Melbourne move

NRL Nines moving to Melbourne?

The game's organising body is reportedly keen to piggyback on the success of tennis' Australian Open by hosting the Nines one week afterwards at AAMI Park.

The move could help rugby league spread its message in AFL-dominated Melbourne and convince some to remain in town after the Open.

Venues on the Gold Coast, Townsville, Newcastle, Brisbane and even Perth may also be in the running for the two-day tournament.

But Auckland Nines organisers Duco Events, who helped get the series off the ground in 2014, were unconcerned by the media speculation across the ditch.