AFTER introducing rugby league to Bangalore and entertaining fans in Sydney and Christchurch, rugby league Nines will this weekend aim to bring harmony to communities in Perth and Adelaide.
The Perth Nines will run three days over the weekend at Lark Hill Sportsplex, Port Kennedy, involving men’s and women’s open age sides as well as a Masters component for each gender. After a few Friday night games, the official opening ceremony is Saturday morning at eight.
Across the Nullarbor on Sunday, the Adelaide Nines will be staged at Eyre Sports Park, Womma Road, Penfield and involve eight men’s teams as well as some kids matches and other rugby league formats.
All the Nines action in Australia this weekend us under the Harmony Cup banner – a concept to highlight and celebrate cultural diversity. Many teams are being fielded by local communities such as Pacific Islanders, British-born people and Indigenous.
Last weekend 22 teams contested the Sydney Nines and 10 took to the field for the Crosbie Nines in Christchurch, while press reports in India have told of the role Nines played at the end of last month in taking rugby league to Bangalore.
At SPT Sports Ground on January 30, new teams the Broncos, Eels and Roosters were fielded using local players while visiting Calcutta Jaguars were the opposition.
“Nine players on a full-sized football or rugby field and the quick-fire action was soon underway.,” the Telegraph of India gushed.
“There is nothing complicated about rugby league.
“It has been developed over the years to be good to watch and the rules are easy to follow – thus the ‘people’s game’. The oval-shaped rugby ball is carried up the field, only stopping when a tackle is made.
“Teams are allowed sets of six tackles and a quick rollback gets the game going after a tackle is made. The action only stops for a score or try or when the ball goes out of play. It’s surely comparable to kabaddi but with a ball. Smashing stuff!”
‘Kabaddi with a ball’ continues to grow exponentially around the world.
