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Opinion

Success of NRL preseason trials should put Nines back on the agenda

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Expert
22nd February, 2022
18

Before the Eels’ match against the Dragons on Sunday afternoon, I thought I would calmly watch and take little notice, given it was a trial

I was wrong.

The minute the game started, I was on the edge of my seat, cheering every break and cursing every error. A couple of minutes later I was crying into my drink after what would later be revealed to be a season-ending injury to Haze Dunster.

Just like a regular season game, supporting my team was a rollercoaster of emotions.

I still don’t think it’s worth reading too much into trial games, but my behaviour on Sunday demonstrated how excited I was to have footy back.

It seems I wasn’t the only one; all weekend my social media was lighting up with hot takes about players to watch and people just generally being excited.

The numbers back it up too. Most of the trials received six-figure ratings on Fox League and that’s before you include the numbers on Kayo. Compare this to the 74,000 people that watched the Super Rugby match between the Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels on Channel 9’s GEM and the decision to televise the preseason seems even more of a no-brainer.

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But I don’t want these broadcast numbers to introduce complacency, particularly as we (hopefully) progress past COVID. Additionally, it’s my view that many people, like me, were tuning in to get footy back on their screens and not because they had a particular interest in these games.

The past two years have been extremely difficult for sport. The pandemic has placed increased pressure on administrators, employees and most importantly our players. In order to keep seasons progressing, players have relocated, remained in hubs and had limited time with their families.

This is one of the reason that so many players decided not to compete in the All Stars fixture. After a long two years, another week in quarantine in a hotel may have seemed a bit too much to ask.

Jordan Rapana of the Maori All Stars is sent off for 10 minutes during the NRL All Stars match.

Jordan Rapana of the Maori All Stars is sent off for 10 minutes during the NRL All Stars match. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Given the impacts of the coronavirus, the decision to televise was an easy win. Clubs have always played in trial games, it is an important opportunity to test players and try new combinations. Given playing these games places no additional burden on clubs, why not put them on TV?

But the NRL must consider what an ideal preseason calendar looks like.

There are so many potential opportunities, but would require commitment from the NRL and the clubs alike to make them work.

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The World Club Challenge is a good example. The pandemic has meant that excuses for wriggling out of this game have been easy, but it is an important fixture, particularly given increased Aussie interest in Super League, with so many former NRL players competing there.

The All Stars game has been a permanent fixture but there are questions about where it fits best on the calendar and perhaps that’s worth consideration.

I would love to see the Nines concept return – for the men and the women. It was fun and another good opportunity for clubs to showcase a variety of players. The talk about expansion is constant, but the Nines presented a great opportunity to take the game to new places.

Jason Taumalolo NRL Nines

Jason Taumalolo and his Cowboys lift the NRL Nines trophy. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

I would hate to see the Nines become a COVID casualty, simply because it’s a lot easier just to televise preseason trial matches. There could even be an opportunity here to make it a World Nines and feature players from other rugby league playing countries.

In five years’ time, if all fans have to look forward to is the All Stars fixture (with clubs still baulking at their players being involved) and trials, it will be a missed opportunity for the game.

Our preseason can be so much more and expanding the calendar is an easy way to appease an audience that is already hungry for footy.

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One final point.

On Sunday, the NRL Women’s premiership starts with a triple-header in Newcastle.

Given the obstacles these women have had to overcome to play this ‘2021’ season, I encourage you all to channel your hunger for footy and turn on your televisions.

I promise you will not be disappointed.

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