NRL All Stars game to return next year and international Nines being discussed

The NRL has confirmed the return of the All Stars game from 2019 and chief executive Todd Greenberg also said discussions are underway to host an international Nines tournament.

Bosses from NRL clubs were recently consulted on the proposed 2019 calendar which will see the return of the All Stars game as well as the NRL’s first ever ‘Magic’ round at Suncorp Stadium.

Greenberg also revealed that negotiations were ongoing for the NRL to stage it’s opening fixture in the United States.

He said: “Significant work is required to make this game happen but it would be a sensational way to open the 2019 season.

“We think it’s a great initiative, the clubs think it’s a great initiative, it’s a great way to drive our international broadcast rights and a great way to attract new fans. It’s not locked in tough, there’s still a lot of work to do.

“We think there’s a real opportunity for us to grow the sport internationally, there’s a clear opportunity on the west coast of America for us to play that game back here on a Sunday afternoon for our fans on a weekend when there is historically no rugby league.”

In the meeting with NRL clubs on Tuesday, Greenberg admitted that talks were ongoing to stage an international Nines tournament at the end of the 2019 season.

Players would, of course, represent their countries rather than their respective NRL clubs.

He added: “And of course, we will again have the Trans-Tasman Test between Australia and New Zealand at the end of the season, with both men’s and women’s teams to feature.”