THE inaugural NRL Auckland Nines will go back to the future with the tournament to launch under new rules that include the return of the sin bin while there will also be no video referee.

The Nines concept gained momentum in Auckland today with the announcement of the rules that all 16 NRL clubs will be governed by when the competition kicks-off on February 15 next year.

While the nine-a-side matches will be structured largely under NRL guidelines, there are some intriguing alterations by event organisers that are designed to attract fast, free-flowing football.

The most significant changes include:

FIVE minutes in the sin bin for any player penalised in the act of foul play;

GOLDEN-POINT try extra time means any matches that finish level after regular time will then proceed to extra time where a try must be scored - and not a field goal or penalty - to secure victory;

ONE match referee to officiate the 18-minute games without a video referee;

A FIVE tackle count instead of the regular six tackles of the NRL;

FIVE-POINT tries will be awarded if teams score inside a bonus zone positioned in between the goalposts.

The NRL Auckland Nines is worth $2.3m in prize money with officials confident the event will feature the biggest names in the game while also unearthing new superstars.

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