Super League Nines

[carlnz]

After doing some looking around on the web for the 1996 world Nines a few good points did come out about it...

The teams that Played in it were:

Australia
Western Samoa
Scotland
United States
England
Tonga
Italy
Morocco
New Zealand (Cup Winner)
Ireland
France (Plate winner)
Japan
Papua New Guinea
Wales (Trophy winner)
Fiji
Cook Islands (bowl winner)

16 teams played, Largest score was Tonga 32 Morocco 0. Interesting results were:

Australia 30 beat United States 16.
England 4 beat Italy 0.
New Zealand 18 beat Japan 14.
Fiji 18 beat France 8.
Papua New Guinea 15 beat England 14.

Final Standings (prizemoney):

1. New Zealand ($30,000)
2. Papua New Guinea ($15,000)
3. Australia ($10,000)
4. England ($8500)
5. Wales ($7500)
6. Western Samoa ($6250)
7. Tonga ($5500)
8. Ireland ($4750)
9. Fiji ($4000)
10. France ($3250)
11. Scotland ($2750)
12. Italy ($2500)
13. Cook Islands ($2000)
14. United States ($1500)
15. Morocco ($1250)
16. Japan ($1000)

 

[carlnz]

16 teams was very impressive to see, also to see the likes of Japan, Morocco, USA and Italy playing was great!! The score lines wearnt to bad too, for a team like Morocco playing England would be massive boost to there game.

Sure the crowd was poor for it, but over time it could increase...

Play once every year in the Pacific and maybe England? NZ could get a crowd of around 20,000 at North Harbour Stadium.

So common people lets put some ideas forward and learn from the mistakes and see what we could put together!!

 

[yakstorm]

I don't think anyone argues the concept of International Nines has its merit, however it appeals to a totally different group than the World Sevens.

A Rugby League Nines tournament like that, would need to be taken seriously at all levels in order for it to draw the crowds, and media attention.

It would be nice to see a 3 round, International Nines tournament held in say Auckland, Hull and Moscow, however with clubs and players currently claiming to have more than enough work, I dont think it will happen.

 

[carlnz]

Just to add to that Australia 30 USA 16 scoreline....you maybe think oh yeah must of been a stink Super League team...have a look at some who scored a try!

Wendell Sailor,
Steven Renouf,
Kevin Walters,
Paul Green,
Robbie Beckett,
Andrew Ettingshausen tries

 

[bender]

Just to add to that Australia 30 USA 16 scoreline....you maybe think oh yeah must of been a stink Super League team...have a look at some who scored a try!

Wendell Sailor,
Steven Renouf,
Kevin Walters,
Paul Green,
Robbie Beckett,
Andrew Ettingshausen tries

I think 7s may start to look a bit more like the 9s now that the limited 4 tackle rule is coming into place. The idea of making the event a true international one, is far better to me. I think that with a couple of minor tweaks such as the introduction of Qld and NSW teams and maybe aboriginal, ACT, Maori, maybe NZ south and North Islands etc that the 9s could be an excellent addition to the calender (or replacement for the 7s). I think that a Qld NSw rivalry, plus with a multicultural feel to some of the international teams, the even could be just as big as the 7s are but with more international benefit.

 

[dimitri]

a true international even would be much much better

 

[ali]

Who played for Italy? Were they players from Italy, or Aus residents of Italian descent?

 

[The Observer]

Super League World Nines 1996 some teams, all results:
http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~maajjs/res/wnines.htm

I guess they were mostly Aussies of Italian descent with a couple of Italian RU players thrown in. Check the IRL's official site for more info.

Super League World Nines 1997 TEAMS:
http://www.rugby-league-world.com/1997/Results/RepMatches/repseason.html

World Nines 1997 RESULTS:
http://www.rugby-league-world.com/1997/Results/RepMatches/repw9.html

 

[The Observer]

The World Nines was last scheduled to be held in South Africa in January 1998. However, it was cancelled on 15th Jan 1998 due to "a lack of time to organise the event." They couldn't get TV coverage quickly enough to make it viable.

I suggest that had it been set down to be played in Sydney in 1998, then it would have gone ahead.

 

[yakstorm]

If it had been put down anywhere except South Africa it would of gone ahead. South Africa RL wasted too much time (like 5 months) before telling BSkyB (who were going to be main backers of the tournament) what the schedule was. BSkyB couldn't change their other fixtures, and said no we wont televise it now.

 

[gothecats]

Carlnz

You are correct. It was a very good Australian team. I played with the USA there and it was a great feeling even though we didn't win. There was a loud crowd encouraging us throughout.

 

[In-goal]

bring back the 9's

 

[carlnz]

Its a pitty NZ never got a chance to defend there Cup at home, im sure NZ could get 15,000 people along to watch nines, apart from supporting the Kiwis, NZ fans love the under dogs.

 

[carlnz]

Its a pitty NZ never got a chance to defend there Cup at home, im sure NZ could get 15,000 people along to watch nines, apart from supporting the Kiwis, NZ fans love the under dogs.

 

[Alan Shore]

For a start to make the World Sevens more world wide teams like Widnes and NZ Residents should be denied entry.

International Nines is a great concept and it should be reintroduced. My plan would be for the World Sevens to be hosted in its current format in Sydney, except for it to be a worldwide clubs event with the NRL clubs, the ESL clubs and one spot for a club from another country, i.e. Russia, France etc.

Then the International Nines could be competed with all international teams as per the previous Super League format which truly was a great concept.