SIX out of 10 rugby league fans think Sydney has too many teams.

And nearly four out of 10 believe Wests Tigers should be relocated.

An exclusive Daily Telegraph online fans poll, in which more than 9000 responders voted, showed conclusively that Sydney has too many clubs.

In fact, 63 per cent of fans agree Sydney has to shed clubs.

Sydney boasts nine clubs, which represents more than half the NRL competition.

And fans were fairly adamant which team should be relocated — the joint venture Wests Tigers.

Nearly 40 per cent of respondents believe Wests Tigers are the most vulnerable club when it comes to possible relocation.

The Tigers were clear winners from Cronulla (17 per cent) and the Sydney Roosters (14 per cent).

In June this year, Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe issued a statement strongly denying his club would ever be relocated.

“Let’s get things straight. The Wests Tigers are not going ­anywhere,” Pascoe said.

“Our future is secure. We have a licence agreement with the NRL that states the game is not entitled to direct or compel any club to relocate.

“As well as that the NRL cannot direct or compel any club to merge or enter into a joint venture, and cannot force the change of identity, logo, name or branding.”

Eleven per cent of fans think Canterbury should be relocated from South Sydney (9 per cent), St George Illawarra (6 per cent) and Manly (5 per cent).

Parramatta and Penrith appear safe in the eyes of fans, attracting just 1 per cent of the vote when it came to relocation.

Fans were also vocal when asked how many teams should be located in Brisbane.

Nearly 70 per cent of respondents agree Brisbane could and should accommodate two clubs.

The Broncos may disagree.

And 31 per cent of fans think Brisbane should only have the Broncos. NSW fans find it difficult to digest that Sydney has nine competing clubs while the Broncos have a monopoly in Brisbane.

Sydney clubs continue to cannibalise each other in terms of crowds, sponsorship and membership.

Meanwhile, Queensland and Test star Johnathan Thurston remains the game’s toughest player, according to fans. It is the same gong Thurston claimed last year.

Thurston, weighing just 87kg, was voted the toughest player ahead of some real hard heads.

The injured Cowboys star polled 24 per cent of the vote ahead of Paul Gallen (18 per cent), Cam Smith (16 per cent) and Sam ­Burgess (15 per cent).

Cronulla’s Luke Lewis was the only other player to poll double­ ­figures (10 per cent).

Thurston constantly gets hit and decked at the line but bounces up time and again.