Auckland Nines

[Usain Bolt]

I'm going to both, 7's for the partying and 9's for the games

 

[Perth Red]

I hope the Warriors will have a big membership tent at the event?

 

[Perth Red]

exactly. like the all stars concept. first year or 2 there was a lot of interest but the novelty wore off quickly

Did it? i flew across for it last year and it was great event with plenty of people attending.

 

[TheDalek079]

I hope the Warriors will have a big membership tent at the event?

Sure the Warriors should have a Big tent, but the other clubs should be using this as an opportunity to boost NZ membership numbers. Hire a former Kiwi that used to play for that club (Barnett Sharks, Hughie Roosters, Wiki Raiders etc) to help man the tent, have adverts between games saying where the tent is, what the special offer is....

 

[Mr Angry]

My prediction, the 9's will be a huge success.

It will become the Twenty/20 of league. Youngins will love it, short games.

Further more this less a prediction and more a hope, makes one rugby game.

 

[Bronco Rob]

My prediction, the 9's will be a huge success.

It will become the Twenty/20 of league. Youngins will love it, short games.

Further more this less a prediction and more a hope, makes one rugby game.

I think the same especially with the youth, they want to see the likes of GI, Barba, Hayne, Johnson running the ball with a bit more freedom. Yes the old heads still like to see good defence but with the wrestling and grappling these days defence is not an art-form anymore and has turned many off the game because of it.

 

[hardbaby]

In the years to come there will be an international version and the "lesser" teams would be very competitive. Next year I would love to see the Pacific Islands included in this comp as well. We need to support those nations and this seems the perfect format for them. Yes clubs will complain losing some of their stars but if you limited it to one player/nation/club the pros (at international level) would outweigh the cons (at domestic level).

 

[parraparraparra]

Yes have a intl section

 

[Knownothing]

In the years to come there will be an international version and the "lesser" teams would be very competitive. Next year I would love to see the Pacific Islands included in this comp as well. We need to support those nations and this seems the perfect format for them. Yes clubs will complain losing some of their stars but if you limited it to one player/nation/club the pros (at international level) would outweigh the cons (at domestic level).

The Auckland event is attractive because it will feature proven NRL players.

An event with "lesser" teams will struggle to get crowd support, sponsorship, and backing by promoters. Who will provide the financial support to sustain an event like that?

 

[Perth Red]

That's why it should be a mix. NRL teams, SL champions and CC winners and a sprinkling of Int teams. As said its a great vehicle for domestic players (especially backs) from PNG, Fiji, Tonga etc to put themselves in the NRL shop window.

I'd be happy to see a mix of NRL and domestic players in the Int teams. What a boost for the local leagues in those countries if the dream of playing on a big stage against NRl stars was a real thing to aim for.

Would also increase its Tv appeal internationally.

 

[typicalfan]

Won't happen in the short term. NRL is the brand being marketed here not Rugby League.

 

[ek999]

Do people honestly think they would get higher TV ratings (it will be a sell out at the ground anyway) if it used other teams that weren't in the NRL. FMD SL teams would do nothing it is being played in the middle of the night there

 

[cleary89]

f**k that. I'm going because it's a nrl comp. don't ruin it by adding teams no one cares about

 

[Perth Red]

I'd go if it was Int but not interested in spending and travelling to just see NRL teams, about to get 30 weeks of that. I'd be just as interested to watch a Fiji v PNG nines final as a Titans v Raiders ( probably more so Fiji v PNG) Each to their own I suppose.
Not surprised the general attidue given Australias general insular attitude when it comes to Int RL and growing the game beyond the backyard.

 

[TheDalek079]

NRL teams of course I'm going. A mix of NRL and ESL I'd still go. A mix of NRL and small internationals I'd still go. Just internationals would be 50/50

 

[macnaz]

I'd go if it was Int but not interested in spending and travelling to just see NRL teams, about to get 30 weeks of that. I'd be just as interested to watch a Fiji v PNG nines final as a Titans v Raiders ( probably more so Fiji v PNG) Each to their own I suppose.
Not surprised the general attidue given Australias general insular attitude when it comes to Int RL and growing the game beyond the backyard.

So if it there were international sides... where would the international players in the current NRL sides play ?
Also why did u travel to watch the all farce match with ALL NRL PLAYERS ?
Lol u had to throw in a cry by stealth about no WA side.

 

[Perth Red]

I'd say that it could be manipulated so that Fiji, for example, got to call on 2-3 stars and the NRl clubs got to keep the rest. I went to watch the all stars as I think its a great concept and something different from watching players play for their clubs, same as Int RL in that respect. We get 30 odd weeks of watching clubs, 3 games of rep football watching them play for two states and a very small smattering, except for RLWC years, of watching them represent their country. This could be another opportunity to enjoy the sight of teams like Fiji and PNG playing for their countries pride.

I like variety in my RL and can see the huge potential International Rl has to lift the game in other places of the world and for non RL fans in our heartlands. Some of us like to look beyond NRL/ state of origin as the pinnacle for RL.

Am I wrong re our insular approach to the game and its near total lack of development over the last 50 years outside of our traditional boundaries? Call it a cry if you want but doesn't stop it being a sad reality.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

9s World Cup, held every 4 years pre-season in the middle of the normal WC cycle, just substitute it for the NRL 9s.

Awesome.

 

[ek999]

We need more international team first. But f**k yeah

 

[umina panther]

9s World Cup, held every 4 years pre-season in the middle of the normal WC cycle, just substitute it for the NRL 9s.

Awesome.

Excellent idea