The NRL are open to the possibility of bringing back the annual Nines competition as early as next year, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Having been well received from 2014 to 2017, the Nines were hosted each year in Auckland as a pre-season tournament, with each of the 16 NRL sides sending a team.
However, the competition was scratched in 2018 , due to player welfare and workload concerns after the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
In a report from the Sydney Morning Herald though, it is claimed that the NRL have begun discussions with different state governments looking to stage the event once again.
"The broadcasters, the fans and players are all keen to see the Nines return," an NRL spokesman said.
"So we are working with all stakeholders to try to make it happen. It is early days but we are hopeful the Nines will return."
Elsewhere, the Nines format will see a World Cup at the end of this year, with 12 international men's teams and four women's teams competing at the conclusion of the 2019 NRL season.
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