‘Massive’ future, but where?

SYDNEY: NRL boss Todd Greenberg has all but guaranteed the Auckland Nines is set to stay beyond the 2018 tournament, but admits it could be headed elsewhere when its contract expires next year.

New Zealand’s largest city is preparing to host the fourth instalment of the seasonopening tournament after teams arrived in Auckland on Thursday.

However questions surround the future of the twoday event, with many suggesting next year’s event could be the last of its kind at Eden Park.

Greenberg confirmed the NRL would proceed with next year’s tournament despite the likelihood of topline players pulling out due to World Cup commitments at the end of the year.

‘‘Two things I’ll say, one is we have a fiveyear contract here and we plan to honour that. The second thing I’d say is that Nines has a massive future inside rugby league,’’ he said.

‘‘Where we decide to play those games and when we decide those games are all things that are being considered right now. But Nines has a future.

‘‘It has a future at the elite level, and it certainly has a future at the participation and grassroots level. We plan to grow it as best we can.’’

Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney are among the candidates to put their hand up to host the event, and Auckland will also be considered.

With more than $A2 million ($NZ2.1 million) prize money at stake, Greenberg said the financial reward on offer was a massive boon for not only the governing body, but the game, as well.

The winning team pockets $A370,000, while teams receive a minimum $A110,000 for turning up.

‘‘It is a very healthy commercial venture for the game and the clubs,’’ Greenberg said.

‘‘Millions of dollars go back into grassroots footy through a legacy programme here in Auckland. But also our NRL clubs, they’re all here taking a commercial return, as they should.’’ — NZN