The Bears have admitted that they selected March 21 as the date for the Jack Woolaston 9s without knowing the Waratahs play in Tamworth on the same day.
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Eyebrows have been raised over the decision to stage the day-night 9s on the same Saturday as the Waratahs' Super Rugby night clash against the Bulls at Scully Park.
The date for the Waratahs-Bulls game was announced on November 1, while the date for the 9s was announced on February 5.
Bears president Jodie Cooper said that once it was discovered the big events clashed, the club decided not to move the 9s. He said the Bears had to "fit in" the 9s - played at Jack Woolaston Oval - before the start of the season.
You've just gotta name a date and go with it.
- Jodie Cooper
"Other clubs have got trials; you've just gotta name a date and go with it," he said.
Cooper said "you don't know" when asked if he expected the 9s to take a crowd hit.
However, he added: "Put it this way: the last Waratahs game in Newcastle wasn't real healthy [crowd wise]. You're always gonna miss out on somebody, but you don't know."
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Despite that uncertainty, Cooper is confident the 9s - now in its second year - will be a success. "It was a success last year; there's no reason why this one won't be the same."
The man the event is named after is unconcerned about the events clashing. Jack Woolaston, 95 and involved in organising the 9s, does not believe his baby will be diminished. Besides, he said, it was too late to change the date.
"It's gotta go ahead," he said, adding that it was compulsory for Group 4 clubs to attend. "There's gonna be some exciting football played." Last year's inaugural 9s attracted some 1000 people, he said.
Bears secretary Kevin Storch said the 9s was a "great promotion for Group 4". "It went off very well last season," he said. "We offered it to other clubs to run this year but [we are] quite happy to run it again ourselves."
