Chris Rattue writes: This is a chance for the Government to show that it governs for all footy followers and play a part in helping ensure the Nines remains here.

Australian cities could get to bid for the NRL Auckland Nines rugby league tournament when the contract comes up for renewal next year.

Australia is preparing a raid on the lucrative Auckland NRL Nines tournament - but is being warned to keep its hands off.

The Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines hit town on Friday, and the build-up begins in the city before the action heads over to Eden Park. Last year more than 90,000 fans packed the stadium; 5000 fans made it into the city for the opening party.

Preparations are well under way for the NRL Auckland Nines, which kicks off on January 31, with seven large banners being put up around Auckland ahead of the event.

Benji Marshall will make his return to Eden Park as captain of the St George Illawarra Dragons at the NRL Auckland Nines this month.

Warring Warriors owners Eric Watson and Sir Owen Glenn will be kept on opposite sides of Eden Park when they attend the NRL Auckland Nines at the end of this month.

The NRL Auckland Nines might be the brainchild of Dean Lonergan, but Australian league legend Mal Meninga is the man who convinced him that the concept was a winner.

Street thug Russell Packer has done the time, or half of it thanks to a successful appeal. Yet his crime was so vicious the NRL would be crazy to let him walk straight through the prison gates and into their playing ranks.

There were just two arrests for intoxication over two days at last year's sold-out inaugural Auckland NRL Nines tournament.

The small but perfectly formed NFL season is a classic example of how to turn less into more. Much more. It's a lesson some of our major sports codes would do well to imitate.

Blake Ferguson will be required to attend monthly welfare meetings with the NRL and Roosters officials next season to ensure his career never spirals out of control again.

Golden Boot winner Shaun Johnson describes winning the prestigious award as a "massive honour" but predicts the best is yet to come in his league career.

Auckland City's public spaces will be transformed into 'fanzones' to allow the public to fully engage with a bumper summer of international events.

The Warriors hope Kieran Foran will want to move across the Tasman because the club, as flamboyant co-owner Eric Watson says, is about to embark on a period of excellence.

Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne has reportedly trained with the Detroit Lions for the second time, increasing speculation he's set to be offered a deal by the NFL club.

The Warriors' ability to win on the road will be put under thorough inspection next year with the club facing successive away games at the start and end of next year's campaign.

The Warriors will play the Gold Coast Titans in a historic Anzac Day clash at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, as part of the NRL's tribute to the 100th anniversary.

New Warriors signing Bodene Thompson expects to face some strong competition to secure a place in the club's 18-man NRL Auckland Nines squad.