Twelve teams will compete across three categories – open men’s, open women’s and under-18 men’s – in the 2023 League Nines in Paradise this weekend.

The two-day tournament to be played at the National Stadium in Nikao will kick off tomorrow at 3.30pm.

In the fiercely competed open men’s category, defending champions Tupapa Panthers lead Pool A which also has Titikaveka Bulldogs and Arorangi Bears 2.

The domestic 13s season champions Avatiu Nikao Eels are the top seed in Pool B and will face Arorangi Bears 1 and Ngatangiia Sea Eagles.

In the 2022 Nines tournament final, Darren Piri’s Panthers defeated Albert Nicholas’ Eels 23-19 in a closely fought battle.

In the women’s competition, defending champions Lady Bulldogs from Titikaveka will face Lady Bears (Arorangi) and Lady Panthers (Tupapa).

Ngatangiia Sea Eagles, Arorangi Bears and Tupapa Panthers will feature in the U18 men’s competition.

Fixtures

Friday – 3.30pm U18 Sea Eagles-Bears, 3.50pm Women Panthers-Bears, 4.15pm Men - A Bears 2-Bulldogs, 4.40pm Men - B Bears 1-Sea Eagles, 5.05pm U18 Panthers-Bears, 5.30pm Women Bulldogs-Bears, 5.55pm Men - A Panthers-Bulldogs, 6.20pm Men - B Eels-Sea Eagles.

Saturday – 1pm U18 Panthers-Sea Eagles, 1.25pm Women Bulldogs-Panthers, 1.50pm Men - A Panthers-Bears 2, 2.15pm Men - B Eels-Bears 1, 2.40pm U18 2^nd Ranked-3^rd Ranked Loser Placed 3^rd, 3.05pm Women 2nd Ranke-3rd Ranked Loser, Placed 3^rd, 3.30pm Men 1st Ranked PA-2nd Ranked PB Men’s Semi Final, 3.55pm Men 2nd Ranked PA-1st Ranked PB Men’s Semi Final, 4.20pm Men 3rd Ranked PA-3rd Ranked PB Men’s 5th & 6th Placing Match, 4.45pm U18 1st Ranked-Winner Match 13 U18 1st & 2nd Placing Match – Presentation Straight After Match, 5.15pm Women 1st Ranked-Winner Match 14 Women 1st & 2nd Placing Match – Presentation Straight After Match, 5.45pm Men Loser Match 15-Loser Match 16 Men’s 3rd & 4th Placing Match – Presentation Straight After Match, 6.15pm Men Winner Match 15-Winner Match 16 Men’s 1st & 2nd Placing Match.