Storm star Ryan Hoffman wants the NRL to create a league version of crickets IPL
Nick Smart
Herald Sun
February 14, 2014 10:00PM
MELBOURNE Storm star Ryan Hoffman wants the NRL to follow in the footsteps of cricket and create rugby leagues version of the Indian Premier League.
Hoffman will captain Melbourne in this weekends inaugural NRL Auckland Nines, which has already proven a hit with both days at Eden Park sold out well in advance.
It is the first time NRL has experimented with the exciting nine-a-side format.
The Storm backrower is a fan of the Nines concept and would like to see it go further with every NRL player placed into an auction like in the hugely popular IPL.
Under his plan, teams would be sold off and made up of players from every NRL club to compete in a three-week tournament.
Although he conceded it would require a shorter NRL premiership season.
Id like to see the concept get bigger, he said.
Maybe in the future it could end up like the IPL where some wealthy business owners want to own a team and we put all the NRL players into an auction.
You could to that and run the Nines for three weeks, which would be an exciting concept.
But obviously you would need some give in the NRL season.
The huge success of the Big Bash League has resulted in other sports looking to implement similar competitions to entice fans and sponsors.
Hoffman said the possibilities were endless and believed there was a huge potential to grow the game in non-traditional markets.
Id like to see maybe having two tiers with developing nations be a part of it, he said.
There could be an NRL tier and a developing nations tier.
I want to see it go forward, but for that to happen there needs to be some leeway in the NRL season itself.
If Hoffmans plan is to be considered, a lot will depend on the success of the next two days which will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.
All NRL teams remain unsure of the best tactics to implement in Auckland.
When people thing of Nines, they usually think of it being free flowing with lots of outside backs, Hoffman said.
But I still think youre going to have to do the basic rugby league things.
You still need to get momentum and that go forward.
I dont think well go too far away, but well need to have a bit more ball movement and use that space.
A Storm side missing the big three of skipper Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk will tackle Penrith and South Sydney today before clashing with the Dragons tomorrow.
Weve come up with some theories and some game plans on how were going to do stuff, he said.
Were a bit lucky being one of the later games on the first days because we will get a chance to see how other teams are going about it.
We may adjust but we have some plans in place.
Lets say conservatively that those 7,000 Aussies spend $500~ (I know myself and a mate have paid $600 for 4 nights accommodation, plus bringing about $7-800 each play money) over a 2-5 day period, that's a cool 3.5 mil alone! Not a bad weekend.
