Nines sparking overseas interest...

...A consortium of cashed-up businessmen is reportedly sounding out the prospect of a rugby league Nines tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

 

Millionaire Marwan Koukash, owner of English Super League club Salford, is said to be spearheading the group eager to expand the nine-a-side game following the success of last weekend's event in Auckland.

 

According to Rugby League Week magazine, Koukash has been inspired by the popularity of cricket's Twenty20 competitions around the world.

 

"I know they might have tried a Nines competition before but bring it back with razzamatazz and make it attractive for another broadcaster to come in and bring in some more money," he is quoted as saying.

 

"Look at Twenty20. The traditionalists would've gone mad at the thought of it, but look how popular it is now."

North Queensland won the NRL's inaugural two-day event in front of a sold-out crowd at Eden Park last weekend.

It would be better to have 11's or 12's for rugby union. 
With modern day forwards so fit and fast, their is less space on the pitch. This has resulted in the backs bulking up into creatine crashballs due to limited space on the pitch.

If their was like 11 players in a team, 
6 forwards= a tight 5 and an 6th man
6 backs= 2 half backs, and one centre, 2 wings and a fullback. 
This would create more space on the field, so less bulky backs would be required for dominating contact