Following long-held discussions and speculation, it was announced today that the NRL have come to terms with a private promoter, Duco Events, to partake in an NRL Nines competition in Auckland for the next five years.
The last time the NRL ventured into this territory was 2004 when the Wests Tigers were victorious in capturing the title in a seven-a-side tournament.
This latest announcement is sure to spark controversy across league circles for a number of different reasons.
Already the NRL have come out to extinguish rumours that top players would sit out the tournament by outlining a clause in the contract that stipulates clubs will be forced to field one of the top five top earners as per the salary cap.
This will help to instil credibility to the tournament, but also means we risk injury to a star that fans will actually pay to watch.
The temptation from clubs to field a strong team will be the prize pool of $2 million dollars to the clubs, which will no doubt ensures cash strapped clubs like the Tigers and Sharks give it a red hot go.
There’s no secret that both the NRL and the private promoter stand to make a lot of money from the tournament, but the other big winner will be the city of Auckland who will benefit from the attention and attendance the tournament receives.
The question I have is why couldn’t the National Rugby League of Australia host the tournament on its own shores?
The greatest concern with the tournament however is not the location but the length of the contract that the NRL has entered into to be a part of it all. Five years is a long time in football, particularly for a new tournament which cannot guarantee success.
A casualty of the lucrative February based event is already the NRL All-Stars match, which has already announced its postponement for 2014. This is as much to do with the World Cup at the end of the year and the toll that will likely have on the league’s top players, but in years to come will there be room in the preseason for both a Nines Tournament and an All-Stars game?
Surely a 13 v 13 match up of the league’s greatest talent playing with modified rules designed at better game play is more appealing than a watered down Nine-a-side tournament with teams stacked with up and comers and second-tier talent? Or will the $2 million carrot dangling in Auckland be too much for the clubs to resist?
Rest assured the first injury to occur as a result of this tournament will have commentators up in arms.
David Smith has made a lot of fantastic business decisions since taking over as CEO of the NRL, but let’s hope this five year investment isn’t to the detriment of the clubs and players actually playing the game.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
You are correct the Oz goldfish bowl is full of fish getting in the way of each other and taking up much of my idle time,whereas there is a few fish and a lot of sheep in NZ.
Hosey G
Guest
You would not have heard of any of the union players I think would be sensational in this tournament. But teh Auckland Blues backline woudl be awesome (with teh exception of Benji) - Frank Halai, Francis Saili, George Moala, Luke Braid are big, fast and strong. Likewise the Chiefs with gareth anscombe, Bundi Akhee, Tim Nanai williams, Leila Masaga, Liam Messam, and Sonny Bill Williams would be devastating. But I doubt you would have only ever heard of 1 of these players such is the goldfish bowl.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Who are the union players in the names suggested enrico? It's a 9s tourno FHS.
enrico
Guest
Ok then. sounds like a solid union team you are proposing then. you're an ideas man. not sure on how you will go but maybe write a letter?
Hosey G
Guest
Yes- the same John Grant who was only playing amateur club rugby in Sydney who couldn;t get a contract as a professional rugby player either. The NRL is the new WWE.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
No .it would remain a weekend event.The players don't appear to be concerned and want to be involved.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
It's a cash cow for the code and the clubs and players.The idea is to grow the game in NZ.We keep getting told by the sheep chasers,the code is very small there.Its called promotion.Thought it would have been obvious. I further suggest in the not too distant future ,a 2nd NZ NRL team will pop out of the clouds. If the ru or AFL had done something similar it would no doubt be applauded as being progressive.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Yes I am sure the RU scouts will have the money to match the NRL player monies ,when they let go so many of their own local juniors. Its a 7s tournament at the Ops not a 15s,the rest of the time few in this country care about the 7s circuit".
Devout Saint
Guest
I am looking forward to the 9's tournament too. I used to love the Seven's tournaments and even went to a few of them. Players get to showcase their skills with more room on the field. I would have liked the prize money to be bigger, maybe that would encourage clubs field their best squads, if that was the case it would be spectacular. Just imagine the likes of Inglis, Slater, Brett and Josh Morris, Hayne, Hoppa, Fergo, Jennings, Toupu, Waqa, Cherry, Kelly, Gagai, Dylan Walker, Sonny, Thurston, Johnson, Simona, Sirro, Tesdesco, Baba, Cam Smith, Cronk, Lyon, Taufau, Carney, Taylor, Brett Stewart, Uati, Milford, Dugan, Shek, Sam and George Burgess, Hoffman, Loko, Gordon and co all playing.
Emric
Guest
They also said it was going to be bigger then the Rugby World Cup.. I'm looking forward to the 145,000 Australians coming over to this event, and Eden park being returned to its 60,000 seat configuration while being totally full for 2 entire days. Reality : It won't flop, it will be a good little money spinner for Auckland with i'd wager around 10,000 Sydney and Brisbane supporters arriving in the City and a lot of other local league lovers making the trip South / North (depending on where they live) to Auckland to be involved. Will it be bigger then Wellington 7's there is that potential as Wellingtons Stadium only holds 35,000 (40,000 extended) and Eden Park can hold 50,000 (60,000 extended). Both events will be great for the country and that's what matters the most.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
I enjoyed the old Sevens tournament and before that we had the pre-season and mid-week cups. Teams always fielded strong sides as every club likes silverware. Jarryd Hayne has already expressed his interest in the game. Let's face it, it will be awesome to see the likes of Hayne, Barba, Johnson etc. with plenty of room to move and free-flowing footy.
Keeping it Real
Guest
At that is what it is - just an Australian sport the rest of the world does not care about. If you really thnik this will take over Rugby 7's then you are deluded. Would be nice for League to actually come up with an original idea for a change.
peeeko
Roar Guru
yes the John grant who barely played reserve grade when he switched to rugby league
peeeko
Roar Guru
i have been too afraid to ask for some time but it must be true
peeeko
Roar Guru
how much money does an international sevens player get? not much, that is why it is a leve lbeneath super rugby and they could not afford any NRL players either
peeeko
Roar Guru
yes please , i sincerely doubt that anyone would say something so silly
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Suppose its a roaring success. Do we then lengthen it to a month-long caper?! NRL players play too many games as is!
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
I can't see it being a success.
enrico
Guest
Just to confirm, you referring to john grant from eastwood that signed with the wests tigers but couldn't make it into first grade?
CrusABs
Guest
+1