A host of former Super League and NRL stars will feature in the hugely popular Nines Premier League this weekend.
Whilst Nines isn’t a format that has ever truly taken off in England, it’s growing in popularity in Australia and part of the reason for that is the Nines Premier League event that will take place this weekend.
It will mark the fourth year that the competition has been held and it will feature 16 teams with 12 of those qualifying via their 2025 performance and the final four winning their spot in recent qualifiers.
With the NRL yet to start down under, this comp provides a perfect rugby league fix for fans and luckily for them, there are some genuine stars on show with a host of ex-Super League and NRL players.
Among those whose names stand out for an NRL audience are Jarryd Hayne, Todd Carney and James Maloney, with the latter two having played in Super League, but there are a number of other huge names.
Super League and NRL veterans pack out Nines comp
The RLPA have the most star-studded squad and they will surely be the favourites to win the competition. Former Leigh Leopards man Matt Moylan will pull the strings whilst fellow former Super League stars Justin Horo, Chris McQueen, Clint Newton, Kevin Proctor, Ricky Leutele and Korbin Sims all feature.
They’ve certainly got the most packed squad but United SC have the Fifita brothers, Andrew and David, as well as ex-Leeds Rhinos man Blake Austin.
Former Wigan full-back Matty Bowen will play alongside Hull FC outside back Mahe Fonua for the EZ Squad whilst former Leeds Rhinos man Joel Moon will play for the Arthur Beetson Foundation.
Ex-Catalans man James Maloney spoke to Fox Sports on how special the event was: “It’s a real social weekend because you catch up with so many guys you haven’t seen for a long time and see how they’re going. It’s an awesome atmosphere.
“I’m the old fellow so the pressure is all on them young boys, so I’m looking forward to coming up against those guys that are a bit loud on Instagram.”
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