Future Immortal Johnathan Thurston wants to take the Nines to Asia after what he says was a disappointing turnout at Auckland’s Eden Park.

Crowds were down for the two day festival of rugby league and Thurston wants the NRL to look at other markets.

“It’s a great way to kick off the year, playing in the Nines,” Thurston said.

“(But) I’m pretty disappointed at the turn-out of the crowd. If that’s the type of crowd that’s going to show up I reckon we should be taking it elsewhere.

“Maybe even Asia, get over there for a week and try and grow the game. You can see it’s a great spectacle and if it’s going get a turnout like this then let’s take it elsewhere.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson, whose team won the title, agreed with Thurston but also wanted the Nines to return to Auckland at some point.

“I think it should move, but I think it should come back,” he said.

“There’s excitement about it, but it doesn’t mean we should sit in one place for a long period of time. We’ve seen that. We need to fill the stadiums a little bit more,” he said.

“But they need to know we’re coming back as well to our core areas, outside of Sydney, I’d say. I think of Brisbane and Melbourne straightaway, but you could have an overseas one as well.”