I suggest people read the article in Rugby League World this month with Lionel Hurst, the Uni of Gloucester All Golds President.

He mentions about the Nines in there - I believe - and how it was dropped from the calendar just as it was getting momentum.

Personally, I went to a few games and thought it was thoroughly enjoyable. I have always made a case for it as I think it would allow your players like Burrow, Robinson, Rangi Chase a real platform to showcase their silky skills, speed etc.

All it needs is 3 or 4 weekends per year. We need more big events and 20/20 undoubtedly reinvigorated cricket, 7's in union gets big crowds from cricket.

You need just one weekend you can include 32 teams in a straight knockout over a bank holiday weekend BUT, you need a cash incentive.
Without the incentive teams will plan this weekend for resting players or fitting in a quick operation.

Make it worth winning financially and teams will show up strong, make it worth winning and teams will actively welcome a 9's tournament.
Until then forget it.

If they keeping the magic weekend in the new structure the only feasible way to do it would be as the extra last round before the comp splits, and play it as 1v2 and so forth to add some weight to a few of the lower table fixtures. Otherwise it will be even more of a lame duck skewing the table than it is already.

9s ??? Pointless and the RL calendar is as full as it can be without silly gimmick comps.

Definite fan of the CC last 16 though, not exactly fair as it is as Catalan may as well start the league on +2 points

Why not make the CC just for Sl teams i mean if we are going to run it with 14 SL teams and 4 non Sl teams what is the point.

A ridiculous suggestion.

The nines would be good a idea with bit of money and a couple of invitational sides as well it would be a great idea.

The 9s is not a good idea it's a terrible one that's why it's been dropped before... we have a 30+ round league next season plus the CC the last thing we need is players getting injured/burnt out for a nothing silly gimmick com that nobody has any interest in other than a few dreamers on rlfans. either use the MM event for the first round after the split or the CC last 16.

I like the idea of having the MW as the first game after the split to even up the odd number of games so everybody plays 11 H+A before the split, 3 H+A after it + 1 neutral. But I think there are 2 sticking points with this: Would only the top tier have a MW or would everybody? You'd end up with only 4 games or you'd have to have 2 or 3 separate MWs. Also for it to be like this you'd be looking at the MW being mid-August as opposed to May. Would the Etihad be available that weekend? Is it too close to CCF? I think this is why the RFL have seemingly opted to keep the MW as an additional league fixture, which I'm not a massive fan of tbh.

I am a fan of the MW as a concept, and I've attended more than I've missed - but it really does need more of a purpose to keep the fans' interest. Have the RFL stated whether the 2nd tier will be having their own version of the MW, or will they play one game less prior to the split?

I also think the idea of using MW as the 1st fixture of the split.
It also gives fans a chance to save up for the play offs ( if your team is in it)

It does not matter which fixture of the split it is. So long as it's in those 7 games you can fit it around the August Bank Holiday.

Move the CC back to a start of season competition and compress the CC into a more easy to follow competition for FTA TV. Using a bank holiday in May for the final.

Easy.

I can't see the point of the Magic Weekend anymore it no longer does what it was intended for in expanding the game.
It looks as though Catalans and Leeds will near enough get a bye if Bradford and London financial problems transfer to the pitch.
On a positive note it does raise the London Average gate for the season.

Would sooner have it as an exciting 9's tournament, but would take a few seasons to get up and running as a worthwhile event.

Neither of these things will happen in either of out lifetimes JB, but I agree with your idea about swapping the magic weekend for a nines tournament. The extra fixtures do little to enhance SL as it stands, so better to create an "event" that can be attended by sports fans from across the country....Run the RFL 9's over a weekend where there's no soccer on, price the tickets at a decent level and market the friggin' nuts off it.


I know plenty of people over here who are attending the Auckland 9's who have never been to a Warriors game, or even a League game. They are going because the weekend is going to be an event and it's far cheaper than attending the Wellington 7's (which incidentally, haven't sold out this year).
The promoters of the Auckland 9's swapped the 2 days coverage for wall to wall advertising with SKY TV this year, they have got Auckland City Council to chip in with funding for 2 years, naming rights sponsors as well as agreements with the NRL and NRL clubs that at least 2 marquee players from each club will be there...they got the pricing spot on at $69 for 2 days (about 32 quid) and it's looking like they'll fill the place, delivering $3,000,000 in ticket revenue alone.

Working on a conventional knockout format with 32 teams, you have your 14 SL, 14 Championship which leaves 4 spots for invitational sides.
Invite union sides and you help get your media attention, invite both the semi finalists of the union 7's comps.

2 NRL regulars and Sam Tomkins in the NZ Warriors squad for the Auckland 9's.....the rest are reserve or u20 graders.......

9's could make RL in the UK.

I liked the nines competition that we had but it did not get many bums on seats(revenue for the clubs) so therefore non of the clubs risk top players getting injured. The more I read this thread I am inclined to go with the challenge cup option last 16 as that would guarantee at least 4 championship teams get a shot at big crowds & coverage. Also the chance to get the uneven fixture out of the calendar for super league. I also think if played over a three day bank holiday we could still have a once a year gathering of League fans in a festival atmosphere. It may even revitalise the cup? could we not invite city's to bid & sponsor a four game quarter finals at one venue & a Semi final double header?