$3m league weekend plan
NRL Nines tournament would bring the game’s stars to Auckland
A PLANNED National Rugby League $3 million-prizemoney ninea-side weekend competition in Auckland would be the richest league tournament in the world, its promoters say.
The annual event, which would involve the entire first-grade sides from all 16 NRL clubs, is set to launch in January 2014.
Former Kiwis player Dean Lonergan and business partner David Higgins say their NRL Nines could surpass the Wellington Sevens in audience figures and prizemoney.
It is understood the winning team would take home up to A$500,000 ($636,000), and all the clubs would be guaranteed a six- figure sum for turning up to the weekend extravaganza.
‘‘It will be the country’s biggest sporting event,’’ Lonergan predicted. ‘‘If we draw 100,000 over two days, then there will be nothing that matches that. I think it could also be the richest sporting event in the country.’’
Higgins added: ‘‘ We believe it has the potential to become the most iconic, most valuable annual event here, and a fixture for Auckland for generations to come.
‘‘It would take the sold-out party atmosphere of the Wellington Sevens and the dynamite on-field product of the best players, best clubs and best competition in the world and make the perfect event.’’
Lonergan said all 16 NRL clubs had expressed provisional support for the tournament.
A commitment to sending their full first-grade squads would mean spectators getting to see the game’s superstars such as Kiwis captain Benji Marshall, Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen in action.
Auckland Council’s events arm, ATEED, has given provisional agreement to provide financial backing.
Sky TV may televise the event, Lonergan said.
Higgins and Lonergan first pitched the event to the NRL in August, and will tomorrow meet senior officials, including interim chief executive Shane Mattiske, to finalise arrangements. Lonergan said he was confident a contract would be signed by next month. Among the backers is former Australian captain and league legend Mal Meninga, Lonergan said.
NRL communications director John Brady said, after the first meeting between the NRL and the nines backers: ‘‘There was significant interest from the clubs but there is a lot of work to make it happen.’’
Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said: ‘‘Any concept that brings international football to this country we would be extremely excited about, and as a concept it would be a fantastic way to launch the season.’’
Higgins said: ‘‘I want to stress it is not a done deal. The NRL and the clubs are doing due diligence. We are in the hands of the NRL and the clubs, but it would be a privilege to work with one of the most forwardthinking and innovative sporting organisations in the world.’’
But he described the nines as a potential ‘‘Holy Grail’’.
Higgins and Lonergan are in discussions with Eden Park, but say they would also consider building huge temporary stands at Mt Smart to raise its capacity to 45,000.
ATEED confirmed its provisional support for the event, saying it had made a ‘‘conditional commercial sponsorship offer’’ but wouldn’t reveal numbers.
It said it believed it could become an ‘‘economic anchor event . . . a fantastic event for Auckland’’.