Were you like me by last Sunday night after the weekend of back to back Nines footy? I enjoyed being able to get a bit of an early look at every club in 2014 and to check out some new rules.
It was pleasing too that we had our version of “T20 footy” to showcase to the New Zealand public and the even larger TV audience. It also made me feel like we were all starting to rev up for the real stuff in a few weeks’ time.
But really the Auckland Nines delivered few surprises and left me a bit disappointed.
On the positive side there was the standard short form of footy stuff.
Plenty of tremendous individual tries were scored with Shaun Johnson (Warriors) an absolute standout.
Some outstanding individual tackling and incredible team defence (Cowboys won the whole thing because they were best at this aspect of the game, particularly on the goal-line).
Very sensible management of games by intelligent refereeing and accurate decision making without video replays (except for a couple of refs who went mad with penalties and one or two who just could not get the 50:50 calls right often enough).
There were however, the usual negatives.
Some clubs (see coaches) paid the tournament no real respect via selections or comments.
Notables who did not fall into this category were Cowboys, Parramatta, Warriors, Newcastle, Sharks and Broncos. The Roosters did not send a full strength side, but they were in a very tough situation with World Club Challenge near.
No-one appeared to be very well-prepared for it – one example being the conversions are worth half a standard try but not one player looked like capable of drop kicking the footy or had practiced for it.
Some players were seriously injured – Lachlan Coote (Cowboys winning the unluckiest player award).
So how are you feeling about Nines overall?
Does it really get you?
What would need to happen to make it absolutely capture the attention as T20 cricket has done in recent cricket seasons?
I think there are some older generation type people in that sport who still look down their noses at T20 as not as good as the real thing while others around them are counting the dollars rolling in from its broader appeal.
Some head coaches in our sport seem to be taking the same negative path and might need a wake up about how our game can grow with a different approach to this variation of footy from them.
It was great to see Wayne Bennett standing with his players on the sidelines and appearing to be driving the Knights towards a tournament victory.
Others were conspicuous by their absence as a sign of their contempt for this intrusion on the all-important preparation for the real thing.
Or would you prefer your club to be focussed totally on the NRL premiership?
If that’s a view that your club holds perhaps they should be allowed to not attend the Nines in future.
Perhaps the tournament organisers could instead invite Super League teams or Maori and Koori and Murri and Papua New Guinea and other Polynesian teams. I am confident they all would love a crack it.
Or perhaps the whole thing could be franchised like the IPL or Big Bash where players are contracted differently to other entities to be played in a different format over summer nights?
Whatever we do with it, let’s have players and teams who are out to win it not make up the numbers.
Or should we keep it going but forget all the serious, win at all cost approach and just treat it as many did which was like “kick and giggle”?
The promotional value of a weekend like the Auckland Nines provided for rugby league generally and the NRL specifically seems too good to mess up by involving anyone less than the totally committed.
Or should we just get rid of it?
What’s your take?
smithy
Guest
Hey Trent you got me there. What do we really mean when we use the term 50:50 ? Had a good think and now feel I should not use that expression any longer as what I really meant was that whenever a very difficult decision needed to be made as opposed to your description "decisions which could go either way". In my view there are a few only refs who repeatedly get those very difficult decisions WRONG. These judgements are most often on stripping, knock on or knock back, high contact and forward passes. Thanks for making me think carefully - my head's hurting but I will try to do better from here on.
Rugger
Guest
How so Banana Bob. More tackles or are NRL types just envious of growth of 7s Rugby. 7s Rugby is by far better product with contest for possession in facets.
Westie
Guest
Yes it does.
Blueberry
Guest
Yes, eight in total, but out of 26 that's not much. 16 out of the normal 30 for Rugby sevens is more of a difference. That was my point. I don't see it as THAT much different from normal league. Especially if it's just NRL teams
FrozenNorth
Guest
Sports Science has proven itself to be iffy at best, ask the Cricket team. Injuries are going to happen full stop, trying to blame incorrect prep is absurd. They may not be playing to their potential as it is a different skill set but to say they are using different muscle groups and that's why they get injured it absolute nuts and doesn't pass the smell test.
Jz
Guest
Trenno, 9"s are played every year in the Usa , and Rotterdam and now NZ thats 3 contents
Jz
Guest
Realy Blueberry , For starters their are 8 less players on the field, Zero scrums, 9 minuet half's with almost 5 try's scored in each half that's 10 trys in 18 minuets of action packed full throttled foot ball and you cant see any difference. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU !
Jz
Guest
it wont leave Nz, they came up with the idea to host it & fund it. and wont let it go
Jz
Guest
my god is this guy mental ? free flowing try after try after try, it was incredible. my self and 3 mates sat and watched every game for the two days. i like rugby 7's ... and now love League 9's . it has to stick around because even my AFL mates loved it
Banana Bob
Guest
Nines is clearly a more entertaining game then sevens. More hits, more bodies...just right.
Luke Andrews
Guest
9s have much greater potential internationally than it does at club level. It can be used as the vehicle to create international interest in the sport. Over shorter formats, smaller countries tend to be more competitive. A major factor in this is the depth that Aus, NZ & Eng have in comparison in RL to the developing markets. This evolution should be used to grow the sport as well as make money in established markets. The island nations lack the facilities to post professional sports teams, but they do have the capability to train a squad for a short tournament and be competitive. Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Cook Islands would be powerhouse nations if they were converted across. If this sport is already going to be displayed at the Commonwealth games it seems the powers that be are already looking toward the international path. It seems there is a lot of self-interest to bridge if the concept is going to be long term success of the concept if it is confined to the NRL teams. Just as their are specialist T20 and Rugby 7s players, their could be specialist 9s players but that progression is further down the track. For now the path forward should be solidify the current tournament; and put in the hard work and preparation needed to put on a good show in Scotland. Stranger concepts have taken off over the years.
Luke Andrews
Guest
Is it every continent? I know for the winter Olympics at least it is 3 continents and 25 countries. Handball has Asian and African countries (usually North African.)
scott
Guest
The broncos lost Jordan Kahu playing a trial this year but nobody during the nines.
turbodewd
Guest
Cricket needed T20 because the long form bores many. Rugby league has no similar problem. As long as the 9s gimmick-fest remains just 2-days I can stomach it, but I wont watch it. I only watch quality, no slap n tickle fests where 42yo commentators score intercept tries. I pray to Zeus that 9s doesnt morph into a 6-week summer comp which some maniac at NRL HQ thinks is a good idea.
Guy
Guest
Rugby 7s is already an Olympic sport. To qualify as an Olympic sport one criteria is that it must be played competitively on each continent. Though a few Olympic sports such as handball seems to have dodged that convention.
eagleJack
Guest
From a Manly perspective David Williams has been cleared of serious damage. He hopes to play in Rd 1. As do Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai who both picked up injuries playing against Cronulla in a trial. Neither have been named to play the Eels this week. But we wouldn't know they were injured from a trial as the Terrorgraph only want to highlight injuries from the 9s
Naught
I thought it was great. Loved watching it and seeing the event go well. Considering getting a crew for next year. I do however believe that this should remain a 1 off preseason event, not become a travelling circus as the T20 is.
Mark
Guest
Loved the 7s and now the 9s I would like to expand to 32 teams and play 1 round on Friday night. 2 rounds on Sat, Top 16 and QF Sunday with SF and Finals on Monday night. I would also bring back a plate finals series for top 8 international teams not involved in finals Where do the extra 16 teams come from? Top 4 ESL teams, 8 International teams, Top NSW Cup QLD Cup PNG Cup NZ Cup
Xavier
Guest
Its not an exhibition sport - its just being played at the same time... If its in the Olympics in 2030 I will give you a $1m - not a chance in hell esp as 2030 is a Winter Olympics year but not even by the summer games in 2032
Xavier
Guest
Its Wednesday - we just found out about Mullen - lets see what transpires...