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The bid for a second New Zealand NRL team has taken another positive step, with Rotorua Lakes Council keen to host matches if the South Pacific Cyclones are admitted to the competition.
The Cyclones would be based in Wellington and propose to play half their home matches in the New Zealand capital, with other games to be spread throughout the country and the Pacific, including Rotorua.
A trial match in Rotorua last year between the Warriors and Penrith attracted a good crowd and Cyclones spokesman Robert Picone said the bid team had been in talks with Rotorua Lakes Council events staff for some time, resulting in an informal agreement to play games at Rotorua International Stadium.
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"" style="margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; font-size: 0px; display: block; border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;">Target: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves could be approached by a second NZ team.Photo: Getty Images
"The Bid Team is very proud to be able to come to an arrangement with Rotorua, which would bring top class rugby league to the Bay of Plenty on a yearly basis and for the long term," Picone said.
"A recent trial match between the Penrith Panthers and the Warriors drew a very healthy crowd and with Rotorua being another home for our club, we would be committed to growing the game in the Bay of Plenty region, ensuring extensive community support".
Rotorua Lakes Council is continually looking to attract major events to the North Island city and believe the Cyclones would generate plenty of interest as Bay of Plenty is a strong rugby league area.
Penrith centre Dean Whare and Sydney Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves hail from the region and the Kiwi Test stars are likely to be recruitment targets for the Cyclones if they are granted an NRL licence from 2018.
Picone sad the Cyclones would be looking to unearth stars of the future from Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty region, which has also been a breeding ground for many All Blacks, including Buck Shelford and Liam Messam.
While expansion appears to have been placed on the backburner by the NRL, that may change after the appointment of a new CEO in coming weeks and Picone said the bid team was continuing to work to ensure the Cyclones were ready when a decision is made.
http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-league/le...lay-nrl-games-in-rotorua-20160227-gn55w5.html
The bid for a second New Zealand NRL team has taken another positive step, with Rotorua Lakes Council keen to host matches if the South Pacific Cyclones are admitted to the competition.
The Cyclones would be based in Wellington and propose to play half their home matches in the New Zealand capital, with other games to be spread throughout the country and the Pacific, including Rotorua.
A trial match in Rotorua last year between the Warriors and Penrith attracted a good crowd and Cyclones spokesman Robert Picone said the bid team had been in talks with Rotorua Lakes Council events staff for some time, resulting in an informal agreement to play games at Rotorua International Stadium.
Advertisement
"" style="margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; font-size: 0px; display: block; border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;">Target: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves could be approached by a second NZ team.Photo: Getty Images
"The Bid Team is very proud to be able to come to an arrangement with Rotorua, which would bring top class rugby league to the Bay of Plenty on a yearly basis and for the long term," Picone said.
"A recent trial match between the Penrith Panthers and the Warriors drew a very healthy crowd and with Rotorua being another home for our club, we would be committed to growing the game in the Bay of Plenty region, ensuring extensive community support".
Rotorua Lakes Council is continually looking to attract major events to the North Island city and believe the Cyclones would generate plenty of interest as Bay of Plenty is a strong rugby league area.
Penrith centre Dean Whare and Sydney Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves hail from the region and the Kiwi Test stars are likely to be recruitment targets for the Cyclones if they are granted an NRL licence from 2018.
Picone sad the Cyclones would be looking to unearth stars of the future from Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty region, which has also been a breeding ground for many All Blacks, including Buck Shelford and Liam Messam.
While expansion appears to have been placed on the backburner by the NRL, that may change after the appointment of a new CEO in coming weeks and Picone said the bid team was continuing to work to ensure the Cyclones were ready when a decision is made.
http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-league/le...lay-nrl-games-in-rotorua-20160227-gn55w5.html
