St George Illawarra Dragons prop Jack de Belin proudly unveiled their NRL Auckland Nines jersey ahead of the tournament at Eden Park, in February.
The Dragons will be wearing a special red livery for the carnival-like tournament which will mark the first and only time in 2016 that all clubs will compete at the same ground on the same day.
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The Dragons have been included in the Piha Pool alongside the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Gold Coast Titans and Canberra Raiders in the two-day tournament to be staged on Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7.
“The NRL Nines is always a good way to start the pre-season and really hits home for all the players that the new Premiership season is just around the corner,” said de Belin.
“I am really hoping to be part of the travelling squad selected by Head Coach Paul McGregor as I was forced to watch from the sidelines in last pre-season’s corresponding fixture.
“The atmosphere is unreal and everyone gets into the mood so it will definitely be a good show for all the fans.”
All 16 NRL teams will enter the tournament which carries prize money of more than $AU2.4 million.
The teams, which have nine players, are split into the four pools and play nine minute halves.
The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage of the tournament before the two top teams play in the final.
Full details on the tournament schedule will be confirmed at a later date.
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Pools:
Piha: St George Illawarra Dragons, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Gold Coast Titans, Canberra Raiders.
Rangitoto: Newcastle Knights, North Queensland Cowboys, Penrith Panthers, Wests Tigers.
Waiheke: Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Parramatta Eels, Melbourne Storm.
Hunua: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, New Zealand Warriors, Brisbane Broncos.
