Ben Barba playing for the indigenous all stars against the NRL all stars. Source: AAP
CHIEF executives from all 16 NRL clubs will converge in Sydney on Monday to decide on a major overhaul of the 2014 pre-season, which could include the scrapping of the annual NRL and Indigenous All Stars concept and the introduction of a Super Nines tournament in New Zealand.
This year's World Cup, which will feature the game's elite, is placing pressure on the All Stars match which will be played just over two months after the World Cup final on November 30.
The serious concern for player burnout following the World Cup features heavily throughout a 14-page document sent to all 16 clubs, which The Sunday Telegraph has obtained ahead of Monday's CEO conference at League Central.
The document explains how the NRL has agreed with the players association to undertake research into the possible impact of the World Cup on the 2014 pre-season "with a focus on the All Stars match".
The Sunday Telegraph has been told that the NRL will discuss three options surrounding the All Stars with all 16 CEO's Monday including:
* Postponing the 2014 All Stars for one year;
* Gaining a commitment to the All Stars from the game's best players, including Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Greg Inglis;
* Sacrificing the credibility of the concept by keeping the All Stars concept, but without the game's best players involved.
The CEO conference will almost certainly see all 16 clubs show a vote of confidence in the lucrative Nines tournament, which will see the winner pocket $2.2 million - more than what the NRL premiers receive.
Former Test forward Gorden Tallis, who in 2008 was named in an Indigenous Australian rugby league team of the century, said any decision to rest the All Stars match should be made for the right reasons.
"The All Stars has made some wonderful traction," Tallis said. "It's shown that it is bigger than race. It's a celebration of the game.
"The work the players do with the NRL and the Earn, Learn, Legend programs during the All Stars week has a greater impact on society than any other game that is played.
"It's a game I would have loved to have played in. Has it run its race? I don't think so."
THE NINES
ONCE approved, the Auckland Nines will be held on February 15 and 16 at Eden Park, the home of rugby union in New Zealand. Make no mistake, the decision to stage the Nines at Eden Park is a deliberate and direct attack on rugby union's hugely popular Wellington Sevens held the weekend prior.
The Nines will allow rugby league to eat into the pie that rugby union has enjoyed for more than a decade with the Sevens. South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson is right when he suggests that if the NRL was to reject the Nines proposal, "We'd be only handing over an advantage to another code."
Under the tournament structure, every NRL club will be randomly divided into four pools. Matches will be played in nine-minute halves. Teams will play two matches on February 15, with the next day featuring a final pool game, followed by the knock-out finals. Teams that compete in the final will play a total of six matches.
THE NUMBERS
THE sheer logistics of transporting and accommodating16 professional NRL teams, 28 individuals (16 players and 12 staff) for up to four nights in another country is like nothing the game has confronted in its 108-year history.
The six-figure cost of 28 return economy airfares to Auckland, 15 rooms (13 twin share and two single rooms), including all meals at either the hotel or Eden Park, all transport transfers, use of training fields, gym facilities, pool and recovery facilities will be covered by Lonergan and his company.
There will even be a player's lounge, complete with Playstation, table tennis, pool tables and coffee bar.
THE PLAYERS
TO compete in the Nine's, every club must follow a strict set of requirements when it comes to fielding a team and being eligible for the rich purse.
All 16 players selected in the Nine's squad must participate in a match during the tournament. At least 75 per cent of every Nine's squad (12 players) must be made up of players from the club's 'top 25 squad list' (based on the salary cap for 2014).
At least one player from each club's top five list (based on the salary cap for 2014) must also be included in the Nine's squad.
There will also be an expectation on every player to commit to promotional activity during the tournament.
THE RISKS
RARELY does a week pass in rugby league that player behaviour doesn't rear its ugly head. So imagine the concern for the NRL in February when a gathering of around 260 NRL and Holden Cup players converge for up to four nights in the one city, just prior to the beginning of the 2014 season.
Some would call it a recipe for disaster.
In a bid to combat the threat of a scandal overshadowing the tournament, the NRL has negotiated to have all teams stay at different hotels in Auckland.
Every player will also have to sign a code of conduct before competing in the event.
The inclusion of the Nines into the pre-season calendar also raises concerns over player workload and the perception the season is increased.
However, with consultation of the rugby league player welfare association (RLPA), the NRL has agreed that the Nine's will replace one weekend of official trials. The fact that only one top-five player will be asked to participate will also negate the amount of World Cup and Origin players actually being involved.
THE BENEFITS
THE list is long. Aside from every club receiving an all-expenses paid pre-season training camp, the Nines will undoubtedly increase awareness and exposure of rugby league in New Zealand. It will allow the game to grow its fan base and increase participation levels. And it's a win-win for clubs who rely more than ever on driving up their club merchandise and membership numbers.
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