By COREY ROSSER
The Sportsafe ARL Nines get underway this Saturday, with 12 Auckland clubs set to battle it out for early bragging rights at Stanmore Bay on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast.
This year marks the fourth edition of the tournament, with reigning champions Pt Chevalier returning to defend their Championship title and Otahuhu, who won last year’s Plate, back as well.
In 2018 four Auckland clubs, the Te Atatu Roosters, East Coast Bays Barracudas, Waitemata Seagulls and the Franklin Storm, will be competing at the event for the first time.
A total of 17 games will be available to stream live online at aucklandleague.co.nz, with a 10.00am start and finals scheduled to kick-off at 5.00pm.
Must-see games: Traditional first-division contenders Mt Albert and Pt Chevalier open the tournament at 10.00am, in a match that will see a number of players take the field in new club colours, while Keith Hanley will debut as the Lions’ head coach. Watch out also for Glenora v Howick at 10.25am and the Franklin Storm’s first competitive game at 10.50am against Waitemata.
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
10.00am | Mt Albert Lions v Pt Chevalier Pirates
10.25am | Glenora Bears v Howick Hornets
10.50am | East Coast Bays Barracudas v Papakura Sea Eagles
11.15am | Te Atatu Roosters v Mt Albert Lions
11.40am | Mangere East Hawks v Franklin Storm
12.05pm | Hibiscus Coast Raiders v East Coast Bays Barracudas
12.30pm | Otahuhu Leopards v Glenora Bears
12.55pm | Te Atatu Roosters v Waitemata Seagulls
1.20pm | Franklin Storm v Pt Chevalier Pirates
1.45pm | Otahuhu Leopards v East Coast Bays Barracudas
2.15pm | Papakura Sea Eagles v Howick Hornets
2.45pm | Hibiscus Coast Raiders v Glenora Bears
3.05pm | Otahuhu Leopards v Papakura Sea Eagles
3.30pm | Waitemata Seagulls v Mangere East Hawks
3.55pm | Te Atatu Roosters v Pt Chevalier Pirates
5.00pm | Plate semi-final
5.30pm | Championship semi-final
6.00pm | Plate final
6.40pm | Championship final
This article was originally issued as a media release by the Auckland Rugby League
