Auckland Nines at sixes and sevens
The future of the Auckland Nines is hanging by a thread, with there even being the possibility that this will be the last time it’s held in the city.
2018 is the final year of the fiveyear agreement between the NRL, Duco Events and Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (Ateed).
But NRL CEO Todd Greenberg yesterday said he would have discussions with Duco and Ateed about next year’s tournament, let alone signing a new deal for beyond next year.
‘‘This is the fourth year in a row we’ve been here and we’ve got a huge amount of respect for two key partners, which is Duco and Ateed,’’ Greenberg said.
‘‘You’ve got to remember the history here. These two partners came to us when this was never heard of.
‘‘We’ve got a strong five-year agreement with them and we’ve got to talk to them about what we do in the last year of that.
‘‘They’ve been good to us and the game. We’ll have those discussions, we’ve started them and what we do for 2018, we’re open to.’’
When pressed on whether those discussions included not having the Nines in Auckland next year, Greenberg said he would talk to Duco and Ateed about all options.
‘‘At the moment the fifth year is committed with both Duco and Ateed,’’ he said. ‘‘If they have an appetite to think about other options, we’re open to talking to them about it.
‘‘We’re very committed to the fifth year of that contract, as we should be, they’ve been good partners, they’ve been great for rugby league.’’
Ateed CEO, Brett O’Riley said he was confident the Auckland Nines would take place next year, but acknowledged it could be the last.
However, losing the Nines could increase the chances of bringing a State of Origin game to Auckland.
‘‘Certainly, there is nothing so far which suggests to me that there won’t be a 2018 Nines,’’ Ateed CEO Brett O’Riley said.
‘‘Then beyond that, they’ve signalled pretty clearly that they’re going to run a competitive process, which is fine.
‘‘But they’ve also signalled to us that they’re committed to bringing rugby league content here.
‘‘That’s encouraging, because the Nines is important today, but we would be keen on a State of Origin if the numbers stack up.
‘‘We’re keen to have New Zealand v Australia test matches here and also we’ve talked about a few other ideas of content we could work with them on.
‘‘The immediate focus is agreeing what happens for 2018 and we have a contract and then what does a fiveyear view look like around State of Origin, test matches and other ideas we’ve discussed.’’
The Auckland Nines tournament has been in gradual decline each year.
There were 89,000 spectators over the weekend in 2014 but, when Duco
The immediate focus is agreeing what happens for 2018. Ateed CEO Brett O’Riley
substantially increased the ticket price the following year, some fans voted with their feet.
Even though ticket prices were lowered for 2016, there has been a steady drop off each year since matched by growing interest to host the tournament from Australian cities.
‘‘It’s fair to say there is an appetite from a number of state governments [prepared to bankroll] this event,’’ Greenberg said.