All 16 teams are in Auckland for the start of the 2015 NRL season and by the looks of their social media accounts, they are having a good time.
Rugby league's newest fan
With 2.78 million followers on Twitter, international supermodel Heidi Klum's tweet on Friday afternoon may have brought the NRL and the Warriors a whole new legion of fans. Question is, which Warrior wears Intimates best?
Hot guys in hot underwear #HKMAN @HKIntimates @NZWarriors #NewZealand pic.twitter.com/crcoI1Chu2
— Heidi Klum (@heidiklum) January 30, 2015
Nines perspective
As this post from the Dragons shows, a photo is all about perspective. We just never picked Tyson Frizell as a 'selfie stick' kind of guy.
The @NRL_Dragons Boys loving the atmosphere around the @NRLAKL9s new toy for Frizz! #redv pic.twitter.com/itxksqYBB0
— The Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) January 30, 2015
Sandow's birthday surprise
Perhaps this is what Brad Arthur saw in Chris Sandow before naming the cheeky No.7 captain this weekend. When Chrissy discovered a young fan in Auckland was a mad Parra fan, he took him onto the team bus where the Eels sang him a very special rendition of 'Happy Birthday'. Priceless.
Beauty and the Beast
When the NRL decided to launch the NRL season in Auckland on Thursday night, having international supermodel Heidi Klum on the guest list probably wasn't part of their thinking. But when she garced the red carpet with her presence plenty of people associated with the game took their chance for a happy snap, including the 'Beast', Manu Vatuvei. And like any crafty hooker should, Nathan Friend saw an opportunity and took it.
Music to their ears
What do NRL players do in between commitments ahead of the Auckland Nines? In the case of Cowboys pair Matthew Wright and John Asiata, it's a duet on the piano in the team hotel.
King of the kids
He may be a terrifying sight on the rugby league field but youngsters in Auckland had no hesitation in taking on Roosters co-captain Jared Waerea-Hargeaves on the jumping castle at the Auckland Nines fan day at Aetoa Square.
Star power
Behind the extroardinary scenes on Friday at the Auckland Nines fan day some of the game's biggest names casually mingled as they signed items of merchandise. Here we have (from left) Daly Cherry-Evans, Benji Marshall, Shaun Johnson, Issac Luke and Will Chambers. Pretty handy bunch of footballers.
On the bus with Bully
There are 16 teams all excited to be in Auckland and pumped for the start of another footy season. This is what happens when you're on the bus next to Issac Luke and a bit of Bruno Mars starts busting out.
A shining Knight in Auckland
Rarely does a rugby league event happen in New Zealand without the 'Mad Butcher', Sir Peter Leitch, being involved. Sir Peter was on hand for the Channel Nine Today Show's live cross and even grabbed a quick happy snap with Nine commentator Tim Gilbert and the NRL's head of commercial, Paul Kind.
Launch pad
The trophies that will be played for and won over the next 10 months of rugby league were all on display when the 2015 NRL season was launched in Auckland on Thursday night.
.@greg.inglis helps launch the 2015 @NRL Calender! Click here to watch: http://t.co/KngN9Ju8SH #GoRabbitohs pic.twitter.com/kc8pnkR7jB
— South Sydney (@SSFCRABBITOHS) January 29, 2015
Cowboys in nice clothing
This time last year he was the breakout player of the tournament; in 2015 Kyle Feldt (far right) took to the stage along with Cowboys teammates Michael Morgan, Jason Taumalolo, Ray Thompson, Gavin Cooper and Rory Kostjasyn as Auckland Nines defending champions.
Mayor of Auckland
He carried the concept on his shoulders last year and still fans at the Auckland Nines can't get enough of Warriors superstar Shaun Johnson.
Fan favourite. Everybody wants a little bit of @Shaun_Johnson90 in their life #NRL pic.twitter.com/ZzmW2wPRFw
— NRL (@NRL) January 30, 2015
