IT was the King two years ago, now the Prince will reign at the Auckland Nines.

Former Wests Tigers premiership-winning halfback Scott Prince is poised to come out of retirement and play for Brisbane in the Auckland Nines on February 4-5.

Prince, 36, has been in talks with Broncos officials about a comeback and has remained exceptionally fit since retiring from Brisbane back in 2013.

media_camera Scott Prince is poised to play for the Brisbane Broncos at next year's Auckland Nines. Picture: Tara Croser

A host of former champions have returned to compete at the Nines, including Matt King for Souths and Ken Nagas for Canberra last year.

The previous season, Steve Menzies came back for Manly, as did legendary Rooster Brad Fittler.

And this year, Matt Bowen returned for North Queensland, Braith Anasta turned out for Sydney Roosters while Jason Croker appeared for Canberra.

Now it appears Prince will once again run out in Brisbane colours. He had two stints with the Broncos — between 2001 and 2003 and then again in 2013.

“Nothing has been finalised but I’d certainly be keen to play in an exciting event like the Auckland Nines,” Prince told The Daily Telegraph.

media_camera Scott Prince looked fit and sharp during a celebrity touch footy day at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Tara Croser

Just last week, Prince looked fit and sharp during a celebrity touch footy day at Suncorp Stadium.

The annual tournament is set to sizzle again with Prince playing, Jarryd Hayne representing Gold Coast and Johnathan Thurston lining up for North Queensland.

Prince, who was the playmaker for Wests Tigers’ historic 2005 grand final win over North Queensland, received strong backing last night from Fittler.

“Scotty is a real footy player — that stuff never dies. I did a pretty good job of not getting tackled, that should be on his radar as well,” Fittler said.

media_camera Brad Fittler and Steve Menzies both played at the Auckland Nines. Picture: Mark Evans

“He will be a little bit slower but the skills will still be there. As I said, he won’t want to get tackled. They squeeze you a lot harder these days than when we were playing.

“Scotty will get a huge lift out of playing. The big thing for me was going back and hanging with the young kids for the weekend.

“I roomed with Mitchell Pearce which was hilarious. We had an absolute ball.”

Tournament officials are expecting sell-out crowds for both days of the Nines.

“It’s really good fun, it takes a lot of contact out of it. It can be played by all different shapes and sizes. The Nines are a real success,” said Fittler, who tipped Penrith to win the tournament.

media_camera Matt Bowen turned out for the Cowboys at the 2016 Auckland Nines. Picture: Mark Evans

New Zealand Warriors will start $4 favourites over North Queensland ($5).

“The Warriors have opened favourites for the fourth time but are still chasing their first title,” TAB spokesman Matt Jenkins said.

“They always field a strong side and are always popular with our punters.”

All teams will again be under pressure to send strong, respectable sides.

AUCKLAND NINES GOLDEN OLDIES

2014: Brad Fittler (Roosters), Steve Menzies (Sea Eagles)

2015: Ken Nagas (Raiders), Matt King (Rabbitohs)

2016: Matt Bowen (Cowboys), Braith Anasta (Roosters), Jason Croker (Raiders)

2017: Scott Prince (Broncos)

Originally published as Prince to reign again for Broncos