There were plenty of highlights on and off the field at the second edition of the NRL Auckland Nines tournament. David Skipwith rates the best moments at Eden Park.
The NRL Auckland Nines ended on a high last night, with crowds treated to a thrilling extra-time final at Eden Park.
Martin Snedden, chief executive of promotions company Duco Events which runs the tournament, said the Rabbitohs' 18-14 victory over the Sharks had been a great finish to the weekend.
Ticket sales reached 43,000 - slightly below the stadium capacity of about 46,000.
"Crowds were really well behaved. It was great, it was just a lovely feeling in the stadium," Mr Snedden said. The high-level of football had been fantastic, he said.
The Dragons' Joel Thompson scores ones of the tournament's best try against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Photo / Brett Phibbs
"The crowds were generally well behaved, with police assisting Eden Park security when dealing with a comparatively small amount of intoxication and unacceptable behaviour," Inspector Peter Gibson said yesterday.
There were only five arrests, including two for a booze-fuelled pitch invasion.
27 spectators at the NRL event were evicted yesterday.
On Saturday, the same number of people were evicted from Eden Park and three were arrested.
Mr Gibson said two of yesterday's arrests were due to pitch invasions and those arrested would face charges under the Major Events Management Act.
"While their decision to run on to the pitch was ill-considered, alcohol definitely had a role to play in that decision making process," Mr Gibson said.
The Inspector said stadium management and security closely watched alcohol consumption and "were proactive" in limiting access to bars as the day progressed.
- additional reporting John Weekes, NZME.
Best try Day two began with an entertaining game between the Parramatta Eels and St George Dragons. Both teams scored some brilliant tries to lift the crowd's spirits on a grey and dreary morning.
The try of the tournament came midway through the second-half when Parramatta halfback Chris Sandow burst on to a beautiful ball from big Tepai Moeroa, before firing out a pin-point pass for a flying Reece Robinson to race 35m to score.
Best pass The best pass followed soon after when the Dragons' Etonia Nabuli flicked the ball hopefully over his right shoulder for captain and former Kiwis and Blues player, Benji Marshall, to catch and dive over the line to score the match-winning try.
Best match The best pool play match came late on day one when the Dragons escaped with a heart-stopping 25-21 win over Manly. The brave Sea Eagles had fought back from a 0-15 deficit and looked to have the game in the bag before Nabuli raced in to score and secure the win.
Image 1 of 14: Rugby League fans during the NRL Auckland Nines played at Eden Park. Photo / Dean Purcell.
Best win Any victory over Australia is a thing to celebrate, so a big hand to the Black Ferns who beat the Australian women's nines team 16-4 in a fantastic match yesterday, following up their 8-4 win from Saturday. A moment to savour.
Best selfies? Too many to choose from. Everywhere you looked there were people posting selfies to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and everywhere else.
The best? Possibly the hard work put in by Warriors captain Shaun Johnson, who was happy to jump into photos with fans. Honourable mention: Sir Peter Leitch, the Mad Butcher, and his camera-wielding fans.
Best costume The most memorable was a bridal gown, complete with flowing train, worn casually by a female punter on day one.
Injured Warriors player Konrad Hurrell also cut a striking figure in his black and yellow lycra body suit, headband and spectacles, which prompted fashion-conscious club owner Eric Watson to tweet a revealing picture. Former Warriors captain Monty Betham was also hard to miss on the sidelines, as he went about fulfilling his media commitments in tartan shorts, a short sleeved shirt, a bowtie and suspenders.
Image 1 of 20: Manu Vatuvei. Photo / Michael Craig
Best of the rest Some people braved the heat and humidity to wear full costumes all weekend. And the joy spilled out across Auckland with colourful costumes through the city on Saturday night. Special mentions? The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the colourful audience belly dancers, the energetic Power Rangers, jihadis, police and escaped prisoners.
Best quote Rabbitohs and Kiwis hooker Isaac Luke laughed when asked how he was enjoying being back on home soil. "I love being back home," Luke smiled. "I've been secretly grabbing those Whittaker's milk chocolate bars that go in Lewis Road Creamery milk. Nah, I've been asking about them, but I think the Mad Butcher is helping me out there."
