General NRL Expansion

[jonesy101]

We should see what having a second team in Brisbane does before making a call on a second Auckland/NZ based team.

Also, until the Warriors go on a long decent run and really lift the local profile we shouldn't be thinking about it. Too bigger risk at the moment.

 

[playdaball]

Should be Perth

 

[RizNz]

I am biased being a Cantabrian, but a team down here would definitely work. The population argument isn't a factor for me, we support our teams fiercely and we win.

 

[Damo]

Should be Perth

Perth Bears seems to be the likely next team.

 

[matiunz]

I am biased being a Cantabrian, but a team down here would definitely work. The population argument isn't a factor for me, we support our teams fiercely and we win.

The tough question is how to get recruits? Extremely unlikely they’d be competitive with only local players and Auckland as it is is a pretty tough sell, Christchurch (or anywhere else in NZ tbh) would be an even tougher sell. The climate alone has a pretty rough reputation

 

[RizNz]

The tough question is how to get recruits? Extremely unlikely they’d be competitive with only local players and Auckland as it is is a pretty tough sell, Christchurch (or anywhere else in NZ tbh) would be an even tougher sell. The climate alone has a pretty rough reputation

I'm not sure how well you know the region or the climate but it isn't an issue when recruiting for other codes. Sure it gets cold but I wouldn't think Melbourne or Canberra would be much different in winter. The brand new fully enclosed stadium obviously wouldn't be effected by weather for games and if a player is put off by a frosty morning then they're probably not the kind of player you want in your squad tbh. It might be difficult recruiting to start with (just look at the Dolphins struggles) but I also think it might be an option for some of the kiwi players currently based in Australia that don't have much love for the Warriors.

 

[SBW1]

Would be an easier sell to some of the English Superleague players. It would really help if a professional domestic competition was set up, as this would provide some depth. The new stadium would certainly be a major drawcard.

 

[matiunz]

I'm not sure how well you know the region or the climate but it isn't an issue when recruiting for other codes. Sure it gets cold but I wouldn't think Melbourne or Canberra would be much different in winter. The brand new fully enclosed stadium obviously wouldn't be effected by weather for games and if a player is put off by a frosty morning then they're probably not the kind of player you want in your squad tbh. It might be difficult recruiting to start with (just look at the Dolphins struggles) but I also think it might be an option for some of the kiwi players currently based in Australia that don't have much love for the Warriors.

Nz=cold to most Australians, South Island=extra cold, many of these guys start wearing jackets and gloves if it gets below 25.
Sure most of the perceptions of NZ from Aus aren’t exactly true they reman hard to break (people genuinely surprised id only experienced snow once in my life where I was from). CHCH still has a reputation overseas of being a bit of a mess after the earthquake.
Canberra is a bloody tough sell for most current players but the travel factor still puts it ahead of NZ, Melbourne has a lot more going for it than CHCH. Still think NZ 2 would be very difficult to recruit non NZers.

 

[Brother Faisal]

The good thing about a second nz team is that once you hit end of June July union shifts to all blacks and you would have free reign to hosting up to 2 nrl games a week in nz across the country. Npc is dead and the nrl could dominate that particular time of year in nz with 2 teams apart from your obvious home all blacks tests

 

[matiunz]

The good thing about a second nz team is that once you hit end of June July union shifts to all blacks and you would have free reign to hosting up to 2 nrl games a week in nz across the country. Npc is dead and the nrl could dominate that particular time of year in nz with 2 teams apart from your obvious home all blacks tests

Although the live attendance is a bit shit for NPC it still rates pretty good, gets a bit of provincial pride going as well as providing a valuable development pathway.
Wish the Lion red cup of the 90s was able to get off the ground, wonder where it would be now- likely a step below NSW/QLD cup but would have been great to at least have some semblance of a National comp

 

[Deano]

If we are to have a 2nd NZ team, and it play it’s first match by 2025-27
What should they consider?
Name?
Location?
Reply with your 2nd nz team concepts please!!!

 

[Horriors2013]

If we are to have a 2nd NZ team, and it play it’s first match by 2025-27
What should they consider?
Name?
Location?
Reply with your 2nd nz team concepts please!!!

Wellington Orcas. Already exists. Already had a go ages ago. Ready-made stadium. Lots of good footy players down there. Chch could do it but too many Saders and Landers diehards.

 

[Deano]

Personally, Christchurch has a better RL competition over all age groups and has a new stadium on the way, plenty of you rugby players that could be persuaded to play League. I think maybe the Southern Orcas could be a good name or the ‘Scorpions’ which is already a thing.

 

[Worried2Death]

South Island Crusaders, with the full financial investment of the union franchise and Crusaders management. First signing by CEO the Wizard: Craig Bellamy as head of football, coach Ivan Cleary. It's part dream, part concept.

 

[drunk_monk]

NAS came from the Upper Hutt league team.

Welly Orcas for the win.

I know if we got one it will be Chch but a man can dream.

 

[drake83]

NAS came from the Upper Hutt league team.

Welly Orcas for the win.

I know if we got one it will be Chch but a man can dream.

Tapine came from Wellington too I believe that would be 2 good bookends to start with

 

[Wellington Warrior]

I’d love to see Wellington, but think Christchurch with their new covered stadium would be awesome!

 

[mrblonde]

The gap between the bottom 4 and everyone else implies there's not enough good players to around now, adding an 18th team anywhere would just make a bad problem worse.

 

[The Falcon]

I am biased being a Cantabrian, but a team down here would definitely work. The population argument isn't a factor for me, we support our teams fiercely and we win.

I’ve been thinking about this recently also being a Cantab and how this could work.

I think entering a team in the NSW Cup would be a good start. This would be the ideal precursor to any viable expansion side. It’s the type of thing being done by the PNG Hunters in the Q Cup.

It would also raise the profile of the game and take the quality of the game up a few notches as well.

A team here would also be another method to developing pathways from the local game and you would also have the beginnings of the derby v The Warriors.

It would need a foot up from the NRL but if they could give a 5 year commitment it would be a massive opportunity of growing the window of the game in NZ and the best chance of an expansion side in NZ working.

 

[brightman]

I’ve been thinking about this recently also being a Cantab and how this could work.

I think entering a team in the NSW Cup would be a good start. This would be the ideal precursor to any viable expansion side. It’s the type of thing being done by the PNG Hunters in the Q Cup.

It would also raise the profile of the game and take the quality of the game up a few notches as well.

A team here would also be another method to developing pathways from the local game and you would also have the beginnings of the derby v The Warriors.

It would need a foot up from the NRL but if they could give a 5 year commitment it would be a massive opportunity of growing the window of the game in NZ and the best chance of an expansion side in NZ working.

This is the exact course of action the NRL have concluded after looking into further expansion in NZ for over a decade. It is the only viable method in this country that although a Tier 1 nation, doesn't have the financial resources to support the initiative on their own back. Fortunately the NRL realises it is in the benefit but unfortunately not a priority..