Auckland 9's

[TITAN PETE]

You can't reduce the games played + add more teams , don't hear Green complaining

[TITAN PETE]

Include English teams in Nines: Tomkins
By James MacSmith
AAP
8:25pm Sun 16th February, 2014

England star Sam Tomkins has urged NRL Nines organisers to include Super League teams in next year's version of the tournament to build on the stunning success of the inaugural event.

NRL boss Dave Smith revealed in the lead-up to the event English sides Wigan, Leeds and Bradford had expressed a desire to be involved this year.

And as tournament organisers sit down this week to discuss how to improve on this year's event, Warriors superstar Tomkins, who was one of the Nines' leading lights, said English sides could add to the interest.

"It's definitely something I would like to see," Tomkins said.

"I don't see why they shouldn't do it. There is enough room for another few teams in this.

"The World Club Challenge is such a big thing for English fans, there is such interest in that.

"If there was a guest side or an English side in the Nines each year it would only attract more fans.

"I think it would be a great thing for the tournament to build on its success."

More than 89,000 people surged through the Eden Park turnstiles at the two-day event, merchandise sales more than tripled those budgeted for and there was a dearth of off-field incidents, making the NRL hopeful next year will be even bigger and better.

Most importantly it has the players' support, a lack of which led to the death knell of the previous Sevens format, including Brisbane captain Corey Parker.

"There has been a great buzz here all weekend and it is only going to get better," Parker said.

"There are guys at home watching this, watching the footy going on who will want to be a part of it, I know I certainly do.

"In the years going forward there are opportunities for this game to grow."

[Jonno12]

How did Sam Tagatese not make the Nines team of the tourno… he killed it!

[DIEHARD]

[DIEHARD]

Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines an economic success

The NRL today welcomed the release of new figures showing the inaugural Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines delivered more than $9 million in economic benefit to the city.

The Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) today released an economic impact statement on the tournament, which brought together the 16 NRL clubs in Auckland for one weekend in 15-16 February.

The NRL’s Head of Commercial, Paul Kind, said the tournament demonstrated the strength of rugby league as an exciting and popular game.

“The Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines succeeded because it was a great and innovative event – fast and exciting action on the field by the game’s best players,” Mr Kind said.

ATEED found the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines outstripped all of its first year targets by delivering:

• $9.35 million in GDP to Auckland – more than double the forecast return on investment.
• Attracting 6,000 Aussies from across the Tasman, plus a further 16,000 Kiwis from around New Zealand – all of whom stayed an average of three nights in Auckland.
• Delivering more than 68,000 visitor nights for Auckland’s accommodation sector.
• Providing more than one million television viewers from Australia (the tournament was televised on Fox Sports).
Mr Kind thanked Auckland Council for its support for the tournament, which was delivered through a three-way partnership with ATEED, event promoter Duco who approached the NRL with the idea, and the NRL.

“The NRL has a track-record in partnering with governments to deliver major events with strong economic returns – and the State of Origin series is another perfect example of this commitment,” he said.

The agreement for the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines will see the event hosted in Auckland for a further four years to 2017.

The date of next year’s event will be announced in the coming months, however, Mr Kind said it was again expected to be at the beginning of the year prior to the Indigenous All Stars in mid-February 2015.

http://www.nrl.com/

[DIEHARD]

Cricket won’t budge on rights to Eden Park for 30 days before World Cup.

Auckland's NRL Nines tournament is under threat next year because of an impasse between the National Rugby League and organisers of the Cricket World Cup over the availability of Eden Park.

The contract between Eden Park and Cricket World Cup 2015 states the ground must not host any events in the 30 days leading up to the first match between New Zealand and Australia on February 28, effectively locking down Auckland's biggest stadium from January 27.

But the Herald has been told the NRL will not allow the Nines to be staged before January 30, with the deadlock placing the 2015 tournament in jeopardy.

The Nines' major backer, Auckland Council, has today revealed the huge economic benefits produced for the city by this year's sold-out inaugural tournament.

Auckland NRL Nines general manager Trina Tamati confirmed organisers had asked the International Cricket Council to waive the lockout clause to allow the Nines to take place on the weekend of January 31 and February 1.

That would mean the ground would still be free for 27 days leading up to its first World Cup match. However, that request has so far been rejected by the ICC.

"They are making us jump through all sorts of hoops," Ms Tamati said. "Fundamentally we have no date. We are at the mercy of Eden Park and the ICC."

The need for Eden Park to be available should another earthquake strike Christchurch has been given as one of the reasons the ICC will not waive its exclusive-use clause, the Herald understands.

An ICC Cricket World Cup spokesman confirmed it had received a request to defer the exclusive-use period but it did not yet have enough information to make a decision.

"Turf experts are currently assessing the potential impact on our ability to present a world-class outfield for the ICC Cricket World Cup," the spokesman said.

"We would like Auckland to have a massive start to the year in terms of major events, with both the World Cup and NRL Nines playing a big role. However, it is imperative that we maintain the ability to deliver a world-class cricket venue."

The ICC appears to have no such concerns about Westpac Stadium, which will host the Wellington Sevens just 12 days before New Zealand plays its cricket World Cup pool match against England there.

Eden Park chief executive David Kennedy said the delay over the confirmation of the dates for the Nines was the fault of promoters Duco Events. Duco Events director David Higgins declined to comment.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development chief executive Brett O'Riley said he was optimistic a solution would be reached.

Nines dates conflict
*No dates have been set for Auckland's NRL Nines tournament due to a clash with the Cricket World Cup.
*Eden Park to be locked down from January 27 - 30 days before first cricket match.
*NRL will not allow Nines to take place before January 30.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/

[Toads]

The NRL has buckley's of getting the ICC to accommodate them. If the NRL insists on being at Eden Park, they'll have no choice but to slot it in before January 27.

[DIEHARD]

The NRL has buckley's of getting the ICC to accommodate them. If the NRL insists on being at Eden Park, they'll have no choice but to slot it in before January 27.

That's just not cricket. But yea, bit of an oversight. I hope a solution can be found.