rlhttp://www.totalrl.com/column-super-league-nines-now-viable-ever-heres-run/rl

Just read this on Total RL and wondered what everyone's thoughts are on it.
If I'm honest I really like the idea of having a 9's tournament like they do in the southern hemisphere but just cant see this happening.
If I read the article right (I'm sure I did) Aaron Bower thinks the RFL should stage the event mid season over a bank holiday getting rid of the MW, also having 4 championship teams involved. I really get the idea that this could be a big money spinner for the sport and give it some much needed media attention but would anyone really be happy playing a bunch of meaningless friendlies mid season for no competition points and the risk of loosing players to injury? The 9's concept works so well as part of the NRL pre-season I just don't think it will be so well received over here and mid season.
Thoughts????

Personally, I wouldn't attend. If it's in place of magic, I'd be very disappointed. I've been to four magic events for just the day Hull played, and for the first time this year I'll be staying over. Really looking forward to it, and the fact that super league points are at stake swings it for me. Not sure I'd be as willing to fork out for some pointless tournament.

Needs to be preseason but wont work here because its still winter weather and the grounds are too wet for nines rugby.

is this a direct response to the news cricket is creating a new twenty20 league, which may have an impact on superleague attendances?

cricket is pushing the boat out to try to win over new fans of the game (should have done it 5 years ago mind), is RL going to follow suit

if they do try it, the big name players need to play, not just the reserves.

it would be interesting especially with a few tweaked rules but i just cannot see traditional RL fans embracing it, and god knows, we have seen so much evidence of this over the years

Give a World Club Challenge place to the winner. That would create a bit of interest in it. Plus a decent whack of prize money. As long as the RFL can get it televised (doesn't have to be SKY/BBC - let the bidding begin), and they stipulate in the rules that x amount of your team have to have played x amount of SL games in the last year/two years, then that would guarantee first team players involved and a good audience (in the ground and on television) watching it.

Chuck in one-off kits (for charity?) and clubs being able to include a club legend as part of their match day squad, and it would certainly be a sellable tournament.

How about holding a preseason 9's comp in a covered stadium ?

You mean Cardiff?

that would work

Cardiff 9s. I'd go to that.

You have to convince the clubs to risk players. Prize money and off-cap cash for players would work if there was enough of it.

It would cost a fortune to have the stadium, could we fill it (or even half fill it) even for a one day round robin tournament?

Two day event with Womens nines comp mixed in

Would it get the attendance though?

I can't see Super League clubs wanting a tournament in the middle of a season, so this leaves pre season possibly February at Cardiff with the roof closed.
Some people may like the idea but it still doesn't appeal to me. I went to the MW opener in 2011 and it was freezing, the big appeal over in Oz is its pre season and its still their summer.

No interest whatsoever from me. Wouldn't attend or watch. Keep MW.

i enjoyed the 9s a few seasons ago when group winners went to headingley, clubs made it a family night, but it was also teams made up of u19s/21s with sprinkling of senior players the second time around