Star Recruits on Show at Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines

Star Recruits on Show at Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines

Rugby League fans will get an opportunity to see some of the game’s biggest off-season signings in action this weekend with Sam Tomkins (Warriors), Ben Barba (Broncos), Lote Tuqiri (Rabbitohs), Jamie Soward (Panthers) and Corey Norman (Eels) all confirmed today to play in the inaugural Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park.

For the first time, 256 players from all 16 NRL Clubs will compete at the one venue, over one weekend, playing 31 matches in an exciting nine-a-side knockout tournament with NZD $2.6 million prize money before a capacity crowd of more than 90,000 fans over the two days.

All Clubs confirmed their 16-man squads today as teams make the final preparations to be part of the week-long celebration of Rugby League in New Zealand.

Each of the teams competing in the Nines will visit an Auckland Junior Rugby League Club on Thursday afternoon in the biggest grass-roots blitz ever in NZ. All but one of the appearances will occur two days out from the tournament, with the only exception being the Titans’ journey to Hibiscus Coast tomorrow (Wednesday).

On the eve of the tournament on Friday, all 16 NRL Nines Captains and Coaches will attend the Captain and Coach Breakfast at the Pullman Auckland; followed by the Aotea Civic Reception at the Aotea Centre in the Auckland CBD to welcome all 256 players from the 16 teams.

The 2014 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines is part of one of the biggest sporting and cultural weekends on Auckland’s Major Events calendar with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) also hosting rap artist Eminem’s concert at Western Springs and the Auckland Lantern Festival celebrating Chinese New Year in Albert Park this weekend.

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