Penrith boss calls for Auckland Nines to be scrapped

Jacko, he is getting $485k minus 9% gets approx $425k. NRL players can also average out wages over more years than they play too. Andrew Fifita said he would jump at he chance of getting the same money.

Harry they only pay 8% tax as a pro sportsman in France so around $640k in the hand for Radradra per season v $200k in NRL

Sorry the big one soo

2017 Preseason injuries... Kurt Baptiste - Achilles - indefinite Darcy Ludwick - wrist - round 6 Rory Kostjacyn - throat - round 7 Mose Masoe - knee - indefinite Drew Hutchinson - ACL - indefinite Plus those who should be right for round 1 Dale Funiucan Robbie Farrah Ban Matalino Yes Mr Fletcher.... maybe we should ban training too... Oh and trial games... Oh and the bog one in the middle of the season State of Origin...

Love the 9's and can't be thankful enough to the cows broncs and eels for sending terrific sides...but certainly can't condemn the Panthers for feeling reticent..still stinging from 2015 where they were forced to use 10 different pairs of halves...

A winger in RU is always going to command more than RL anyway, there really isnt much we can do there. Other positions haven't been so substantial.

LIke all Fletcher's that have been told by thier mothers "think before you speak son" this is just another member of the tribe that chose not to listen. There is no real down side to the nines, odd favorities return for one more day in the sun, young fellas get a chance to prove themselves, the NRL enconomy is strengthen, where is the bad side. Fletch your players can get hurt anytime so whats the point of holding them back from the nines tourament???

If the NRL came to Fletcher/Gould and the Panthers establishment and said we want to hold the Nines at Pepper Stadium/across the road from Panthers World of Entertainment next year - all of the sudden, player welfare wouldn't be such a high priority to them....

From an economic viewpoint, the game needs to to expand. Japanese and European rugby will pick the best of the talent for their competitions if players' wages don't grow. Radradra has gone from $200k to $425k (after tax), so you can imagine how long he spent thinking about his move to French rugby. Mr Fletcher will find that players will tend to reflect the loyalty given to them by those running the game.

Though, I still love the 9's and hope it stays as part of the rugby league calender for a long time in the future, heck I'd love to see it expanded and invite S/L teams, European teams and even Nth American teams. As another post said.. Bryan Fletcher, Gus Gould and Penrith pull your heads in. Injuries are part of our game, if not for injuries to Peter Wallace and Te Marie Martin last season we still would not know much of Nathan Cleary. I mean Penrith even had a very handy back rower playing 5/8 (Cartright) with peple calling for a permantent move there, obviosly hthey haven't seen what Martin can do yet. Move along nothing to see, 2017 NRL Season is about to start in a bit over a month and the bee sting head Gould starts sniping, as per usual.

Right they should be... Here is the 2016 NRL Premiership Prize money Prizemoney during the Finals series: • Minor Premiers ($100,000) • Finals Week 1 loser ($20,000 per team) • Finals Week 2 loser ($30,000 per team) • Finals Week 3 Losers ($100,000 per team) • Grand Final Runner Up ($200,000) • Grand Final Winner ($400,000) Yep $400k to win a comp that runs for 26 weeks. The winner of the 9's takes home $370k... Not bad for a weekends work.

Wait, so you're saying that people who compare the Nines to the BBL and the Sevens, need to consider that these tournaments don't have "big names." However the BBL has resulted in huge crowds and TV audiences and brought new fans to the game while the Sevens has grown in popularity to the point where it is now an Olympic sport. Yet you say that these are Mickey Mouse tournaments because they don't have "big names." Even though you also say that these tournaments "don't need" big names. Clear as mud.

if the nines winner gets the same as the premiership winner then the NRL should be ashamed of itself

That these mickey mouse comps don't need the names

Wishful thinking. I would like to see NRL 7's and some competition with ARU 7's. A win win all round. Good fun.

I think the Nines are a great idea. Its fast paced and fun and will pick up the sports fan who might not be prepared to sit through a whole NRL game. The tournament itself has a carnival atmosphere and is a great way to bring in the non-leagues the same way that 7s rugby does for Union. Amazing how far 7s rugby has gone from its humble beginning and it now has its own competition with specialist players and is an Olympic sport. On a side note, how about that Cowboys team to the Nines this year!? That's pretty much their top team going and I'll be very surprised if they don't win it. Broncos also not far behind with the team that they named as well as Parramatta. Can't wait for the Nines to start. Apart from seeing some free flowing fast paced rugby league I'm also keen to see how the newbies in the Storm team perform as they will be pushing for positions in the 17 for round 1.

The worst team ever affected was Manly last year who lost Buhrer for a few months, third string hooker Hodges and Jake T got concussed.

If the tournament runs it's course in Auckland, I'm sure they can take it on the road, add Super league teams or do any number of things to improve interest. That's the beauty of a concept like this, it's got a lot more potential to be fiddle with without alienating people.

I don't think Brookie has ever been enthusiastic about this circus. Last year probably cemented their view. They lost their back up hooker, Jayden Hodges, for the season with an ACL. Jamie Buhrer had his jaw broken in a cowardly high tackle by the Warrior's Vete. The Warriors starred again when Konrad Hurrell kneed Jake Trbojevic in the head leaving him with concussion. And Tom T did something to his ankle from memory. No, we're not going to see Snake play four games a day.

You'd have to take that up with the Sevens guys - they placed it on that weekend quite specifically I would imagine.