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Johnathan Thurston backs plans to take NRL Nines away from Auckland

Michael Chammas

1. Will the Nines be played in Auckland beyond 2018?

It's almost certain next year's tournament at Eden Park will be the last in Auckland. The NRL has its sights set on Melbourne, with chief executive Todd Greenberg reluctant to commit to New Zealand beyond the final year of its contract with tournament organisers, Duco Events. "We have a five-year contract here [until 2018] and we plan to honour that," Greenberg said. "The second thing I'd say is Nines has a massive future inside rugby league. Where we decide to play those games and when we decide to play those games are all things being considered right now. But Nines has a future, certainly at the elite level, and certainly at the participation and grassroots level. We plan to grow it as best we can." Johnathan Thurston has also backed plans to take the tournament away from Auckland, adamant they could grow the sport in other regions. "It started here but it would be great to take it to other places in Australia and let those communities experience what the Nines is all about. It's a great weekend ... It would be nice if they could take it to other communities. We've got to try and bring new fans to the game and this is the perfect way."

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NRL star Ben Barba has signed a deal with French rugby powerhouse Toulon until the end of the season. Vision courtesy Seven Network.

2. Who is the team to beat?

How can you go past a team that's brought Johnathan Thurston, Jason Taumalolo and Michael Morgan across the ditch? The North Queensland Cowboys, who won the first Nines tournament in 2014, will be hard to beat. It seems all the Queensland teams have given the Nines tournament the respect it deserves, with Jarryd Hayne's Gold Coast Titans and Darius Boyd's Brisbane Broncos expected to challenge for the title.

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3. Can the Eels defend their title?

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur is well aware of the positive effect winning the Nines had on his team last season. While they were later stripped of the title, Arthur insists the experience and camaraderie from their Nines victory transpired into what was an impressive start to the NRL season despite it being hijacked by the salary cap crisis that engulfed the club. The rugby-bound Semi Radradra will play his last Nines tournament, but it's last year's player of the tournament, Corey Norman, and top try scorer, Bevan French, who hold the key for the Eels. Expect them to at least reach the semi-finals. "There's a lot of good rosters out there," Hayne said. "Parra will be tough, the Sharks brough a good squad over. It's nine minutes so with a bounce of the ball anything can happen." 

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4. Which young gun should you look out for?

Two of the most gifted young players in rugby league will be on display in Auckland this weekend. Mosese Suli, the Wests Tigers teenager who has just become the highest-paid player yet to play NRL. Suli signed a three-year extension, believed to be worth $1.3 million, to remain at the Tigers. The deal is all the more remarkable given he has made just two National Youth Competition appearances. The other young sensation is Cowboys superstar Kaylan Ponga, who inked a lucrative multimillion dollar deal to join Newcastle from next season. His footwork is in the Roger Tuivasa-Sheck category.

​5. Will Johnathan Thurston spend much time on the paddock in his Nines debut?

Don't expect Cowboys coach Paul Green to take too many chances with Thurston. He's likely to play most of the first game but might not feature again unless the Cowboys feature deep on the second day. "The coach hasn't said how many minutes I'll play. But once I get out there, I'll probably want to play every game," Thurston said. "He'll probably hook me. It's a hectic pre-season schedule but we just need to get through it." Thurston wasn't part of the Cowboys' Nines triumph in its first season and admitted it was something he wished he was part of. "No I didn't play and the boys remind me often," he said. "I experienced on the sidelines last year watching the boys play and it looks like a lot of fun."

6. Which blast from the past will make a return to rugby league in the Nines?

Blast from the past: Brad Fittler in 2014.

Blast from the past: Brad Fittler in 2014. Photo: Hannah Peters

We've had Brad Fittler put on a Roosters jersey and Jason Croker don the Raiders jersey at the Auckland Nines. Now Kiwi legend Ruben Wiki will come out of retirement for a brief stint at Eden Park. The 44-year-old remains in pristine condition and arguably looked the fittest of all the 16 captains who turned out for the launch of the tournament on Friday morning. You don't want to run into those shoulders.

7. Which players will likely make up the team of the tournament?

Anthony Milford (Broncos), Kalyn Ponga (Cowboys), Bevan French (Eels), Jarryd Hayne (Titans), Corey Norman (Eels), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Marty Taupau (Sea Eagles), Ryan James (Titans).

8. Which teams will be on the first plane home?

It's hard to see the Tigers, Panthers, Sea Eagles, Dragons and Rabbitohs getting past the group stage. The Bulldogs have never sent a side over worthy of contending, but they might just get through to the knockout stage this year if Jim Dymock (Des Hasler is again a no show) gives his best players some game time.

9. When does the tournament begin and how much is it worth.

Jarryd Hayne will open the tournament when his Titans take on the premiers Cronulla in the first match on Saturday (10am AEDT). Every team will play twice on the opening day before running out for their final group match on Sunday. The top two teams of each of the four pools will head into the quarter-finals, with the final to be held at 4.40pm (AEDT). There is a total of $2.3 million in prizemoney up for grabs, which includes $370,000 for the champions. Interestingly clubs earn $100,000 for winning the NRL minor premiership and $400,000 for the title after 30 weeks of the year.

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