National Rugby League Melbourne Storm back-rower Ryan Hoffman "has called for the NRL to reduce the length of the premiership season to accommodate for the demand for exhibition tournaments and matches," according to Michael Chammas of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
The NRL "will this week work out a plan to fit the Auckland Nines, World Club Challenge and All Stars match into an already jam-packed schedule." There "is also a push to turn the World Club Challenge into a six-team tournament, while the NRL is already exploring the possibility of transforming the Nines weekend into a summer circuit to rival cricket's Big Bash League." While the demand for rugby league "is beneficial on a financial front, it is beginning to take its toll on the players." Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita played in 41 of the maximum 46 matches -- not including pre-season trials -- over the past 12 months, "more than any other player in the NRL." Hoffman said, "If you keep having all these games -- Nines, indigenous game, State of Origin, Four Nations and a 26-round season -- it is a lot of footy. If we had 20-22 rounds, I reckon that would be a good amount" (SMH, 2/18).
