The NRL Nines tournament returns after a three year absence with Perth hosting the 2020 edition. Our Rugby League expert takes a look at the competition and the favourites to win it.
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The NRL Nines was founded in 2014 with the first tournament taking place at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand. The 2014 event was a huge success with North Queensland Cowboys winning the first one after beating Brisbane Broncos in the Final.
The next three years saw the tournament continue in Auckland with South Sydney Rabbitohs winning the Final in extra-time against Cronulla Sharks in 2015. Parramatta Eels defeated New Zealand Warriors in 2016 only to have the title stripped off them for a breach of the salary cap. The final tournament saw Sydney Roosters win it for the first time when they beat Penrith Panthers.
The Nines tournament returns in 2020, but this time it will be staged at the Perth Oval (HBF Park) in Perth. All 16 NRL teams will be represented with a mixture of first-team players, youngsters and the odd legend.
The tournament is held over two days on February 14 and 15 with a prize total of $1 million (Aus) on offer, while there will be an extra $1 million on offer if a team wins both the Perth Nines and the NRL Grand Final in 2020.
There is a women’s competition as well with Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons, New Zealand Warriors and Sydney Roosters all taking part.
Men’s Tournament:
The men’s tournament is split into four pools with four teams competing in each. The two top teams will qualify for the quarter-finals with a normal knockout competition taking place to see who will perform in the Final.
Pool 1
Penrith Panthers
New Zealand Warriors
Sydney Roosters
Newcastle Knights
Pool 2
Canterbury Bulldogs
St George Illawarra
Parramatta Eels
Cronulla Sharks
Pool 3
Canberra Raiders
Wests Tigers
Gold Coast Titans
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Pool 4
North Queensland Cowboys
Melbourne Storm
Brisbane Broncos
Manly Sea Eagles
Women’s Tournament:
The four teams will play against each other once with the top two teams then going up against each other in the Final.
Women’s Pool
St George Illawarra
Sydney Roosters
Brisbane Broncos
New Zealand Warriors
NRL Perth Nines Predictions & Tips
Anthing can happen in a nines tournament. The pitch is still full-length, but each team are short four players. Bonus point tries are scored under the posts, while conversions have to be taken like a field goal. Each half is nine minutes long.
NRL Perth Nines Tips – Perth Nines Winner: Brisbane Broncos @ 11/2 William Hill
The Broncos featured in the first ever NRL Nines Final as they went down 16-7 to Queensland rivals North Queensland Cowboys at Eden Park. They have not reached the Final since, but this year they have a strong looking squad. They have opted to leave out the likes of Alex Glenn and Xavier Coates, but there are places for Kotoni Staggs and teenager Brendan Piakura. The Broncos legend coming out of retirement is Corey Parker. He might not be able to go full length any more, but his experience will be a massive plus for Brisbane. One player to definitely look out for is Tesi Niu. The 18-year-old is part of the Broncos development squad and was part of the Tonga Test team that beat Great Britain last year. He has electric pace- something you need in the Nines – and he will love playing on such an open field where he can stretch his legs.
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NRL Perth Nines Tips – Bold Prediction: St George Illawarra Dragons @ 25/1 William Hill
St George Illawarra are not the force they once were – that much is obvious. Although a nice shiny and trophy and money is up for grabs, this tournament is seen as fun and a way to get players fit and healthy and to see what kind of talent is coming through the ranks. For that reason, the Dragons cannot be written off. They will have experience in the likes of Cameron McInnes, Tim Lafai, Ben Hunt, Tyson Frizell, Korbin Sims and Euan Aitken. Young talent coming through includes Mikaele Ravalawa, Jayden Sullivan, Matt Dufty and Tristan Sailor – sone of league legend Wendell. Dragons legend Jason Nightingale will also make an appearance. St George are taking this one serious and anything can happen during those nine minute halves.
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NRL Perth Nines Team Lists
The Broncos have picked an exciting mix of class, speed and youth for their assault on the NRL Nines.
Team list here:https://t.co/4lcu7TiPwu pic.twitter.com/lPch1KZDUJ— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) February 7, 2020
Here's our squad for the NRL Nines!#WeAreRaiders #NRLNineshttps://t.co/cFslV4Txxw
— Canberra Raiders (@RaidersCanberra) February 10, 2020
The squads have been confirmed for #NRL9s @hbfpark.#proudtobeabulldoghttps://t.co/yMP3BFcoCV
— Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (@NRL_Bulldogs) February 11, 2020
We've named a formidable squad for the #NRL9s in Perth
Take a ? at who's in the side – https://t.co/nR3rCuzEAh#UpUp
— Cronulla Sharks (@Cronulla_Sharks) February 10, 2020
FOOTY IS BACK!
Head Coach Justin Holbrook has released his 18-man squad for the #NRLNines to be held in Perth this weekend.
A good mid mixture of NRL regulars and fresh new faces.
?️▶️ https://t.co/WQom9aEH41 pic.twitter.com/gRBRgQb5Vy
— Gold Coast Titans (@GCTitans) February 10, 2020
FOOTY IS BACK!
Head Coach Justin Holbrook has released his 18-man squad for the #NRLNines to be held in Perth this weekend.
A good mid mixture of NRL regulars and fresh new faces.
?️▶️ https://t.co/WQom9aEH41 pic.twitter.com/gRBRgQb5Vy
— Gold Coast Titans (@GCTitans) February 10, 2020
Our 18-man Nines squad has been announced.
Read more: https://t.co/ny2h1kzKI2#YourStorm pic.twitter.com/WTFupePxO4
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) February 11, 2020
Our jersey numbers for the 9️⃣'s have been confirmed!
? https://t.co/hHnFFykbNo#GoHardGoKnights #NRL #NRL9s
— Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) February 11, 2020
A new captain, three new recruits and plenty of youth named!https://t.co/GcvFYQEhS0#ridemcowboys
— NQ Cowboys (@nthqldcowboys) February 10, 2020
? Eels announce Nines squad!
A strong 18 man squad will head to Perth this week to contest the Nines. See the team: https://t.co/XlT6vhGbye #PARRAdise pic.twitter.com/fiurvUtd3s
— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) February 10, 2020
JUST IN – The Panthers squad to contest the 2020 #NRL9s in Perth has been confirmed!
? https://t.co/wIRxlftFzN#pantherpride ? pic.twitter.com/lEgrosUSlt
— Penrith Panthers (@PenrithPanthers) February 7, 2020
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have named the NRL Nines squad to go to Perth! ?❤️?
View full team ? https://t.co/NvxNB1pin5#GoRabbitohs #OldestProudestLoudest pic.twitter.com/KeqM6Lwn6V
— South Sydney Rabbitohs ? (@SSFCRABBITOHS) February 11, 2020
We're coming in hot, Perth! – https://t.co/VxTFjKtbQg #NRL9s #redv pic.twitter.com/qtZSzmjiFm
— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) February 11, 2020
Your Sydney Roosters Nines Squad has been announced? https://t.co/SJQUXWnnAR#EastsToWin pic.twitter.com/UuaeZ5GhN8
— Sydney Roosters ?? (@sydneyroosters) February 11, 2020
#NRL9s squad ?
READ https://t.co/z5tb2WzFfl pic.twitter.com/yFFZE4quTg
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) February 10, 2020
? Captain Moses Mbye
? The return of @patrichards
? First look at Luciano Leilua
? NRL outside backs galoreYour team for the #NRL9s…
— Wests Tigers (@WestsTigers) February 12, 2020
NRL Perth Nines Tips – Best of the Rest
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