The NRL has announced the third installment of its successful Auckland Nines pre-season competition will be held on the weekend of February 6 and 7 next year.
The event has been scheduled a week later than this year's dates, which were pushed forward by the Cricket World Cup, and will fall a week after the World Series Sevens Rugby tournament in Wellington.
The Nines will be held at Eden Park on Waitangi weekend, which is traditionally a long weekend in New Zealand.
Billy Slater has already said he is aiming to make his comeback from a shoulder injury in the short-form tournament next year.
South Sydney will go into the tournament as defending champions after North Queensland claimed the inaugural title in 2014.
Teams will compete for $2.34 million prizemoney.
