Suncorp Stadium in frame to host NRL Nines

AFTER dwindling crowds marred day one, NRL boss Todd Greenberg flagged moving the Nines away from Auckland — and Brisbane is right in the running.

BRISBANE’S Suncorp Stadium is in line to snatch the NRL Nines from Auckland.

NRL boss Todd Greenberg flagged the move as dwindling crowds on Saturday marred the Nines at Auckland’s Eden Park.

The Kiwi ground has been the home of the Nines since the event’s inception in 2014, but an estimated 22,000, which is less than half Eden Park’s 50,000 capacity, attended Saturday’s opening day. The first season witnessed sellout crowds at Eden Park, but on Saturday there were thousands of empty seats.

Greenberg said the NRL would explore the prospect of taking the Nines to Brisbane next year amid fears the Kiwi public is losing interest in rugby league’s version of cricket’s Big Bash.

Greenberg has begun talks to discuss the future of the concept, with Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane touted as possible locations to host the Nines next February.

International markets such as Singapore and North America have also expressed interest in hosting the Nines.

“We’ve started those discussions and what we do for 2018, we are pretty open to,” Greenberg said.

Footy fans get in full voice at the Auckland Nines at Eden Park. Picture: Jenny Evans

“I wouldn’t say I have concerns, but this is the fourth year in a row we have been here.

“We have huge respect for two key partners which is Duco and AT (Auckland Tourism). We have a strong five-year agreement and we will talk to them about what we do in the last year of that agreement.

“I don’t see us signing a five-year deal in one location in the next five-year cycle. This is a great event that has got legs in a lot of different markets, including Auckland.

“Suncorp would be an option. It’s fair to say there is an appetite from a number of governments about this event.

“Melbourne has invested hugely in their stadiums, Perth is about to open a brand new stadium, South Australia have opened a brand new stadium and you’ve got the world’s best stadium, which is Suncorp.

“We’re in a very strong position to be able to talk to all of these governments about what the Nines can bring.’’

An estimated 22,000 fans attended day one of the Auckland Nines.

Duco Events, which created the Nines concept, brokered a five-year agreement with the NRL which expires following next year’s event.

The same company is the architect of rugby’s inaugural Global Tens tournament which kicks-off this Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.

It is possible Suncorp could host the Nines and Tens on consecutive weekends, with a Duco spokesman saying they are open-minded about a move to Brisbane.

“Dean Lonergan and David Higgins (Duco directors) will be speaking with Todd Greenberg in the near future to discuss the future of the Nines,” Duco communications chief Jim Banaghan said.

“Anything is possible, including holding the Nines at Suncorp.”

Gideon Gela-Mosby scores a try for the Cowboys against the Raiders during the 2017 Auckland Nines.

One issue for the NRL to consider is the duration of the season. The World Cup final will be held on December 2 and the NRL is aware of the demands of travelling to New Zealand for the code’s best stars.

Cowboys champion Johnathan Thurston said the NRL should consider moving the Nines to Australia.

“It would be great to take the Nines to other places in Australia and let those communities experience what Nines is all about,” he said.

“It’s a good weekend and it would be nice if they could take it to other communities in New Zealand or Australia.’’