Rugby league players could be miked up for Nines tournament

TWENTY20 theatrics will invade rugby league with the NRL considering placing microphones on players during the Nines tournament.

Matt Gillett

TWENTY20 theatrics will invade rugby league with the NRL considering placing microphones on players up for on-field commentary during the inaugural Nines tournament.

The Auckland Nines will be officially launched in New Zealand this morning, with government officials across the ditch describing it as the country's “greatest annual sporting festival’’.

The tournament will be played on February 15-16 at Eden Park with all 16 NRL clubs to compete for a prize pool exceeding $2 million.

Contrary to initial reaction, the $450,000 prizemoney on offer for the winner will see many of the NRL's stars play in the tournament including Rugby League World Cup players.

Clubs receive $90,000 just for participating with the sign-on rules dictating 12 of their NRL top-25 list be included in a 16-man squad.

At least one of those players must be among the club's top-five highest earners. The Brisbane Broncos would likely choose Matt Gillett as their marquee with Josh Hoffman also favoured to play although he will be a fixture for the Kiwis in the World Cup.

The festival will see Fox Sports trial innovations such as wiring players for commentary and potentially head-gear cam.

Rule variations will also be instituted.

“Everything is on the table,’’ NRL football operations manager Nathan McGuirk said.

“We will be looking at ways to engage fans at the venue and at home watching it on television.

“There are a number of exciting innovations we will be revealing soon.’’

Under the tournament format, 16 NRL clubs will be divided into four team pools with each team to compete against each opponent from within their pool.

The top two teams from each pool progress to the next stage of the tournament. Matches will be played over two nine-minute halves (18-minute matches) with the NRL's Competition Committee to develop specific rules for the Nines tournament.