Auckland Nines: Oz players in line for big Kiwi welcome

Australian rugby league players have been pouring into Auckland before tomorrow's kickoff of the first NRL Nines tournament at Eden Park.

Players from 15 Australian NRL sides were whisked off from the airport to meet fans at league clubs across the city last night.

Today will be even more frantic, starting with a breakfast at the Pullman Hotel for captains and coaches of all 16 NRL clubs, and including harbour cruises and a civic reception at the Aotea Centre to be hosted by Auckland Mayor Len Brown with chief executives of the league and corporate sponsor Dick Smith.

Thousands of fans are expected from 12.15pm at Aotea Square to give the visitors "a big Kiwi welcome" and queue for autographs from their favourite players after the reception.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are in town and will be doing a workshop. Photo / Sarah Ivey

About 40 junior league players from the Glenfield Greyhounds will get special treatment this afternoon at a workshop being held by Kiwi-born film star Russell Crowe's South Sydney Rabbitohs team at North Harbour Stadium.

The tournament of 31 games will start at midday tomorrow with pool draws, in which each team will play two matches. Day two from 12.30pm on Sunday starts with a third round of pool play, to be followed by quarter-finals, semifinals and finals.

Parking restrictions will be in force over a large area around Eden Park on both days.

What you need to know

•Event at Eden Park

•Gates open at 10.30am each day

•Games start at 12pm tomorrow and 12.30pm on Sunday

•Games have two 9-minutes halves

•More than 256 players, 16 teams, nine players a game, 31 games

•90,000 fans expected

•Travel on trains and buses is included with your match ticket

•Dressing up is permitted but not compulsory