Fittler set for comeback in Auckland Nines

Rugby league legend Brad Fittler has been cleared to play in the Auckland Nines by the NRL.

Fittler, 41, retired from playing ten years ago, but is making a remarkable comeback for former club Sydney Roosters in the Eden Park event.

According to Tricolours centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall, ‘Freddy’ has not looked out of place in training.

“He’s a natural born leader, his presence is definitely felt on the field,” said Kenny-Dowall.

“He’s still a very competitive sort of a person and I’m more than sure he’s going to hold his own in the Nines tournament.”

The inaugural Auckland tournament on February 15th and 16th is approaching a sell-out, and NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg is delighted.

Greenberg said, “To attract over 90,000 fans over two days – including more than 10,000 from outside of Auckland – for the inaugural event, is a great achievement.”

The tournament will also see Melbourne launch their new @storm Twitter handle.

The @storm promotion will see Melbourne become the first Australian sporting club to have their handle appear on the coveted front of jersey position.

They now join a select group of sports clubs, such as Boston Redsox (@redsox), LA Lakers (@lakers) and New York Giants (@giants), in adopting their secondary name as their Twitter handle.