Who can still make the quarter-finals and who is already out of contention after day one of the 2017 Downer NRL Auckland Nines?
Waiheke Pool
Titans: Undefeated and on top of the Waiheke Pool after day one, a win against the Panthers in the second game of Day 2 will ensure Gold Coast remain on top going into the quarter-final match-ups. A loss and the Panthers would leapfrog them. If the Titans top their pool they will face the team that finishes second in the Piha Pool – either the Eels or Sea Eagles.
Panthers: Like the Titans, guaranteed passage through to the quarter-finals courtesy of wins against the Sharks and Bulldogs. The winner of their third round match against the Titans will finish top of the Waiheke Pool while the loser will face the team that tops the Piha Pool – either the Eels or Sea Eagles.
Bulldogs: Have missed the finals for the fourth year in succession after going down to both the Panthers (28-18) and Titans (17-10) on Day 1. Will play for pride when they meet the Sharks who are also winless after two games.
Sharks: Not a great start to 2017 for the Telstra Premiership defending champions with a heavy 25-4 loss to the Titans in the first game of the tournament putting them on the back foot from the outset. Lost 16-14 in a tight tussle with the Panthers and are only playing for pride on Sunday.
Piha Pool
Eels: Parramatta have booked their place in the quarter-finals courtesy of two convincing wins on Day 1. A win over Manly in the final pool match will secure top spot and a date with either the Panthers or Titans in the quarter-finals.
Sea Eagles: Manly have progressed to the final eight for the second year in a row following wins over the Warriors and Dragons. Top spot in the pool is up for grabs if they can beat the red-hot Eels, but a loss will mean they finish second.
Warriors: The hosts have missed the finals for the first time in Auckland Nines history after back-to-back losses on the opening day. They will be playing for pride on Sunday when they take on the Dragons in a battle for third spot.
Dragons: The Red V have missed out on the finals for the fourth year in a row after suffering a pair of defeats on Saturday. The Dragons leaked 55 points against the Eels and Sea Eagles and will need to beat the hosts in their final pool game if they want to avoid finishing last for the third time in three years.
Rangitoto Pool
Broncos: A perfect two-from-two record for Brisbane guarantees their passage into the quarter-finals with a win against Wests Tigers on Day 2 all that is needed to wrap up top spot on the table. With a points differential currently 26 points better than second-placed Newcastle, Brisbane could lose to the Tigers and still top their pool.
Knights: After a win against Wests Tigers and a loss to the Broncos, Newcastle must beat the Storm in order to move through into the finals. As they have a one-point better points differential, a draw with the Storm would also be enough to make the finals.
Storm: A 14-6 win over the Wests Tigers on Saturday afternoon kept the Storm's chances of a quarter-finals berth alive after an earlier loss to the red-hot Broncos team. The equation is now simply a win over the Knights in their final pool match in order to progress.
Wests Tigers: The young Tigers won't be playing finals football in February this year after defeats to the Knights and Storm on Saturday.
Hunua Pool
Cowboys: One of the most impressive teams on Day 1, with two big wins over the Roosters and Raiders. With a positive points difference of 41, the Cowboys have all but topped this pool with one game remaining against the Rabbitohs.
Roosters: Easily beaten by the Cowboys but bounced back against the Rabbitohs in the last game of the day. The equation is simple for the Rosoters on Sunday - beat the Raiders and they will play Nines finals footy.
Raiders: Exactly like the Roosters, the Raiders were thrashed by the Cowboys but beat the Rabbitohs on Day 1. A last-gasp try in their opening game against Souths has lept them in finals contention. A win over the Roosters on Sunday will see them progress to the knockout stage.
Rabbitohs: The 2015 Auckland Nines champions are out of the 2017 tournament at the first hurdle. A heartbreaking, last-minute loss to the Raiders combined with defeat against the Roosters sees them play only for pride against the red-hot Cowboys on Sunday.
