Wests Tigers stars James Tedesco and Aaron Woods are each hoping to start next season off with another crack at the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines in February after being forced to miss this year's tournament for different reasons.
Tickets for the most thrilling event in rugby league can be purchased through the NRL on www.nrl.com/tickets (further details below).
Prop Woods missed out this year because he was having a break after representing Australia in the Four Nations tournament and Tedesco wasn't yet ready to play because he was still recovering from injury - but they each played in the 2014 Nines and had a ball.
"It was really good fun, I loved it," Woods says. "I really enjoyed my time over there. It's quick, but it's really enjoyable and it sure beats training in the pre-season. Make a few runs, make a few tackles, have a bit of fun - if I get a start I'll look forward to it."
Flying fullback Tedesco is made for Nines football, with the extra room in which to move.
"I played the first one and it was awesome," he says. "It's great for me - there's a lot of space to attack in. I couldn't do it last year because of my injury, but if I play in the next one I'll love being a part of it. It's good for rugby league and the atmosphere is great - all the crowd really get into it."
The 2016 event will be held at Eden Park in Auckland on 6-7 February and tickets to "The Greatest Weekend" are now available at prices ranging from just $NZD69 (approx. $AUD61) for a two-day pass.
Tickets for children are available at half the adult price in most categories.
The biggest stars in the NRL, representing all 16 clubs, will again be playing in the event - including superstars Billy Slater and Shaun Johnson, who have each nominated the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines as their comeback date from major injuries that ended their 2015 NRL seasons early.
It is going to be a great opportunity for league fans to see the best players in the game exercising their super skills on an open field.
There is nothing like this tournament for excitement, with NRL teams facing up against NRL teams in quick succession over one action-packed weekend leading up to the final prize.
The fans will also be able to get up close and personal and watch teams go through their warm-ups for games on the number one field.
There will be a whopping $NZ2.6 million in prizemoney up for grabs at the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines. Don't miss it. This is your chance to see the greatest rugby league players in the world really turning it on for the fans.
BOOK NOW:
TRAVEL PACKAGES ALSO ON-SALE
3 x night packages incl airfares, transfers, accomm and 2 x day ticket from $1,399 pp
4 x night packages incl airfares, transfers, accomm and 2 x day ticket $1,464 pp
5 x night packages incl airfares, transfers, accomm and 2 x day ticket from $1,554 pp
Quote your club WESTS TIGERS when you book your travel package:
For enquiries:
https://www.sportsnetholidays.com/events/rugby-league/auckland-nines/
