Plans for Suncorp to ‘ own’ NRL 2019
QUEENSLAND can own the first half of the 2019 rugby league season if the State Government helps revive the NRL Nines concept at Suncorp Stadium next summer.
Talks between the NRL, the Government and government agencies are continuing over whether Suncorp Stadium will bid to host the two- day Nines tournament which the NRL wants to restore to their preseason schedule.
The State Government confirmed on Sunday it would support the Magic Round in May, 2019, to start a three- year contract.
The Magic Round will feature all 16 clubs in eight premiership matches across three days in the pre- season.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said earlier this year the Nines was an “opportunity’’ which could be brought to Queensland.
There will be some concerns that having the same 16 clubs playing at Suncorp earlier in the same year, albeit sending teams with some different personnel and playing shorter matches, could create confusion about the big- budget Magic Round with the public.
But a Nines at Suncorp in the pre- season, Broncos home games, the Magic Round in May and the prospect of Suncorp Stadium hosting Game One of the State of Origin series would complete a strong suite of events before June.
Greenberg said he was confident there would be a Round 1 game played overseas, which is expected to be in California.
“We have made some comments about opening the season in the US. We are working through the logistics but we are confident of making that happen,’’ he said.