NRL Auckland Nines
| NRL Auckland Nines | |
|---|---|
Current season or competition: 2016 NRL Auckland Nines | |
 | |
| Sport | Rugby league |
| Instituted | 2014 |
| Inaugural season | 2014 |
| Number of teams |
16 Male 2 Female (2015) |
| Country |
Australia New Zealand |
| Current Champions |
 South Sydney (2015) |
| Most titles |
 North Queensland South Sydney(1 title each) |
| Broadcast partner |
Fox Sports (AU) Sky Sports (NZ) |
The NRL Auckland Nines (known as the Downer NRL Auckland Nines due to sponsorship)[1] is a rugby league nines competition first held by the National Rugby League at Auckland's Eden Park between 15 – 16 February 2014.[2] The 2014 event was the first of five to be held at Eden Park.[3]
All sixteen NRL clubs compete in the tournament. Each squad included at least 12 of their top 25 players in their squad, and at least one marquee player. The winner of the tournament received AUD$500,000 with a total prize pool of AUD$2,250,000.[3]
In the first three editions, the competition has had six different finalists and three different winners, though the 2016 title was later stripped from the winners.
In the 2015 the Kiwiferns and the Jillaroos also competed in a three-game series, with the Kiwiferns winning the series 2-1. In 2015, the pool names were chosen by a public vote and were: Rangitoto, Waiheke, Piha and Hunua Ranges.[4]
Rules
There are a number of rule variations that are implemented to ensure the games are faster and to ensure fewer delays and stoppages.[5]
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.
Results
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.[6]
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | North Queensland Cowboys | 16 – 7 |  Brisbane Broncos |
| 2015 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 18 – 14 (a.e.t) |  Cronulla Sharks |
| 2016 |  Parramatta Eels *stripped[7] | 22 – 4 |  New Zealand Warriors |
See also
References
- ↑ "Dick Smith to sponsor Auckland Nines". nrl.com. National Rugby League. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
- ↑ "NRL Auckland Nines Tournament launched". nrl.com. National Rugby League. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
- 1 2 Deane, Steve. "NRL: Auckland set for five years of NRL Nines". nzherald.co.nz. APN New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
- ↑ "Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines draw revealed". nrl.com. National Rugby League. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
- ↑ Chammas, Michael. "NRL to trial experimental rules for Auckland Nines". smh.com.au. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
- ↑ "Parramatta Eels stripped of Auckland Nines title but Warriors don't benefit". stuff.co.nz. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
- ↑ "Parramatta salary cap preliminary findings". nrl.com.au. ARLC. Retrieved 3 May 2015.