Auckland Nines Discussion
- Thread starter Junior11
- Start date
Three Million in Profit with a month to go.
Most successful event in NZ rugby league history three times over.
So there are around two fifths of the tickets to sell based on the projected figure of five million profit from sales.
knowing how this town operates ( notoriously fickle with sporting events ) Auckland is well on track to sell out.
Once the teams hit town in the build up week all seats will go.
I grabbed seven tickets at the outset.
Most successful event in NZ rugby league history three times over.
So there are around two fifths of the tickets to sell based on the projected figure of five million profit from sales.
knowing how this town operates ( notoriously fickle with sporting events ) Auckland is well on track to sell out.
Once the teams hit town in the build up week all seats will go.
I grabbed seven tickets at the outset.
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Nines to launch league into bold new era
Wednesday 22 January 2014 1:51 PM
The Auckland Nines is only in its first year, but Newcastle Knights players believe the tournament has the potential to launch rugby league into a bold new era.
With the inaugural tournament just a month away, Knights prop Willie Mason says the Nines format can follow in the footsteps of Sevens Rugby and make its way onto the Olympic Games arena.
“Oh yeah absolutely it can," Mason says.
"I suppose you can go back to what Kerry Packer did to the cricket and turned it all into a one day series.
"That made it a lot more exciting and brought a whole world of cricket together.
"They’ve obviously changed that format down to Twenty20, which makes it even more exciting because people were probably getting sick of one dayers.
"I think rugby league is such a great spectacle to watch anyway and if you do shorten it up a little bit and change a few rules, it could spark a new generation of followers to rugby league.
"Especially holding it in a place like Auckland, where it is a rugby union heartland.
"So if we can put on a good showcase, we can show the world that rugby league is a very entertaining game to watch.
"The athletes that we have amongst the NRL will be at the forefront of the whole two days."
Mason is first to admit league isn't on the global stage of union or football, but he insists the Nines format will be the perfect launch pad for the NRL's stars to showcase their skills.
The Knights are yet to finalise their squad for the tournament, but are expected to field a strong side to compete in their pool against the Sharks, Tigers and Titans.
"Personally you’d think the Nines would be a better spectacle to watch than union sevens," he says.
"Obviously union has a bigger audience and it is a world game and therefore that’s why the Olympics have accepted their game.
"We need to be real where we are in the world and league isn’t a world game like soccer or rugby union.
"But an event like the Nines if we give it a couple of years could see a lot of people looking at league in a different light.
"They might think it’s just a thugs sport and a real brutal sport, but the Nines will show the skill level of some players and the athleticism.
"I think the best athletes do come from rugby league and you can see that when Sonny Bill and Timana Tahu and all these ex-league players go to union and seem to grab a Wallabies or All-Blacks jersey quite easily just through their athleticism and knowing how to play, run and defend.
"A player like Israel Folau has done three codes and he is a rugby league player.
"Then you’ve got the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Greg Inglis and freak young backs coming through just showing amazing skills.
"The Nines will be a great opportunity for these players to showcase their skills."
Emerging hooker Adam Clydesdale echos Mason's thoughts on the Nines and can't wait to line-up for the Knights if given the opportunity.
"It will be very exciting to watch and be a part of," Clydesdale says.
"There will be some good players and it will be all about the speed of the game and being fit.
"It will be very different to the normal game, but it will be fun.
"We have a lot of fit players at the Club with people like Jimmy McManus and Aku Uate, so it should be good to play in the tournament.
"Hopefully the Nines is something that will continue in the future.
"Some of the best players in the world will be playing and it would be good to see the Nines even one day played at the Olympics."
The Auckland Nines will be played over two days from February 15 and 16 at New Zealand's famous Eden Park.
http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Nines-to-launch-league-into-bold-new-era/89371
Wednesday 22 January 2014 1:51 PM
The Auckland Nines is only in its first year, but Newcastle Knights players believe the tournament has the potential to launch rugby league into a bold new era.
With the inaugural tournament just a month away, Knights prop Willie Mason says the Nines format can follow in the footsteps of Sevens Rugby and make its way onto the Olympic Games arena.
“Oh yeah absolutely it can," Mason says.
"I suppose you can go back to what Kerry Packer did to the cricket and turned it all into a one day series.
"That made it a lot more exciting and brought a whole world of cricket together.
"They’ve obviously changed that format down to Twenty20, which makes it even more exciting because people were probably getting sick of one dayers.
"I think rugby league is such a great spectacle to watch anyway and if you do shorten it up a little bit and change a few rules, it could spark a new generation of followers to rugby league.
"Especially holding it in a place like Auckland, where it is a rugby union heartland.
"So if we can put on a good showcase, we can show the world that rugby league is a very entertaining game to watch.
"The athletes that we have amongst the NRL will be at the forefront of the whole two days."
Mason is first to admit league isn't on the global stage of union or football, but he insists the Nines format will be the perfect launch pad for the NRL's stars to showcase their skills.
The Knights are yet to finalise their squad for the tournament, but are expected to field a strong side to compete in their pool against the Sharks, Tigers and Titans.
"Personally you’d think the Nines would be a better spectacle to watch than union sevens," he says.
"Obviously union has a bigger audience and it is a world game and therefore that’s why the Olympics have accepted their game.
"We need to be real where we are in the world and league isn’t a world game like soccer or rugby union.
"But an event like the Nines if we give it a couple of years could see a lot of people looking at league in a different light.
"They might think it’s just a thugs sport and a real brutal sport, but the Nines will show the skill level of some players and the athleticism.
"I think the best athletes do come from rugby league and you can see that when Sonny Bill and Timana Tahu and all these ex-league players go to union and seem to grab a Wallabies or All-Blacks jersey quite easily just through their athleticism and knowing how to play, run and defend.
"A player like Israel Folau has done three codes and he is a rugby league player.
"Then you’ve got the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Greg Inglis and freak young backs coming through just showing amazing skills.
"The Nines will be a great opportunity for these players to showcase their skills."
Emerging hooker Adam Clydesdale echos Mason's thoughts on the Nines and can't wait to line-up for the Knights if given the opportunity.
"It will be very exciting to watch and be a part of," Clydesdale says.
"There will be some good players and it will be all about the speed of the game and being fit.
"It will be very different to the normal game, but it will be fun.
"We have a lot of fit players at the Club with people like Jimmy McManus and Aku Uate, so it should be good to play in the tournament.
"Hopefully the Nines is something that will continue in the future.
"Some of the best players in the world will be playing and it would be good to see the Nines even one day played at the Olympics."
The Auckland Nines will be played over two days from February 15 and 16 at New Zealand's famous Eden Park.
http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Nines-to-launch-league-into-bold-new-era/89371
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Knights announce Nines squad
Monday 3 February 2014 5:23 PM
The Newcastle Knights' finalised their 16-man squad for the **** Smith NRL Auckland Nines, with five-eighth Jarrod Mullen set to captain the side in the two-day tournament.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS AUCKLAND NINES 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
If the Auckland Nines is all about fast paced exciting footy, then Beau Scott has no doubts the Newcastle Knights have all the attributes to succeed at the inaugural tournament.
He believes the Club is well served in the speed and skill department, nominating the likes of Aku Uate, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua and NYC graduate Jake Mamo as players to watch out for at the Nines.
"I’m really excited," Scott says about the Nines, which will be played on February 15 and 16.
"It is an unknown, so it is pretty hard to train for and we haven't focused on it too much but from our side, I think there are a couple of young kids to look out for.
"You’ve got Jake Mamo and he is lightning, so it will be good to see him get a run.
"Then there’s Aku and Dane, this is probably their style of football; they are pretty evasive players.
"Other than that, we’ve got a fair bit of experience."
While Scott is expecting the likes of Uate and young Mamo to star at the Nines, he also believes the forwards will play a significant role in the fast-paced format.
"I think it will be like the real game of league and everyone will have a role to play," he added.
"There should be a lot of football played and it will be interesting to see the way it will all unfold.
"I also think everyone is going to be competitive on the day.
"It’s nine-minute halves, so there isn’t a long time to be out on the field for. It’s going to be pretty electric."
On the back of a season where he was restricted to 16 games due to a groin injury, Scott is just happy to be injury-free and can't wait to play in the Nines and then the NRL season proper.
"I’ve definitely had a very different pre-season to this time last year," he grins.
"I’m fit, ready to go and looking forward to getting out on the park.
"It has been a pretty tough pre-season, as they always are, but it’s the fun time of the year where everyone plays footy again."
http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Knights-announce-Nines-squad/89869
Monday 3 February 2014 5:23 PM
The Newcastle Knights' finalised their 16-man squad for the **** Smith NRL Auckland Nines, with five-eighth Jarrod Mullen set to captain the side in the two-day tournament.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS AUCKLAND NINES 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
If the Auckland Nines is all about fast paced exciting footy, then Beau Scott has no doubts the Newcastle Knights have all the attributes to succeed at the inaugural tournament.
He believes the Club is well served in the speed and skill department, nominating the likes of Aku Uate, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua and NYC graduate Jake Mamo as players to watch out for at the Nines.
"I’m really excited," Scott says about the Nines, which will be played on February 15 and 16.
"It is an unknown, so it is pretty hard to train for and we haven't focused on it too much but from our side, I think there are a couple of young kids to look out for.
"You’ve got Jake Mamo and he is lightning, so it will be good to see him get a run.
"Then there’s Aku and Dane, this is probably their style of football; they are pretty evasive players.
"Other than that, we’ve got a fair bit of experience."
While Scott is expecting the likes of Uate and young Mamo to star at the Nines, he also believes the forwards will play a significant role in the fast-paced format.
"I think it will be like the real game of league and everyone will have a role to play," he added.
"There should be a lot of football played and it will be interesting to see the way it will all unfold.
"I also think everyone is going to be competitive on the day.
"It’s nine-minute halves, so there isn’t a long time to be out on the field for. It’s going to be pretty electric."
On the back of a season where he was restricted to 16 games due to a groin injury, Scott is just happy to be injury-free and can't wait to play in the Nines and then the NRL season proper.
"I’ve definitely had a very different pre-season to this time last year," he grins.
"I’m fit, ready to go and looking forward to getting out on the park.
"It has been a pretty tough pre-season, as they always are, but it’s the fun time of the year where everyone plays footy again."
http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Knights-announce-Nines-squad/89869
Last edited:
So pumped now for this event in only 12 days 
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Knights name Auckland Nines side
NRL.com
7:30pm Mon 03rd February, 2014
The Newcastle Knights 16-man squad for the **** Smith NRL Auckland Nines features five-eighth Jarrod Mullen as captain and plenty of NRL experience in the backline.
Attacking centres Joseph Leilua and Dane Gagai, and Fijian test winger Akuila Uate will all feature, along with some experienced forwards.
Back rower Beau Scott said the Knights side named has all the attributes to succeed at the inaugural tournament, listing Uate, Leilua, Gagai and NYC graduate Jake Mamo as players to watch out for at the Nines.
"It is an unknown, so it is pretty hard to train for and we haven't focused on it too much but from our side, I think there are a couple of young kids to look out for," Scott said.
"You’ve got Jake Mamo and he is lightning, so it will be good to see him get a run.
"Then there’s Aku and Dane (Gagai), this is probably their style of football; they are pretty evasive players.
"Other than that, we’ve got a fair bit of experience."
Scott said the forwards will also play a significant role in the fast-paced format.
"I think it will be like the real game of league and everyone will have a role to play.
"There should be a lot of football played and it will be interesting to see the way it will all unfold.
"I also think everyone is going to be competitive on the day.
"It’s nine-minute halves, so there isn’t a long time to be out on the field for.
"It’s going to be pretty electric."
http://www.nrl.com/knights-name-auckland-nines-side/tabid/10874/newsid/76109/default.aspx
NRL.com
7:30pm Mon 03rd February, 2014
The Newcastle Knights 16-man squad for the **** Smith NRL Auckland Nines features five-eighth Jarrod Mullen as captain and plenty of NRL experience in the backline.
Attacking centres Joseph Leilua and Dane Gagai, and Fijian test winger Akuila Uate will all feature, along with some experienced forwards.
Back rower Beau Scott said the Knights side named has all the attributes to succeed at the inaugural tournament, listing Uate, Leilua, Gagai and NYC graduate Jake Mamo as players to watch out for at the Nines.
"It is an unknown, so it is pretty hard to train for and we haven't focused on it too much but from our side, I think there are a couple of young kids to look out for," Scott said.
"You’ve got Jake Mamo and he is lightning, so it will be good to see him get a run.
"Then there’s Aku and Dane (Gagai), this is probably their style of football; they are pretty evasive players.
"Other than that, we’ve got a fair bit of experience."
Scott said the forwards will also play a significant role in the fast-paced format.
"I think it will be like the real game of league and everyone will have a role to play.
"There should be a lot of football played and it will be interesting to see the way it will all unfold.
"I also think everyone is going to be competitive on the day.
"It’s nine-minute halves, so there isn’t a long time to be out on the field for.
"It’s going to be pretty electric."
http://www.nrl.com/knights-name-auckland-nines-side/tabid/10874/newsid/76109/default.aspx
Billy
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Clydesdale and Mamo are the two bolters, but they are great selections. Mamo scored at a try a game last year without much help from his team, and Clydsdale is also a dangerous attacking player.
The backline has some try scoring potential with Uate, Chanell, Mamo, Gags, BJ, Mullen and Roberts all capable of a brilliant individual try against 9 defenders.
The backline has some try scoring potential with Uate, Chanell, Mamo, Gags, BJ, Mullen and Roberts all capable of a brilliant individual try against 9 defenders.
Nickwpearce
Banned
Boyd is injured as well as gidley and mcmanus and cuthbo, not sure wayne would play all of them but that is a great side and we could use the confidence and it could even improve our attack for games when we need to come up with points fast!