Auckland Nines

[Clarke]

^ Fantastic news.

 

[Desert Qlder]

Forget the doomsayers, this will be an exciting concept.

Cameron Smith gets singled out for criticism for supposedly being self-interested when doubting the validity of more Rugby League events being proposed. But I believe he is genuinely concerned for player welfare. There is always need for questioning voices in the world of big business. In actual fact, I feel if he and other player representatives continue in this vein it may end up influencing the commission to shorten the season to twenty-two rounds after this broadcast deal. Thereby allowing for a better season schedule.

However, I cannot see this tournament negatively impacting the preparations of our top players. The demands of even six of these games over a weekend wouldn't even match that of the All-Stars game. And given the clubs can rotate a number of players through those games the risk of major injury or burnout is reasonably low.

So I see it as another fantastic addition to our season that can only bring greater awareness for our game in Auckland and create a terrific atmosphere in that city. Perhaps once Auckland has had a good run with it the tournament could be shared around to different cities to keep it fresh.

I would hope that if the commission sanctions the event, broadcast rights are not just given to Nine/Fox and an adequate deal is struck. My fear comes from when the All-Stars game was introduced and Nine were just given the rights for nothing. Though I think it will be a different story this time.

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...t-in-new-zealand/story-e6frexnr-1226587141376

Majority of NRL clubs vote in favour of proposed pre-season Nines tournament in New Zealand

Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
February 28, 2013 12:00AM

A MAJORITY of clubs have voted in favour of holding a pre-season Nines tournament in New Zealand, which will see 400 NRL players paraded down the main street of Auckland before the event kicks off.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal 11 of the 16 clubs gave provisional support to the concept during a marathon telephone conference on Tuesday.

Newcastle were among those in favour, as powerful Knights coach Wayne Bennett is now comfortable there will be no conflict with the marquee All-Stars fixture as long as it's staged in mid-February.

With a five-year $15 million funding package approved from Auckland City Council, Kiwi promoters Dean Lonergan and David Higgins originally wanted a response on Saturday.

But there won't be a final call until March 20, when the ARLC receives a recommendation from NRL officials Paul Kind and Nathan McGuirk.

Two possible dates - 25-26 January and 15-16 February 2014 - have been suggested for the inaugural event.

However, the latter appears more popular because most of the clubs in favour are content to forego a regulation trial match in favour of not conceding the huge investment to a rival sport.

The February time slot will also give international stars a chance to feature, given they will have an additional three weeks of pre-season training after this year's World Cup in the United Kingdom.

Although there was a clear majority in favour on Tuesday, there's still conjecture over whether the current 11-5 split is sufficiently decisive.

The Roosters, Bulldogs, Panthers, Storm and Sea Eagles are believed to be the five opponents of the concept.

Longeran and Higgins personally briefed the clubs at last week's CEO conference with a compelling mix of fully funded travel and accommodation, a $500,000 winner's cheque and the chance to make ties with junior clubs in Auckland.

There are also plans to hold a parade of players from all 16 clubs through Auckland CBD, while coaches and staff will compete in a beach touch football tournament on competition eve.

The draw will most likely see the 16 clubs split into four pools, from which the top two teams would advance to finals matches on the Sunday.

According to one CEO, the promoters were mindful of the short turnaround between the toll on elite players who participate in the World Cup.

"Of course they want the very best players on the field, but in the first year at least, they are going to be flexible," the CEO said.

"They understand that all the stars might not be available, but the big thing is just to have them all in Auckland promoting rugby league in a rugby union-mad country."

McGuirk said the final decision would be left to the eight commissioners.

"It's an exciting opportunity, not only for our game but for all the clubs," McGuirk said. "But it also has to fit in with the game's strategic plan."

 

[Didgi]

The Roosters, Bulldogs, Panthers, Storm and Sea Eagles are believed to be the five opponents of the concept.

Excellent. Island All-Stars to make up 12 teams, or you could incorporate 5 international teams. If you don't want a shot at 500k I'm sure there's others who do.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Make it invitational. If those merkin clubs don't want to show up, fine. But they won't be invited again and when the event becomes even bigger and more lucrative they'll be whinging. Four f**kin Sydney clubs too, and ones that don't have much argument against merger/relocation/get rid. Give teams till just after the NRL GF to nominate for Auckland and the ones who don't replace with international sides by invitation.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Also any member of those clubs should be sending off emails asnking why they aren't supporting this event.

 

[TheDalek079]

disappointed that Easts aren't supporting the concept not surprised about the bullscum though as they're stupid merkins

 

[Misanthrope]

It's good to see the concept picking up speed, but my interest in it would be diminished considerably if it were just the NRL clubs involved. A big part of the lure are the invitational sides.

 

[hitman82]

It's good to see the concept picking up speed, but my interest in it would be diminished considerably if it were just the NRL clubs involved. A big part of the lure are the invitational sides.

I haven't seen any mention of teams outside of the NRL. My guess is that would be a consideration for the future if this event takes off.

The aim is to bring well-known NRL stars into Auckland, to showcase the skills of our athletes in a short and highly accessible tournament, to gain attention for the code. Having a bunch of no-names or fringers attending under the name of Fiji or Cook Islands is not going to increase the initial popularity.

My opinion is these kinds of additions should come later, once the tournament is established. That way they will provide new interest and lure more people along.

The initial tournament should go well, simply because it's something new, with a party atmosphere. Kiwis love to party, and I have no doubt it will be well-attended. I live in Wellington and know of loads of people who will head up for this. $30-$70 domestic airfares make it highly affordable for anyone from any part of NZ to attend.

 

[Diesel]

I think this is going to be planned for the same weekend as the Wellington 7's.

 

[hitman82]

I think this is going to be planned for the same weekend as the Wellington 7's.

Nope, the proposed dates are:
25-26 January and 15-16 February 2014

Wellington 7s are held in the first weekend of Feb.

Going head-to-head with the Wellington 7s would be utter madness.

 

[Perth Red]

Excellent. Island All-Stars to make up 12 teams, or you could incorporate 5 international teams. If you don't want a shot at 500k I'm sure there's others who do.

This, I'm sure the NZ public would rather see Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and cook islands than some of those teams anyway.

 

[Diesel]

Nope, the proposed dates are:
25-26 January and 15-16 February 2014

Wellington 7s are held in the first weekend of Feb.

Going head-to-head with the Wellington 7s would be utter madness.

26 Jan is Australia Day and Nine always has Aussie cricket team playing on that day, although there is talk Ch 10 are going for those rights so maybe that is why there are two weekends proposed at the moment so if Nine lose the rights they'll play the final on Australia Day and if they keep the cricket it'll be mid-Feb.

 

[typicalfan]

26 Jan is Australia Day and Nine always has Aussie cricket team playing on that day, although there is talk Ch 10 are going for those rights so maybe that is why there are two weekends proposed at the moment so if Nine lose the rights they'll play the final on Australia Day and if they keep the cricket it'll be mid-Feb.

The Nines would tear the cricket apart. But I think the later Feb date suits. I don't see the point in whinging about injuries that are no more likely to occur than in your typical trial match.

 

[siv]

Should be 32 teams. 16 NRL clubs plus Top 3 NSW Cup and Top 3 Qld Cup team

WA (winner minor states championship)

top 2 NZ cup teams

Top PNG club side

Plus 6 international teams eg Samoa Tonga Fiji Japan USA Cook Islands

 

[East Coast Tiger]

There's always someone who goes too far.

16 clubs plus PNG, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa would be a great start and if it is viable they could add four more, preferably USA, South Africa, Lebanon and one other.

 

[The Great Dane]

There's always someone who goes too far.

16 clubs plus PNG, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa would be a great start and if it is viable they could add four more, preferably USA, South Africa, Lebanon and one other.

Canada or Jamaica would be awesome.

 

[Diesel]

How many teams competed in the 92-97 series? I thought it was 24 or so?

 

[parraparraparra]

I wanna see west indies 9s team

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...uches-on-nines-tournament-20130705-2phfg.html

NRL puts finishing touches on nines tournament

Date
July 6, 2013

Michael Carayannis
Rugby League Writer

The NRL is close to finalising the long-proposed pre-season nines tournament that will kick-start the 2014 rugby league season. The inaugural competition will be held in Auckland in February and launch the NRL year.

After months of negotiations, it is understood the NRL will announce the tournament by the end of this month as it looks to finalise commercial deals. The two-day event will be at Eden Park, New Zealand's largest stadium, with players competing for a multimillion-dollar prize pool. The prize pool will be split between clubs and players.

All 16 NRL clubs will feature and must supply 12 of their top 25 contracted players within their 16-man squad. But the tournament may be robbed of some of its star quality with most of the World Cup players set to be ineligible because of the tournament's late finish this year. The World Cup final is on November 30.

Matches will comprise nine-minute halves in the nine-per side game and could see the likes of Ben Barba (pictured), Matt Bowen, Feleti Mateo and Nathan Merritt ignite the tournament. Fox Sports is expected to broadcast the tournament. NRL clubs are still expected to hold trials during that weekend for those players not playing.

Auckland Council has secured multi-year rights to host the event. The concept is the brainchild of former New Zealand international Dean Lonergan, with an aim of eclipsing Wellington's famous rugby union sevens tournament. The NRL still will play the annual pre-season All Star game.

Rugby league last played a pre-season sevens tournament in 2004. That version lasted only two seasons after being reintroduced in 2003 after a six-year hiatus. That competition featured the likes of Wigan, Papua New Guina, USA and other non-NRL teams taking part in the one-time traditional start to the rugby league season since its inception in 1988.

Super League also dabbled in a nines tournament to launch its season in 1996 and 1997. Australia captain Cameron Smith, Penrith general manager Phil Gould plus leading NRL coaches Wayne Bennett, Trent Robinson and Michael Maguire all spoke out against the concept earlier this year, in fear of player burnout.

Nines rugby league is being considered to be introduced to the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Meanwhile, the NRL will hold fire until after David Williams' day in court before determining whether the Manly winger will face any disciplinary action from the league.

Williams was on Tuesday charged with affray and offensive behaviour following an incident outside a Kings Cross nightclub in the early hours of May 27.

The 26-year-old will appear in court on August 13, the NRL claiming it was comfortable in letting the court proceedings be finalised before determining its final position on the matter.

Preliminary inquiries by the NRL's integrity unit has determined that there was no clear breach of the code of conduct, with the facts relating to the charge still in dispute.

Williams has vowed to vigorously defend the charges.

with AAP