anthemlost
Steve Linnane
Gotta feel for the kid. That's gotta suck happening not even in the regular season
Auckland Nines Discussion
- Thread starter Junior11
- Start date
cowboyman
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Atleast most Cowboys fans will get to see what they wanted to see once Mango was told he wasn't needed for this year and that's Zac Santo in the fullback spot. Must admit its not to worrying at this stage.
The attack structure will be a lot different with him at the back. Expect him to be sniffing around the big forwards for a offload instead of being a second 5/8th.
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They all look awful in the 9's jersey
The attack structure will be a lot different with him at the back. Expect him to be sniffing around the big forwards for a offload instead of being a second 5/8th.
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Lachlan looked just awful in a Cowboys jersey anyway :noway:
They all look awful in the 9's jersey
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Sceptical NRL CEO’s left to eat humble pie after the success of the inaugural Nines tournament
Fans at Eden Park show their support for the Auckland Nines. Source: Getty Images
WHEN the NRL first called for a show of hands from the 16 club CEOs on the Auckland Nines, just six arms were raised.
That was in late 2012.
Just over a year later many of the same dissenters were watching history unfold in Auckland, eating humble pie in corporate boxes at a heaving Eden Park.
If Dave Smith wanted a blueprint of how to evolve rugby league, he should ditch the E-Squared formula and circulate the carnival-like concourses of this venue.
What he would discover is an atmosphere entirely divorced from the average NRL fixture, let alone tumbleweed-strewn trials.
Think a raunchy Halloween shindig crossed with the decadence of Cup Day at Flemington.
Without any prompting, New Zealanders and the 7,000 visitors from across the ditch turned the tournament’s inaugural day into a intoxicating dress-up party for the young and the beautiful.
This was rugby league as we’ve never seen it before, dressed in every costume imaginable: Native Indians, naughty schoolgirls, and non-compliant nuns.
Accustomed to the relatively rigid atmosphere at competition games, club officials were astounded. Given the fact all 92,000 tickets were pre-sold months before this weekend, it’s hard to appreciate the previous scepticism.
Much of the resistance was based on the NRL having to split profits with the concept’s creator and promoter, Duco Events.
That spelled less money for the game, and, therefore, the clubs.
The problem was Duco had the relationship with Auckland City Council, whose $12 million investment over the next five years was indispensable.
Realising they were up against some of the most powerful and long-serving administrators in the game, Duco bosses David Higgins and Dean Lonergan personally wooed the clubs for months until a second vote was taken midway through last year.
This time 14 hands were raised.
Judging by yesterday’s extraordinary scenes, rugby league folklore will speak kindly of that day.
Even before the Sharks and Knights kicked-off, much of the talk in New Zealand centred how this event would measure-up against last weekend’s annual rugby union sevens tournament in Wellington.
That event had been running successfully for 15 years, but, in a godsend for league lovers, the latest edition was it’s most shameful.
A total of 270 people were ejected from Westpac Stadium, reducing an already disappointing turn-out of less than 30,000 over two days.
Lonergan believes the poor attendance was due to the Auckland Nines, but he nonetheless took lessons from the rival code’s woes.
Patrons at Eden Park were limited to two drinks each, rather than the standard four.
The precaution led to massive queues at every bar, but none of the drinkers seemed unhappy as they compared costumes or exchanged phone numbers.
The stand-out feature of those in line was not their extravagant dress.
It was their age.
In recent years, older faces have started to dominate NRL crowds and females are still comfortably in the minority
But in Auckland yesterday the stands boasted an equal gender split.
Better still, they were awash with a Gen Y flavour more commonly associated with an outdoor music festival.
Out with the old, in with the new.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...nines-tournament/story-fni3fbgz-1226828247358
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Hits and misses from day one of the Auckland Nines rugby league tournament
WE reveal the nine hits and misses from day one of the incredibly successful Auckland Nines rugby league tournament.
1. CLOCK WATCHING
When the NRL and Nines organisers sit down for a debrief, they should look at how much time was wasted after tries.
There’s no way fans saw 18 minutes of action from each match.
Some players chewed up to 45 seconds for a drop kick conversion.
Multiply that by five tries and you’ve lost the very product Nines is all about — entertainment.
2. E-SQUARED
Even before entering Eden Park, fans knew they were in for more than just a day at the footy.
Lollipops for the kids, inflatable team sticks, temporary team tattoos and flags were handed out free of charge.
A kiss-cam kept the crowd smiling in between matches. Unfortunately for NRL CEO Dave Smith, there wasn’t a jumping castle in sight.
3. FIVE-STARS
It might resemble rugby union, but there’s nothing dour about the five-point try concept.
The opportunity to bag a bonus point kept most of the games in the balance. Then there’s the heart-stopping excitement of players risking a certain try as they dodge toward the golden zone.
4. UP, UP CRONULLA
The reaction of Sharks players to winning the opening game was priceless. Hands were thrown skywards, group hugs materialised and water bottles went flying.
The reaction was telling of how difficult times have been in the Shire over the past 12 months.
5. WANNA BET
Odds for each match were flashed on to big screens before kick-off, replacing information that fans traditionally rely on to follow matches — such as the team line-ups. Spot-fixers don’t need more encouragement.
6. NEXT-GEN
The absence of big names gave young talents a chance. The likes of the Roosters’ Jackson Hastings, Bulldogs rookie Moses Mybe and Parramatta’s Semi Redradra all revelled in the spotlight.
7. NEW RELEASE
With no video help, referees had to back themselves — and in most cases they made the right calls. Endless replays have become one of the big momentum killers in the 13-a-side game.
8. CROWD BEHAVIOUR
The NRL embarrassed rugby union’s equivalent, the Wellington Sevens. The tight controls on beer guaranteed a largely well-behaved crowd.
9. STAR POWER
Players produced some spectacular efforts, such as this try from Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt. The likes of Shaun Johnson, Sam Tomkins and Broncos recruit Ben Barba had room to work their magic.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...eague-tournament/story-fni3fbgz-1226828241220
- JOSH MASSOUD
- THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
- FEBRUARY 15, 2014 10:00PM
Fans at Eden Park show their support for the Auckland Nines. Source: Getty Images
WHEN the NRL first called for a show of hands from the 16 club CEOs on the Auckland Nines, just six arms were raised.
That was in late 2012.
Just over a year later many of the same dissenters were watching history unfold in Auckland, eating humble pie in corporate boxes at a heaving Eden Park.
If Dave Smith wanted a blueprint of how to evolve rugby league, he should ditch the E-Squared formula and circulate the carnival-like concourses of this venue.
What he would discover is an atmosphere entirely divorced from the average NRL fixture, let alone tumbleweed-strewn trials.
Think a raunchy Halloween shindig crossed with the decadence of Cup Day at Flemington.
Without any prompting, New Zealanders and the 7,000 visitors from across the ditch turned the tournament’s inaugural day into a intoxicating dress-up party for the young and the beautiful.
This was rugby league as we’ve never seen it before, dressed in every costume imaginable: Native Indians, naughty schoolgirls, and non-compliant nuns.
Accustomed to the relatively rigid atmosphere at competition games, club officials were astounded. Given the fact all 92,000 tickets were pre-sold months before this weekend, it’s hard to appreciate the previous scepticism.
Much of the resistance was based on the NRL having to split profits with the concept’s creator and promoter, Duco Events.
That spelled less money for the game, and, therefore, the clubs.
The problem was Duco had the relationship with Auckland City Council, whose $12 million investment over the next five years was indispensable.
Realising they were up against some of the most powerful and long-serving administrators in the game, Duco bosses David Higgins and Dean Lonergan personally wooed the clubs for months until a second vote was taken midway through last year.
This time 14 hands were raised.
Judging by yesterday’s extraordinary scenes, rugby league folklore will speak kindly of that day.
Even before the Sharks and Knights kicked-off, much of the talk in New Zealand centred how this event would measure-up against last weekend’s annual rugby union sevens tournament in Wellington.
That event had been running successfully for 15 years, but, in a godsend for league lovers, the latest edition was it’s most shameful.
A total of 270 people were ejected from Westpac Stadium, reducing an already disappointing turn-out of less than 30,000 over two days.
Lonergan believes the poor attendance was due to the Auckland Nines, but he nonetheless took lessons from the rival code’s woes.
Patrons at Eden Park were limited to two drinks each, rather than the standard four.
The precaution led to massive queues at every bar, but none of the drinkers seemed unhappy as they compared costumes or exchanged phone numbers.
The stand-out feature of those in line was not their extravagant dress.
It was their age.
In recent years, older faces have started to dominate NRL crowds and females are still comfortably in the minority
But in Auckland yesterday the stands boasted an equal gender split.
Better still, they were awash with a Gen Y flavour more commonly associated with an outdoor music festival.
Out with the old, in with the new.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...nines-tournament/story-fni3fbgz-1226828247358
- - - Updated - - -
Hits and misses from day one of the Auckland Nines rugby league tournament
- DAVID RICCIO, PETER BADEL AND TONY ADAMS
- NEWS LIMITED NETWORK
- FEBRUARY 16, 2014 12:00AM
WE reveal the nine hits and misses from day one of the incredibly successful Auckland Nines rugby league tournament.
1. CLOCK WATCHING
When the NRL and Nines organisers sit down for a debrief, they should look at how much time was wasted after tries.
There’s no way fans saw 18 minutes of action from each match.
Some players chewed up to 45 seconds for a drop kick conversion.
Multiply that by five tries and you’ve lost the very product Nines is all about — entertainment.
2. E-SQUARED
Even before entering Eden Park, fans knew they were in for more than just a day at the footy.
Lollipops for the kids, inflatable team sticks, temporary team tattoos and flags were handed out free of charge.
A kiss-cam kept the crowd smiling in between matches. Unfortunately for NRL CEO Dave Smith, there wasn’t a jumping castle in sight.
3. FIVE-STARS
It might resemble rugby union, but there’s nothing dour about the five-point try concept.
The opportunity to bag a bonus point kept most of the games in the balance. Then there’s the heart-stopping excitement of players risking a certain try as they dodge toward the golden zone.
4. UP, UP CRONULLA
The reaction of Sharks players to winning the opening game was priceless. Hands were thrown skywards, group hugs materialised and water bottles went flying.
The reaction was telling of how difficult times have been in the Shire over the past 12 months.
5. WANNA BET
Odds for each match were flashed on to big screens before kick-off, replacing information that fans traditionally rely on to follow matches — such as the team line-ups. Spot-fixers don’t need more encouragement.
6. NEXT-GEN
The absence of big names gave young talents a chance. The likes of the Roosters’ Jackson Hastings, Bulldogs rookie Moses Mybe and Parramatta’s Semi Redradra all revelled in the spotlight.
7. NEW RELEASE
With no video help, referees had to back themselves — and in most cases they made the right calls. Endless replays have become one of the big momentum killers in the 13-a-side game.
8. CROWD BEHAVIOUR
The NRL embarrassed rugby union’s equivalent, the Wellington Sevens. The tight controls on beer guaranteed a largely well-behaved crowd.
9. STAR POWER
Players produced some spectacular efforts, such as this try from Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt. The likes of Shaun Johnson, Sam Tomkins and Broncos recruit Ben Barba had room to work their magic.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...eague-tournament/story-fni3fbgz-1226828241220
Last edited:
Junior11
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
I'd give it a 9/10. I agree it started to get a bit boring towards the end, there were some games where it didn't even look like the players cared, I just wanted it to get to the next game. But there was some great tries scored, Freddy's intercept try was something to remember and just watching the Knights and watching RL again made it an overall exciting first day. I'll lose some interest if the Knights lose but I'll still watch all the games. The whole tournament is going to keep getting better, I think this is way better than the All Stars.
Swarzey
Michael Hagan
It was very enjoyable just sitting around and watching it at home. I'd say 8/10 too. Points if they can make it more entertaining and enjoyable throughout the day, both live and the broadcast. Would have been nice to see a panel at the game rather than cutting back and forth to the studio. However, aside from the first game, our performance against the Titans was excellent. Held onto the ball, didn't give them many opportunities to get down the other end of the field and made them truly work for it. Most blokes carried on the form that got us to the Prelims in 2013 but Mamo was just plain awesome, the stand out for me. Against perhaps a slower team he could rip them to shreds. I'd also like to see him be the man we give the ball to in broken play with Mullo and Gagai/BJ
I also love how the that last article from the DT mentions Barba as one of the stars working their "magic". Ridiculous how shallow they are given he done absolutely nothing until he was gifted his try.
I also love how the that last article from the DT mentions Barba as one of the stars working their "magic". Ridiculous how shallow they are given he done absolutely nothing until he was gifted his try.
Captain Planet
Anthony Quinn
I give it a 8/10, 1 point deduction for time wastage- clock should be stopped during tries and when it goes in to touch, 1 point deduction for the commentary - at times it was just awful not even talking about the game while play was happening this pretty much revolved around Darryl Halligan whose voice and thoughts should ever be heard, Ray Hadley? And brandy? We're excellent
Playmaker06
Max Chapman
Greetings everyone
I went to the nines with my group of mates yesterday, my opinion it was pretty good. Me and my mate painted our faces, wore our knights jerseys and wave our knights flags up high. There weren't that many knights fans around, roughly seen maybe 8-12 knights fans walking around. We arrive 20 mins before opening game knights vs sharks, it was awesome to see them back on the field playing. But losing the opening game wasn't great, it really ruin our day hahaha! especially when we had to wait 3 hours & 40mins too see our boys play again. I was getting itchy feet lol
But was so relieved we beat titans, i was real nervous about playing them. The way titans thrash tigers got me very worried, their speedsters really rip them up. If the knights lost that game i would of left the stadium, but thank goodness we won. Im so looking forward to today, hopefully we make finals. Lets go KNIGHTS!!
Overall the NRL 9s was good, it felt like half crowd was just their for costume party, and other half was there for the footy haha!. Surprisingly the crowd was well behaved, people were drinking but weren't totally wasted. Everyone knew it wasn't worth getting wasted when you got 7 hours of footy and being out in the sun, it was gonna be long day . Especially prices of alcohol was too expensive $8- beer and $10- can of woodstock. The Auckland crowd was awesome, this whole event was very colorful everyone supporting their teams. Anyways i enjoy it i believe this event will get better,
I went to the nines with my group of mates yesterday, my opinion it was pretty good. Me and my mate painted our faces, wore our knights jerseys and wave our knights flags up high. There weren't that many knights fans around, roughly seen maybe 8-12 knights fans walking around. We arrive 20 mins before opening game knights vs sharks, it was awesome to see them back on the field playing. But losing the opening game wasn't great, it really ruin our day hahaha! especially when we had to wait 3 hours & 40mins too see our boys play again. I was getting itchy feet lol
But was so relieved we beat titans, i was real nervous about playing them. The way titans thrash tigers got me very worried, their speedsters really rip them up. If the knights lost that game i would of left the stadium, but thank goodness we won. Im so looking forward to today, hopefully we make finals. Lets go KNIGHTS!!
Overall the NRL 9s was good, it felt like half crowd was just their for costume party, and other half was there for the footy haha!. Surprisingly the crowd was well behaved, people were drinking but weren't totally wasted. Everyone knew it wasn't worth getting wasted when you got 7 hours of footy and being out in the sun, it was gonna be long day . Especially prices of alcohol was too expensive $8- beer and $10- can of woodstock. The Auckland crowd was awesome, this whole event was very colorful everyone supporting their teams. Anyways i enjoy it i believe this event will get better,
Captain Planet
Anthony Quinn
People dressing up was awesome added some humour,and flair , might even catch on each year ..
