Clouds over the Nines horizon

Year four of the NRL Auckland Nines could be the last of its kind.

Shaun Johnson, Johnathan Thurston and Jarryd Hayne - three of the biggest names in the game are expected to turn out at Eden Park next weekend, with a crowd of around 30,000 predicted for the two-day event. Six of last year’s Premiership-winning Sharks side will also make the trip, and Benji Marshall is set for his Broncos debut.

But with the Rugby League World Cup bookending this season, concerns centre on how many stars will be available for the fifth and final year of the contract, which has been backed by $12 million investment from Auckland council’s Ateed.

The World Cup doesn’t finish until December 2, and with some senior players instructed to take up There’s obviously some issues next year around player availability due to the Rugby League World Cup. The NRL is aware of that so we’ll have to have a close look. to seven weeks off under mandatory stand-down rules - a new collective bargaining agreement this year may increase the rest period further - getting access to crowddrawing superstars could prove difficult in 2018.

While the NRL appear keen to retain the Nines concept, doubt remains over how next year’s tournament will be run, and whether Australia will make a play to pinch hosting rights post 2018.

‘‘Ultimately it’s going to be an NRL decision,’’ Duco Events and Nines promoter Dean Lonergan said. ‘‘While we come up with the concept they’re the ones that agreed to do it in partnership with us. We’ll sit down after this year and see exactly what happens.

‘‘There’s obviously some issues next year around player availability due to the Rugby League World Cup. The NRL is aware of that so we’ll have to have a close look. At the end of the day the success and failure of this is how many stars you get in the middle of that field. You can’t run it without the stars, that’s the key.’’

In the three years to date the Nines has featured 44 Kiwis players, 43 Kangaroos and 45 State of Origin representatives. Paul Gallen, Sam Thaiday and Manu Vatuvei among others have all had a crack.

‘‘The NRL has a lot of stuff to work through with the players’ association, us and Ateed and to make sure we put together something that works. ‘‘They are committed to the Nines for a long period of time. They like it as a season-opener. All of the clubs get a cash injection [contesting $2.25 million in prize money] at a time when they normally lose money on preseason games. ‘‘

The worry for organisers is crowds are already on the decline. The tournament was close to a sellout in 2014, with 44,500 attending each day, but dropped to 40,680 the following year. Around 35,000 turned up last year, and 25,000 tickets were sold as of Friday.

That follows a familiar trend with these such events. The Wellington Sevens, once the hottest ticket in town, now struggles to attract punters after a clampdown on drinking and waning interest.

‘‘We’re happy with where it’s at,’’ Lonergan said. ‘‘One thing that would’ve made a massive difference this year would have been the Warriors making the top eight because it builds expectation. New Zealand is a one team football town, so considering the Warriors lost their way at the back end of the season I’m incredibly happy.

‘‘Had the Warriors made the finals we would probably have sold another 10,000 tickets and be sold out by now.’’