It's great if it retains this festival like feeling. I'll be worried if it gets to a stage where there are players who take it more seriously than the real footy though, like some Twenty20 players. Can't see it happening though.
So basically take away from a competition that adds a lot to the popularity to the game in New Zealand and financial benefits for the sake of a game that was good for a few games before the novelty well and truely ran out. Taking away the stars of the game from a tournament for just a exhibition match doesn't make sense to me.
I'd just like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of these bronco's who don't have a clue and our useless coach who has no idea for taking this useless team to the finals of the 9s.