The Auckland Nines were a great success and nobody can deny that but I think that a key to making it better is to expand it.
I believe the tournament did not go for long enough, and to extend it more teams must be added.
To start off with they certainly need to add the Super League teams to the cohort.
Also, with Steve Menzies and Brad Fittler making a return, if more and more retired players want to start coming back then why not make a NRL retired super team to compete in the competition? Just imagine players like Darren Lockyer, Allan Langer, Andrew Johns, Craig Fitzgibbon and Mark Gasnier in the one team.
What about including a Super League retired all-stars team, with Sean Long and Paul Wellens?
Adding the Super League teams to the Nines will certainly make it a far more expansive game because they wouldn’t know the other competitions teams’ strengths and weakness as well.
Just imagine games like the Broncos versus St. Helens, Manly versus Leeds and the Storm versus Wigan.
All this would make for a far more interesting tournament for all.
How about even getting it on free-to-air, as it would certainly boost the ratings.
And for the NRL and Super League retired super team, why not open the voting to the public?
The Auckland Nines were a success but with more tweaking the tournament could become a powerhouse.
Norfolk
Roar Rookie
Eh, I more of a traditionalists. I know a soccer game goes for 90 minutes, so when I watch it I get stuck in. I might put a bet on, get take way, at least a coffee or something and I'm generally following the league and am interested in the result, e.g Mabil progress at Adelaide, Wellingtons passing game, WSW tactics. Same with Cricket, rugby and AFL. I even got stuck into Sochi Ice Hockey. I know sport is a product and people want there fix, but do it properly. Test Cricket is great for intrciateies of cricket, some say newbies don't understand and the game will die. The game won't die if 'young people' can't be bothered to watch it, because 'dying' just means how rich it is. Exact same for Rugby, "Super 15 dying". Rugby will always exist the Australian psyche, with the backing of HSBC or not.
Scrubbit
Guest
As my dad told me: everything starts as an idea, grows into a concept, sprouts into a plan, starts on pay tv, flourishes on FTA. Just kidding. My dad just said all the good stuff starts on galaxy and he has to wait years before he can watch it fta
Adam Smith
Guest
Like with most (if not all) live sports, you're limited to specific brands and high prices. Fact of life I guess. I'd guess it's a large part of their profits.
Adam Smith
Guest
This may not be specifically on reduced player numbers, but reduced time games. I personally MUCH prefer T20 vs Test cricket because I can actually sit and watch the whole game start to finish. With tests, I just tune into highlights or follow the score. It's impossible to watch cricket 5 days straight x 5 weeks. Rugby 7s is also much shorter, but I prefer 15s. Only recently have I actually learned to like 7s, mainly to see the unknown countries take part e.g. Fiji, Kenya, Canada, Portugal. And the lack of scrums means more running rugby, which is great. I haven't seen Rugby 9s yet but I'm keen to find it somewhere, somehow.. maybe Youtube... With Field Hockey 'super series' i can watch the whole game, whereas I have never in my life watched a full hockey game start to finish due to its length. The one I am most waiting for is short version of Soccer, because again I just can't watch 90 minutes of it - it's just too boring. I'd love to see something like 30 minute halves and unlimited substitution.
Adam Smith
Guest
I can't get Foxtel where I live, but there's no doubt Foxtel is helping grow sport in this country. I don't think we should bag them. I think they made Big Bash League into an awesome comp, and now that it's on FTA it's even bigger. But without Foxtel it would not have got to that stage. But Foxtel should offer an Internet viewing option (at a premium price of course) as there are still many of us that can't get Foxtel (e.g. my apartment building doesn't have the connection). I would gladly hand over some coin to get access to the games online, even if it's delayed.
Adam Smith
Guest
I love this idea the most! If even just the island nations like Samoa, Fiji, Tonga. You know, they could even have a 'proposed expansion team' competition (even 15s Rugby). Perth Pirates, Central Coast Bears, Adelaide somethings, Brisbane Team 2 somethings, Melbourne Team 2 somethings, Canberra, Wollongong, Geelong, Darwin, Hobart etc. Good for scouting, good for identifying the teams that are most successful at winning games, and to see how big the crowds can be. For example, if Perth Pirates draw huge crowds (with Perth folk knowing it is the best opportunity they have of joining the NRL) and they win most of their games, it could be the catalyst for entry.
vincent
Guest
The way things are going there won't be a commonwealth games by the time Rugby League meets the required COG standards. And both sports short forms will continue to develop without much impact on the other, the world is a big enough place for 7s and 9s.
Storm Boy
Guest
Really enjoying the winter Olympics. Lots of athletes crashing and getting head knocks, broken bones and worse. No doctors complaining in the media about damage from concussions or not sitting weeks out after a knock. No action from the officials to change the rules.
Storm Boy
Guest
Just seen this from a few days ago. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/nines-a-threat-to-sevens-says-oneill/story-e6frg7o6-1226828781146# Nines a threat to sevens, says O'Neill "There isn't room for both nines and sevens in the Commonwealth Games." O'Neill said rugby union had to always remember that rugby league was the enemy.
Avatar
Roar Guru
I agree with bringing some English Super League sides into the fray here. Would make this tournament a whole lot interesting. I also agree with retired players coming together and forming a team, but imagine the thought of Lockyer opposing the Broncos and Johns weaving his magic against the Knights. Never thought it possible. Another way to improve the Auckland Nines is if the tournament was telecast on Channel Nine, to give starving league fans some action before the season proper starts. As you can imagine it was a massive success last weekend and hopefully future editions will be bigger and better. It must remain on the NRL calendar as a pre-season tournament, similar to what the AFL had with the NAB Cup!
Gazzatron
Guest
Wild buck is top of the line compared to lion red haha
maximillian
Guest
Next year they should sell better beer! They had Wild Buck for $8 a cup! It tastes like ass but you can buy a doz from the liquor store for $17 so its a ripoff! Aren't the Warriors sponsored by Lion Red anyway?
vincent
Guest
What about an undead team? Bring back players like Dally Mesenger and Clive Churchill, resurrected as Vampires, Spectres or Zombies. It could new meaning to the term 'Immortals'.
Fivehole
Guest
T20 is still 11 a side - but i know what you are getting at.
Norfolk
Roar Rookie
Why do sports feel the need to reduce the players for a 'entertainment'? T20, Rugby 7's... and RL 9's... don't find them interesting at all.
Danny
Guest
Good one Epiquin!
蜘王
Guest
Should be Nines Polo, and the players are riding horses
melbourneterrace
Guest
People whinging about FTA, if it wasn't on Foxtel/SkyNZ it wouldn't exist.
Epiquin
Guest
Games shouldn't end until the snitch is captured!
Fivehole
Guest
A few island "international" temas minus NRL players would be a good addition like in the sevens - Loved the PNG vipers back in the day. Could have Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, the Cooks etc. Would be good value, and be underdogs with good support versus the established teams. Coul also trot out some proposed expansion teams (eg Perth Pirates, Central Coast Bears etc) but that may be a bridge too far