Majority of NRL clubs vote in favour of proposed pre-season Nines tournament in New Zealand Wayne Bennett (centre) is reported to be in favour of the proposed Nines tournament so long as there is no conflict with the marquee All-Stars fixture. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Daily Telegraph A MAJORITY of clubs have voted in favour of holding a pre-season Nines tournament in New Zealand, which will see 400 NRL players paraded down the main street of Auckland before the event kicks off. The Daily Telegraph can reveal 11 of the 16 clubs gave provisional support to the concept during a marathon telephone conference on Tuesday. Newcastle were among those in favour, as powerful Knights coach Wayne Bennett is now comfortable there will be no conflict with the marquee All-Stars fixture as long as it's staged in mid-February. With a five-year $15 million funding package approved from Auckland City Council, Kiwi promoters Dean Lonergan and David Higgins originally wanted a response on Saturday. But there won't be a final call until March 20, when the ARLC receives a recommendation from NRL officials Paul Kind and Nathan McGuirk. Two possible dates - 25-26 January and 15-16 February 2014 - have been suggested for the inaugural event. However, the latter appears more popular because most of the clubs in favour are content to forego a regulation trial match in favour of not conceding the huge investment to a rival sport. The February time slot will also give international stars a chance to feature, given they will have an additional three weeks of pre-season training after this year's World Cup in the United Kingdom. Although there was a clear majority in favour on Tuesday, there's still conjecture over whether the current 11-5 split is sufficiently decisive. The Roosters, Bulldogs, Panthers, Storm and Sea Eagles are believed to be the five opponents of the concept. Longeran and Higgins personally briefed the clubs at last week's CEO conference with a compelling mix of fully funded travel and accommodation, a $500,000 winner's cheque and the chance to make ties with junior clubs in Auckland. There are also plans to hold a parade of players from all 16 clubs through Auckland CBD, while coaches and staff will compete in a beach touch football tournament on competition eve. The draw will most likely see the 16 clubs split into four pools, from which the top two teams would advance to finals matches on the Sunday. According to one CEO, the promoters were mindful of the short turnaround between the toll on elite players who participate in the World Cup. "Of course they want the very best players on the field, but in the first year at least, they are going to be flexible," the CEO said. They understand that all the stars might not be available, but the big thing is just to have them all in Auckland promoting rugby league in a rugby union-mad country. McGuirk said the final decision would be left to the eight commissioners. "It's an exciting opportunity, not only for our game but for all the clubs," McGuirk said. But it also has to fit in with the game's strategic plan.