Storm star Ryan Hoffman wants the NRL to create a league version of cricket’s IPL

STORM star Ryan Hoffman wants the NRL to follow in the footsteps of cricket and create a league version of the IPL.

MELBOURNE Storm star Ryan Hoffman wants the NRL to follow in the footsteps of cricket and create rugby league’s version of the Indian Premier League.

Hoffman will captain Melbourne in this weekend’s inaugural NRL Auckland Nines, which has already proven a hit with both days at Eden Park sold out well in advance.

It is the first time NRL has experimented with the exciting nine-a-side format.

The Storm backrower is a fan of the Nines concept and would like to see it go further with every NRL player placed into an auction like in the hugely popular IPL.

News_Image_File: Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson’s contract was sold to IPL team The Kings XI for $1.15 million.

Under his plan, teams would be sold off and made up of players from every NRL club to compete in a three-week tournament.

Although he conceded it would require a shorter NRL premiership season.

“I’d like to see the concept get bigger,” he said.

“Maybe in the future it could end up like the IPL where some wealthy business owners want to own a team and we put all the NRL players into an auction.

“You could to that and run the Nines for three weeks, which would be an exciting concept.

“But obviously you would need some give in the NRL season.”

News_Image_File: The Perth Scorchers celebrate after winning the Big Bash series.

The huge success of the Big Bash League has resulted in other sports looking to implement similar competitions to entice fans and sponsors.

Hoffman said the possibilities were endless and believed there was a huge potential to grow the game in non-traditional markets.

“I’d like to see maybe having two tiers with developing nations be a part of it,” he said.

“There could be an NRL tier and a developing nations tier.

“I want to see it go forward, but for that to happen there needs to be some leeway in the NRL season itself.”

News_Image_File: Ryan Hoffman in Melbourne Storm’s Nines jersey.

If Hoffman’s plan is to be considered, a lot will depend on the success of the next two days — which will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.

All NRL teams remain unsure of the best tactics to implement in Auckland.

“When people thing of Nines, they usually think of it being free flowing with lots of outside backs,” Hoffman said.

“But I still think you’re going to have to do the basic rugby league things.

“You still need to get momentum and that go forward.

“I don’t think we’ll go too far away, but we’ll need to have a bit more ball movement and use that space.”

News_Rich_Media: John Folau, Ben Barba, Chris Sandow, Brad Fittler and Steve Menzies are among the ones to watch during the NRL Auckland Nines this weekend.

A Storm side missing the “big three” of skipper Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk will tackle Penrith and South Sydney today before clashing with the Dragons tomorrow.

“We’ve come up with some theories and some game plans on how we’re going to do stuff,” he said.

“We’re a bit lucky being one of the later games on the first days because we will get a chance to see how other teams are going about it.

“We may adjust but we have some plans in place.”