The long wait is over as Rugby League returns to our TV screens this weekend with the Auckland Nines kicking off the 2016 NRL season. We take a look at the tournament and offer our 2016 Auckland Nines betting tips.
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2016 Auckland Nines - Tournament Winner
The NRL Auckland Nines return this weekend for the third annual event and there is a lot of prize money up for grabs giving players and clubs a lot of incentive to leave Auckland victorious.
This year the New Zealand Warriors will head into the tournament as favourites as they have an incredibly strong line up with two of the fastest and most agile players in the league playing on the same team in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Shaun Johnson. It will be Tuivasa-sheck’s debut for the Warriors and he is coming off a breakout season with the Roosters. They will be hard to beat and are almost a certainty to progress through the group stage as their three opposition teams have sent weaker squads with a lot of younger players.
The defending champions the South Sydney Rabbitohs aren’t considered a threat to go back-to-back as they will be without their two halves as well as superstar Greg Inglis. However the defending NRL champions the North Queensland Cowboys have sent an incredibly strong squad as they have the majority of their first grade squad except for the current Dally M winner Johnathon Thurston. Club legend Matthew Bowen will be taking part in the tournament and he showed in last year’s Super League Grand Final he still has a lot of speed to burn. Jake Granville, Michael Morgan and Lachlan Coote are also speedsters and will cause constant threats for the oppositions defences whilst the wrecking ball Jason Tuamalolo could be the x-factor required. We are backing the Cowboys to win their second Nines title in three years.
TIP: Cowboys @ $5.50 with Crownbet
2016 Auckland Nines - Tournament Roughie
The Penrith Panthers are coming off a disastrous 2015 season where avoided the wooden spoon with a win in the last round. However, a lot of that can be contributed to the numerous injuries they have suffered over the past two season to key players. Their nines squad is full of young, athletic, skillful and fast players that will excel in the tournament format. Their backs of DZE, Josh Mansour, Robert Jennings and Waqa Blake are all speedsters with William Smith being an exceptionally quick player that has incredible footwork. James Segeyaro is also likely to make an impact with Bryce Cartwright one of the most skilful forwards in the game. If you are looking for a dark horse to emerge above the pack than there is no selection better than the Panthers.
TIP: Panthers @ $12.00 with Palmerbet
Top Tournament Try Scorer
The Parramatta Eels Fijian flyer Semi Radradra heads into the Auckland Nines as the tournament favourite and rightfully so after picking up 24 tries in 18 matches in the 2015 NRL season. The Eels are playing in one of the weaker groups and it is likely for the side to progress and even more likely for the speedster to be leading the way in tries scored for his team. However, if you are looking for a bit more value than go no further than Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. The Fullback will want to put on a solid display for his new team and with Shaun Johnson likely to create a lot of opportunities, he could be on the receiving end of a lot of easy tries with his support play.
TIP: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck @ $14.00 with Sportsbet
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Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
