The NRL Auckland Nines (known as the Downer NRL Auckland Nines due to sponsorship) is a rugby league nines competition staged by the National Rugby League and played annually prior to the beginning of the NRL season proper. The inaugural five player tournament was staged between 15 - 16 February 2014, with subsequent tournaments being played earlier in the year normally at the end of January. The NRL signed a five-year agreement for Auckland's Eden Park to host the tournament with the 2014 event being the first.
Two national women's teams compete in one section of the tournament and sixteen NRL club men's teams compete in the other. Each of the men's squad must include at least 12 of their top 25 players in their squad, and at least one marquee player. The winner of the men's tournament receives AUD$500,000 with a total prize pool of AUD$2,250,000. In the first four editions, the competition has had eight different finalists and four different winners, though the 2016 title was later stripped from the Parramatta Eels for breaching the salary cap.
Since 2015 the Kiwiferns and the Jillaroos also competed in a three-game series, with the Kiwiferns winning the series 2-1. These games are played during the final stages of the men's tournament and allow the male players more of a break between their games while providing a broader tournament. Also in 2015, the pools were given traditional Maori names that were chosen by a public vote and were: Rangitoto, Waiheke, Piha and Hunua Ranges.
The 2018 edition of the Auckland Nines series was cancelled, with the NRL citing a packed schedule due to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The 2019 series also seems likely to be played in another city and venue, rather than returning to Auckland.
Video NRL Auckland Nines
Rules
There are a number of rule variations that are implemented to ensure the games are faster and to ensure fewer delays and stoppages.
The major rule changes that differ from regular NRL games are:
- Two nine-minute halves with a two-minute half time period.
- Nine players a side with five unlimited interchange players (six interchanges in 2014).
- Scrums are only formed after a double knock on, with attacking teams electing which side to feed the ball.
- No video referee, with one on-field referee, two touch judges and two in-goal judges.
- Five minute golden try period in qualifying rounds with the match deemed a draw if there is no score, while unlimited golden try for the finals.
- A tap restart takes place after a 40/20.
- Five points for a try scored in the bonus zone under the posts, with two point drop kick conversion attempts.
- The scoring team will have a drop-kick kick-off at the half way mark to restart play.
- Three minute sin bins (Five in 2014).
- Five tackles in a set.
Maps NRL Auckland Nines
Results - Men
Note - The Parramatta Eels were stripped of their 2016 Auckland Nines title due to a breach of the salary cap. The 2016 title was withheld by the NRL rather than awarding it to the runners up.
Results - Women
Each year since the 2015 tournament, the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns and the Australia Jillaroos have played a three match series.
See also
- Rugby League World Sevens
- Super League World Nines
References
External links
- Official website
Source of article : Wikipedia
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