Engineering group Downer has kept the naming rights for the National Rugby League’s Auckland Nines for the 2017 and 2018 editions.
The nine-a-side knockout tournament, which is held annually at Eden Park in Auckland, will be known as the Downer Auckland Nines.
Downer first stepped in to take the naming rights of the 2016 edition of the tournament after original sponsor Dick Smith plunged into administration.
“It is particularly pleasing to see a strong brand like Downer supporting rugby league and it will be wonderful to have them back on board for the Nines for the next two years,” said Michael Brown, the NRL’s chief of commercial.
According to the NRL’s official website, the first three editions of the tournament have attracted a total audience of 247,840 people to the ground, and a television audience of 1.4 million.
The 2016 tournament was won by Australian outfit the Parramatta Eels. However, the Eels were later stripped of their title due to a breach of the NRL’s salary cap.
Downer was also the match sponsor of May’s Test match between Australia and New Zealand.
Source: SportsPro
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