NRL Auckland Nines draw announced

Coach Andrew McFadden believes the added pressure on the Warriors as the host team of the 2016 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines will provide the ideal preparation ahead of the NRL premiership campaign.

McFadden's side are yet to win the two-day tournament (they were beaten semifinalists in 2014 and quarter-finalists this year) and have been dealt a tough draw for 2016, with the Bulldogs, Sea Eagles and Broncos named as their opponents in the tough Hunua pool at the official draw in Auckland today.

Former Kangaroos captain and current Queensland State of Origin coach Mal Meninga and Kiwi model Kylie Bax unveiled the draw for the third edition of the Nines, to take place on Waitangi weekend (February 6-7).

"There is more pressure on us but it's a good springboard leading into the NRL season that we have to deal with that," said McFadden. "We've got to stay nice and relaxed. It's [pressure] certainly there and that's something we'll talk about closer to the tournament.

"I wasn't too worried about the draw. Like with any of these competitions, you've got to beat everyone anyway. It looks like a strong draw but we're OK with that."

The four pool groups have again been named after Auckland sites. Three sides from last year's NRL top eight - Sydney Roosters, reigning nines champions South Sydney Rabbitohs and Melbourne Storm - along with the Parramatta Eels will ensure the Waiheke pool will also be hotly contested.

The Newcastle Knights, 2014 inaugural tournament winners and reigning NRL premiers the North Queensland Cowboys, Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers form the Rangitoto pool.

The fourth and final Piha pool consists of the St George Illawarra Dragons, Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans.

With $2.6 million in prizemoney already up for grabs, Nines organisers Duco Events remain in discussions with the NRL about stumping up an extra $1 million bonus for any club that can win the tournament and go on to win next year's NRL premiership.

Clubs are already required to include at least one of their top-five paid players and 12 of their top 25, but the lure of any added reward should see an increase in the number of big names attending.

The Warriors are expected to field a strong team including new marquee signings Issac Luke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, as well as halfback Shaun Johnson, who plans to make his return from his season-ending ankle injury at the tournament.

"I'd like to think that all three will play," said McFadden. "Shaun's probably the biggest doubt there. He's got to make sure he's 100 per cent going into that.

"The other two, as long as they've pulled through the Kiwis tour well, they should be fit enough to take their place and it will be a great opportunity for them both to pull on the Warriors jersey for the first time."

Meninga is confident the Warriors have the talent to overcome the burden of expectation in front of their home crowd and says they have the roster to be title contenders.

"They want to be successful and that's like the other 15 clubs, but they'll be up there because they've got the physicality, talent and skills to be very competitive and win the Nines," he said.

"If they use the players like Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke, they're in with a great show to win the competition."

2016 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park - Waitangi Weekend February 6 and 7
- All 16 NRL Clubs together in Auckland
- 31 games
- Nine players per team, nine minute halves
- $2.6 million in prize money
- Over 90,000 fans expected over two days

Pool Waiheke
Roosters
Rabbitohs
Eels
Storm

Pool Hunua
Warriors
Broncos
Bulldogs
Sea Eagles

Pool Rangitoto
Knights
Cowboys
Panthers
Tigers

Pool Piha
Dragons
Raiders
Sharks
Titans