International Wrap #1 - Time for a plan for 9's

This weekend saw the first World 9’s tournament. This is perhaps damning the international game with faint praise, but in rugby league, it is an achievement to get 12 separate nations simply competing in an international tournament.

Whilst I am personally not the biggest fan of this form of the game, you could argue that this is almost the point. The form of the game is fast-paced, less-structured and almost basketball like in nature. A form of the game that may appeal to those who are not fans of the 13-a-side game.

The evidence is limited admittedly, but this form of the game may be one that provides for more surprise results. Over the weekend, we saw Lebanon defeat England, New Zealand scrape past Papua New Guinea and, albeit briefly, the USA give Australia a fright.

Sadly, and not for the first time for an international event in Sydney, there appeared to be a distinct lack of local interest. 

One problem that we may encounter going forward is timing. Whilst having an all-day 9’s event seems appealing in early-summer in Sydney, it is less appealing during November in Northern England, that being the normal time for international competition.

The financial return of the tournament is likely to dictate the future steps. But now we have taken the first step on the ladder, let’s hope that we don’t make the same mistake that we so often make. Try something once and not following up on it.

Domestically, there is talk about changing the Magic Weekend to a 9’s tournament. I would caution against this. The Magic Weekend is widely, although this being rugby league not exclusively, seen as a success. When you have a winning formula, widespread changes are often ill-advised.

Furthermore, we tend to hold the Magic Weekend at a 50,000+ capacity stadium. To take a form of the game scarcely played in the UK to such a large stadium is fraught with more risk than Boris Johnson's Brexit strategy (ok maybe not quite that much)!

I have seen a suggestion that Super League may hold some 9’s events on Bank Holidays in 2020. This appears a sensible starting point. Perhaps hold a Western Conference 9’s event at St Helens and an Eastern Conference 9’s event at Leeds on the early-May bank holiday with a “finals” event later in the year? This would prove less of a financial risk and allow Championship clubs to take part.

Believe me, the idea of a "Magic Weekend" style 9’s festival at Manchester’s Etihad Campus would be magnificent, if it were guaranteed to work. Picture it. Super League 9’s at the main stadium, with Championship and League 1 events at the two smaller stadiums on the complex. That would be a true festival of rugby league. For now that is nothing more than a pipe dream, but what’s wrong with having a dream? 

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let's just go one rung up the ladder for now!