the event when the hype is at a premium. To be in this position a month out – that has totally blown us away.

"It is a testament to the fact that Rugby League has a huge fan base and fans realise that the quality of football on the field will be immense from game one.

"The indication from all of the clubs is that they are coming to Eden Park to win the tournament. This is no pre-season hit-out."

The players are as excited as the fans about the Nines format.

Displaying his team's eye-catching jersey, Newcastle hard man Willie Mason said: "The Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines is going to be awesome.

"The fast and exciting format over just one weekend will also attract new fans, which is great for the game.

"The way the Kiwis have embraced it, along with our Aussie fans who are travelling over for it is testament to that.

"What a fantastic way to kick-off the footy season… I can't wait to get amongst it."

Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah agreed: "I was in Auckland last week and the talk about the Nines is non-stop.

"Everywhere you look there are pictures of Paul Gallen, Willie Mason, Todd Carney, Greg Bird – on trains, on shop fronts, bus shelters – and there are banners across the main street, on flag poles and shop windows.

"The atmosphere is going to be electric. Everyone at Wests Tigers is excited and we are going to Auckland to try our very best to win that inaugural trophy."

The players who showed off their club playing strip today included: Broncos - Ben Hunt; Bulldogs – Michael Ennis; Cowboys - Gavin Cooper; Dragons - Jason Nightingale; Knights - Willie Mason; Parramatta - Kelepi Tanginoa; Penrith - Jamie Soward; Rabbitohs - Adam Reynolds; Raiders -Luke Bateman; Roosters – Shaun Kenny-Dowall; Sea Eagles - Anthony Watmough; Sharks - Chris Heighington; Storm – Sisa Waqa; Titans - Ryan James; Wests Tigers - Robbie Farah.

[shamus]

I received an info pack from the Titans in the mail today in relation to this. Some reasonable packages on offer. Too late for me to go this year but seriously thinking about making it an annual ritual from next year.

[Mt Smart]

This is a post I drafted after seeing the Warriors team.

I've posted it on some other club websites I belong to :

The ' no names on the Warriors list there ( from the U20's ) speak of the Warriors tactics.

1) Solomone Kata ....rumored to be the Franchises fastest player

2) David Fusitua ....rumored to be the franchises fastest player

3) Glen Fisi'ahi....formerly touted as the Warriors fastest player ( before the names above joined the club ).

4) Sam Tomkins.....rumored to be the fastest fullback and possibly in the same speed bracket as the above

5) Shaun Johnson....undisputed fastest Half in the NRL

6 ) Sebastian Ikihihifo , 2nd fastest second rower at the Warriors

7 ) Jason Bukuya unknown but Quick for a secound rower

8 ) Dominique Peroux Fastest Secound rower at the Warriors

9 ) Charlie Gubb , Fastest Prop at the Warriors

10 ) Suia Matangi , hardest running prop at the Warriors

11 ) Carlos tuimavave , fastest Ultility back at the Warriors

12 ) Sione Lousi the only player who breaks the mold in terms of fastest / hardest running

13 ) Konrad Hurrell hardest Running back at the Warriors

14 ) Tuimoala Lolohea , secound fastest Half / fastest Center at the Warriors

15 ) Raymond Faitala Mariner , touted as the next Sonny Bill....just a kid ......fast secound rower with all of Williams skill set ....not the NRL work load / fitness / size experience etc.

16 ) Ngani Laumape , Center / Wing........Short compact player well rounded skills , hard running , good pass.

[TITAN PETE]

This is a post I drafted after seeing the Warriors team.

I've posted it on some other club websites I belong to :

The ' no names on the Warriors list there ( from the U20's ) speak of the Warriors tactics.

1) Solomone Kata ....rumored to be the Franchises fastest player

2) David Fusitua ....rumored to be the franchises fastest player

3) Glen Fisi'ahi....formerly touted as the Warriors fastest player ( before the names above joined the club ).

4) Sam Tomkins.....rumored to be the fastest fullback and possibly in the same speed bracket as the above

5) Shaun Johnson....undisputed fastest Half in the NRL

6 ) Sebastian Ikihihifo , 2nd fastest second rower at the Warriors

7 ) Jason Bukuya unknown but Quick for a secound rower

8 ) Dominique Peroux Fastest Secound rower at the Warriors

9 ) Charlie Gubb , Fastest Prop at the Warriors

10 ) Suia Matangi , hardest running prop at the Warriors

11 ) Carlos tuimavave , fastest Ultility back at the Warriors

12 ) Sione Lousi the only player who breaks the mold in terms of fastest / hardest running

13 ) Konrad Hurrell hardest Running back at the Warriors

14 ) Tuimoala Lolohea , secound fastest Half / fastest Center at the Warriors

15 ) Raymond Faitala Mariner , touted as the next Sonny Bill....just a kid ......fast secound rower with all of Williams skill set ....not the NRL work load / fitness / size experience etc.

16 ) Ngani Laumape , Center / Wing........Short compact player well rounded skills , hard running , good pass.

This is why they are short priced favorites to win it but their problem may be that they will be required to tackle throughout the series too ..

Can't wait for it to start & I think the Warriors,Penrith &. The Titans will fight for the title of 9's Champions

[Mt Smart]

This is why they are short priced favorites to win it but their problem may be that they will be required to tackle throughout the series too ..

Can't wait for it to start & I think the Warriors,Penrith &. The Titans will fight for the title of 9's Champions

Absolutely Titan PETE.

The only thing the Warriors can promise is some exciting Try's.

If the Titans put together their very best line up in this format....they could play Forwards who will eat that Warriors line up alive ( I'm Serious ).

The other thing about the Titans is they will have no problem matching the speed of the Warriors Back line and then some.

The Warriors have consulted with the Rugby Union Sevens coaching legend Gordon Tetjens for this one....and it shows in their selections.

Put it this way I am going to put a large wager on the Titans ( I Never Gamble ) if they name the squad I have in my head

[DIEHARD]

Im going to do nothing on the Auckland 9s weekend but watch every second of it.

I'm sold on Pete's theory that it'll be Penrith, Warriors and us in the mix.

Interesting bit of info about the Warriors consulting a Union 7s expert. They must really be taking this seriously and there is alot of pressure on them.

I also hope the NRL highlights every Kiwi or Islander playing. This may also help recruit more Kiwis to being NRL fans, not just Warriors fan.

[Mt Smart]

Im going to do nothing on the Auckland 9s weekend but watch every second of it.

I'm sold on Pete's theory that it'll be Penrith, Warriors and us in the mix.

Interesting bit of info about the Warriors consulting a Union 7s expert. They must really be taking this seriously and there is alot of pressure on them.

I also hope the NRL highlights every Kiwi or Islander playing. This may also help recruit more Kiwis to being NRL fans, not just Warriors fan.

It is no exageration to call Gordon Tetjens the Rugby Sevens equivalent of Wayne Bennet , his record is a phenomena.

One of his training urban legends is that New players who want to make his squad have to go through this test from hell until they are dry retching or vomiting ( I kid you not ).

This is ( as I mentioned earlier ) where the Warriors may have made a mistake , Tetjens teams play at high speed and have incredible fitness , but Nines is a bit different to the Sevens game. I know I've said it before but I can't get over the type of Mix the Titans could throw together using big men who will draw in multiple tacklers and speed on the flanks.

As for your comment about attracting NRL fans who are not Warriors fans....that is very astute for several reasons :

NZ has a history of supporting winning teams , the lines between NZ made and Aussie made in Rugby league historically are well and truly blurred here.

At SOO time , NZ splits in half in the same fashion as NSW and QL. QL support has an edge based on the time Graham Lowe Coached the Cane toads ( countless Aussie imports at the Warriors have talked about how stunned they are at the passion the SOO is supported here by leaugue and non league fans alike ).

Dean Lonergan the tournament promoter is not a Warriors fan, he is an NRL fan , his agenda with the comp only factors in some Warrior love at the ' home team level ' Knowing Dean as I do his ideal scenario would see the Warriors make it to the quarters....thereafter anyones go....and in some ways I think he would prefer the trophy goes offshore to legitimize the whole deal.

Demographics. Males aged 30 + in NZ support a non Warrior team as readily as any. The Sydney teams , Brisbane and Melbourne enjoy the lions share of that brackets support by virtue of success in that groups formative years.

New and emerging fans 30 and under. This is the group for the Titans to target. In some ways the Warriors have possibly held back rugby league in NZ through lack of success. Generation Y will remember who took the nines seriously in 2014 and who played to the fans here.
I see plenty of Titans fans at Warrior away games here at Mt Smart. That market is waiting to be tapped here , with Rugby and Cricket commentators on talk back radio frequently raising the ' Why is the NRL better to watch than the Super Rugby debates "

If It were me I would bring the Titans best and cash in on the Massive gap in the NZ sporting landscape where 'neutral fans ' choose NRL teams that aren't the Warriors ( It's a big market ).

The Bulldogs and Roosters cash in on it by playing their home games here to large gate takings in Christchurch ans Wellington.

Even a Broncos Trial in Dunedin sells out ( theyre back this year )

The North harbor trial V the Warriors probably wont go so well....the jey is to play out of Auckland with trials

[Mt Smart]

Crickey the Knights have named a team of Stars !


Full Knights squad
1. Chanel Mata’utia
2. Jake Mamo
3. Dane Gagai
4. Joseph Leilua
5. Akuila Uate
6. Jarrod Mullen (c)
7. Tyrone Roberts
8. Willie Mason
9. Adam Clydsdale
10. Chris Houston
11. Beau Scott
12. Robbie Rochow
13. Jeremy Smith
14. Michael Dobson
15. Alex McKinnon
16. Zane Tetevano