The Sydney and Brisbane Qualifiers are done.
32 teams entered.
28 teams are finished.
Four qualified to meet the 12 Premier League Teams on the Gold Coast.
The final 16 are set.
And the pools are now locked in for the Gold Coast in January.
So let’s have a look.
Pool 1: Dawgs, Salty Pigs, Reborn, Indigenous Mana
The 2025 grand final replay is happening on day one. Dawgs vs Salty Pigs.
They have history. The Dawgs bounced the Pigs in the 2024 quarterfinals, then beat them again in last year’s decider. Both games were feisty. Neither team forgot them.
Reborn are always one to watch. Semi finalists in 2024. Quarterfinalists in 2025. Brad Takairangi will again field a familiar lineup stacked with players who know this format.
Brisbane Qualifier runners up Indigenous Mana round out the pool. With genuine Nines experience banked, they will cause problems for everyone in it.
Pool 2: Marlins, United SC, RLPA, FTA
Tai “Bam Bam” Tuivasa’s FTA land in a heavyweight Nines pool. The Sydney Qualifier runners up run straight into three seasoned Nines outfits.
North Coast Marlins get a third crack at United SC.
In 2025, the Marlins led 20–0 at halftime and were staring down one of the biggest upsets in Nines history. Then United flicked the switch. United 26, Marlins 20. Still hurts.
RLPA made a serious jump last season. From easybeats in 2024 to semi finalists in 2025. They’ve recruited well again and are hunting players fresh off professional contracts.
Pool 3: Sharks, Arthur Beatson Foundation, Legacy, Te Ao Mārama
Two-time champions Southern Sharks barely scraped into the finals in 2025. Coach Jimmy Grehan blooded a feeder side at the Sydney Qualifier that reached the semis, and that depth will strengthen the Sharks roster.
Legacy is again stacked with former Broncos, as Alex Glenn does every year. They missed the top eight last season but finished with a Plate win, a reminder they are never an easy out.
The Arthur Beatson Foundation replaces Matakesi, who won’t travel from New Zealand this year. ABF have strong contacts and plenty of motivation to be playing on day two.
Te Ao Mārama arrive as Brisbane Qualifier champions. Wins over Titans of Coal and Indigenous Mana stamped them as the real deal. They will be looking to go deep on the Coast.
Pool 4: Port Moresby Vipers, EZ Squad, Giants, Campbelltown Saints
Nobody wanted the Port Moresby Vipers in 2025. They’ve had their Nines debut now, and teams almost always improve in year two.
EZ Squad looked dangerous last season before going down to the Salty Pigs at the buzzer in the quarters. They’ve been busy behind the scenes and are expected to roll out a seriously strong squad.
ACTV and CMBT combined for one win from eight starts in 2025. That joint venture is now the Giants, and they’ll be stronger for the reset.
Campbelltown Saints were emphatic at the Sydney Qualifier. Jarryd Hayne’s side had questions around older legs, then answered them on day two with an even better showing.
The Nines stage is set for January, 2026. Four deep pools and two great days of rugby league ahead.
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