In the past players such as Steve Menzies, Brad Fittler, Ken Nagas and Matt King have wound back the clock to lace on the boots again at the Nines. King scored the match-winning try for the Rabbitohs in last year's tournament. This year, Cowboys dynamo Matt Bowen headlines a list of returning stars along with Braith Anasta, who will captain the Roosters, while Jason Croker will pull on the Raiders jersey for the first time since 2006 at the ripe old age of 42. Anasta said he was feeling the pressure after Fittler produced a trademark intercept in his return for the Roosters in 2014. "The pressure is on," Anasta said. "Everyone has asked me about that intercept. 'Freddy' [Fittler] is a freak and I love him. Don't expect me to take any intercepts. I'm not too worried about the games, it's how I recover. Fox Sports want me to play ever game because they are going to mic me up. I could be in a wheelchair playing on Sunday. To come back as an old man is a bit of fun."

Innovation

For the first time in the tournament's history there will be a "free play" rule. The rule will allow teams to go unpunished if they make an error on a zero tackle. It means teams will throw the ball around without fear of losing possession. If they do make an error, play will restart where the opposition made the first infringement.

Young guns

This is a chance for some of the game's best and brightest players to become household names. Those such as excitement machines Latrell Mitchell, Brad Abbey and Gideon Gela-Mosby could make their mark with impressive performances. It also gives the budding first-graders an insight into life at the elite level.

Footy is back, baby

Sick of the cricket, tennis or "celebrities" stuck on islands? For the long-suffering rugby league fan, footy is back. It has been a long wait since Johnathan Thurston's boot propelled the Cowboys to a history-making grand final win, but the wait is over with the Auckland Nines signalling the start of the footy season. "We're sick of bashing each other so it'll be fun to have a go at someone else," says Manly back-rower Feleti Mateo.

Space and pace

Four fewer players on the field naturally creates more exciting rugby league. Unlike the rugby sevens, where it is all about throwing the ball around, teams have quickly learnt in the nines that you need to still play structured football before setting yourself to shift the ball wide. Nine players allows a perfect blend of traditional and expansive football. Penrith hooker James Segeyaro is set to place in his first Nines tournament. "I'm pretty excited," Segeyaro said. "I had a little bit of a run at training and there is a lot of room and it is very, very fast. Hopefully the interchanges are a minute on and a minute off because I was stuffed."

First look at new recruits

While some of the biggest off-season purchases such as Parramatta duo Michael Jennings and Kieran Foran won't be risked some clubs will trot out some of their new faces. Warriors fans will get a chance to see Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in his new colours, while other new recruits include Chad Townsend (Cronulla), Kurt Mann (St George Illawarra) and Joe Burgess (Roosters).

Please don't let it be me

The fear of injury is real. And it is inevitable that a player will suffer a season-ending injury because of the number of games being played across the weekend. Luke Keary's torn pectoral almost cost him a premiership in 2014, while last year Kaysa Pritchard (pectoral) and Fa'amanu Brown (knee) missed large chunks of the season. You can only hope that it won't be your club. Jamie Buhrer and Shaun Johnson will make their returns from serious injuries at the tournament.

It's all about the money, money, money

While some teams take it more seriously than others, the more than $2 million prize pool makes it an attractive proposition for some clubs. Losses can sting too. Ask the Cronulla players who were left heartbroken by their golden point finals defeat to South Sydney last year. With some clubs doing it tough, the extra cash comes in handy. Meanwhile, there are suggestions the promoters of the Auckland Nines could tip in $1 million should teams win the two-day tournament and the NRL title in the same season.

Fun times

This is rugby league's answer to Twenty20 cricket. Expecting a sell-out crowd at rugby union heartland Eden Park, the fans will dress up, for what is a carnival-like atmosphere. Another successful tournament could again see calls for an expanded competition with rumblings that the tournament could be shifted to a new market.

How it works

Teams are divided into four pools, playing two games on Saturday and at least one on Sunday.

Top two teams progress into quarter-finals with the final to be played on Sunday.

Pool Hunua: Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Warriors, Broncos
Pool Waiheke: Roosters, Rabbitohs, Eels, Storm
Pool Rangitoto: Knights, Cowboys, Panthers, Tigers
Pool Piha: Dragons, Raiders, Sharks, Titans