And Fairfax Media understands a police officer will be stationed at each team’s hotel throughout the weekend.
The NRL has taken the proactive step of hiring up to 50 security guards after what has been a horror summer for the code, with several players charged over a range of offences during the off-season. The precautionary measures will lead to three security guards being assigned to each club throughout the five days in Auckland - one for every five players.
The NRL has also contacted popular nightspots in the city to ensure the competition is not tarnished by another off-field drama. The venues have been provided with contact details for officials from each club, and from the NRL, and asked to call them if they sense trouble brewing.
''We've done an extensive review and risk-management study,'' Doyle said. ''We've put a lot of time and a lot of effort into trying to mitigate as much as we … possibly can, because you just can't cover everything. One of the things we have to be conscious of is there are hundreds of rugby league players who go out on a regular basis and never get into any trouble.With more than 250 NRL players in the tournament, and 100 officials based in Auckland from next Thursday until Monday week, Jim Doyle, the NRL's chief operating officer and head of the game's integrity unit, said it had been necessary to take steps to limit the likelihood of trouble when the players go out.
''We can't tar everyone with the same brush. There's a minority of people who get into trouble. We can't put guidelines in place because the majority - when they go out - they don't get into any trouble. All we can do is be proactive and put measures in place to mitigate any risks we think there might be.''
Doyle said the security guards would also ensure fans did not cause trouble for players.
''I know quite a few rugby league players personally and a lot of the time they say they are just looking for a quiet night to relax with friends or their girlfriend when they go out,'' he said. ''But then there are sometimes three or so idiots who may come across and cause a bit of trouble because they've had too much to drink. It's not just the players, it can be the fans as well.''
Most clubs will be staying in separate hotels but, because of a shortage of accommodation, some sides - such as Sydney Roosters and North Queensland - will be based in the same building.
It is understood the NRL has urged clubs to enforce in-house policies regarding curfews and expectations when they go out, but the organisation has opted against a blanket ban on players enjoying Auckland's nightlife.
''Each club is working on that by themselves,'' Doyle said. ''We have 16 teams in the one city, at the one time, with a very large influx of people in Auckland.
''The whole place is sold out, which hasn't happened since the [Rugby] World Cup finals. We've communicated with the clubs and have made sure they are conscious of it and [won't] put themselves in any areas that can lead to something happening.
''We've taken significant steps to try and avoid anything we think may happen. It's up to the clubs and what they do because we can't dictate that.''
An additional $150,000 has been spent on 600 security guards to patrol Eden Park over the 18 hours of football across two days.
There are 22,000 fans travelling from outside Auckland to watch the tournament, including 7000 from Australia.