The National Rugby League is set to steal the grand opening of the state-of-the-art Perth Stadium from cricket and AFL with the WA Government in talks with the NRL about hosting the Nines at the venue in February, 2018.

Cricket Australia had hoped the venue would be ready for the Ashes between Australia and England but are now banking on a One-Day International at the end of January as their chance to open the new stadium.

If that doesn’t happen – the Nines could be the perfect fit with local government prepared to outlay around $3 million to bring the event to Western Australia.

State of Origin will come to Perth’s new stadium in 2019.