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New Zealand 2 will deal a massive blow to NZ rugby

flippikat

First Grade
Messages
5,593
Im hoping against hope, that PNG dies on the vine, and NZ2 comes to the rescue.

Lets be honest, WA and NZ would be our next expansion teams if Geopolitics wasn't a thing.
Careful what you wish for.

It'd be VERY easy for the NRL to simply give PNG's spot to Ipswich or a cashed-up Brisbane Easts in that scenario.

Any objections from existing SEQ NRL teams can surely be smoothed with sufficient cash - and the Dolphins have shown that effectively promoting a Qld Cup club is an acceptable expansion option to the powers that be.
 

BuffaloRules

Coach
Messages
16,644
Some comments here from Frank Endacott who was involved in Orcas bid ..

Get past first few mins talking about Brandon Smith

Seems really strange …maintains that he has a strong business case for the Christchurch bid, but still has never had a discussion with Abdo or the NRL…??

One of the journos over here needs to take it up on the bids behalf and ask Abdo WTF is going on …

 

Gobsmacked

Bench
Messages
3,783

Jonty

Juniors
Messages
828

titoelcolombiano

First Grade
Messages
7,160
if not now, when??

domestic rugby union in new Zealand is dying a slow death and these financial numbers must be keeping the NZRU up all night!!
The New Zealand Rugby Union, like other Kiwi sports bodies, struggles to compete globally due to the high costs and limited market size. Their best chance is to integrate teams into successful Australian competitions, where the financial stability is supported by a much larger economy. This model has worked for rugby league, soccer, and basketball.

However, the challenge for rugby union is that there isn't a thriving Australian competition for New Zealand teams to join. Instead, New Zealand is left carrying the financial load, and its market simply isn’t big enough to sustain that burden.
 

Matiunz

Juniors
Messages
1,107
Old mate shock Jock Devlin at it again, obviously it’s not good for them to be posting any loss but here’s a pretty good breakdown of the result.

Couple of interesting points is the loss is a fraction of those posted by Aus/England/France also interesting that the union also had its largest ever total income along with an increase in (albeit still poor) crowds

 

BuffaloRules

Coach
Messages
16,644
Old mate shock Jock Devlin at it again, obviously it’s not good for them to be posting any loss but here’s a pretty good breakdown of the result.

Couple of interesting points is the loss is a fraction of those posted by Aus/England/France also interesting that the union also had its largest ever total income along with an increase in (albeit still poor) crowds


According to Gregor Paul , the increase in revenue is misleading because it includes interest on large cash reserves the NZRU are holding on behalf of the Private Equity partners …

he rubbished the hell out of that move to link up with them as well… says they have bought in nothing that has benefitted NZ Rugby and things are just being done the same as they were for decades, when their sales pitch was innovation
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
40,948
According to Gregor Paul , the increase in revenue is misleading because it includes interest on large cash reserves the NZRU are holding on behalf of the Private Equity partners …

he rubbished the hell out of that move to link up with them as well… says they have bought in nothing that has benefitted NZ Rugby and things are just being done the same as they were for decades, when their sales pitch was innovation
Nzru claims they broke even and then had lots of money to spend on union programs (which they don’t count as ongoing spending)
 

LightLizard

Juniors
Messages
44
It might actually be a clue as to why NZ 2 didn't get the green light. New Zealand is in a prolonged recession right now .
31.04.2025: No, New Zealand is not currently in a recession. The New Zealand economy has rebounded from a period of two consecutive quarters of contraction (which is the definition of a recession), with GDP growth of 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2024. This rebound was stronger than expected.
 

Gobsmacked

Bench
Messages
3,783
31.04.2025: No, New Zealand is not currently in a recession. The New Zealand economy has rebounded from a period of two consecutive quarters of contraction (which is the definition of a recession), with GDP growth of 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2024. This rebound was stronger than expected.
Fair enough. ( .7 ) practically booming
 

Canard

Immortal
Messages
36,659
Nzru claims they broke even and then had lots of money to spend on union programs (which they don’t count as ongoing spending)
If anything this Union financial news is probably not helping NZ2.

It's demonstrating that it's a fairly crowded market with somewhat limited financial resources
 

LightLizard

Juniors
Messages
44
I have a quick question - or 2: Are the N.S. Bears NSW Cup team moving to Perth? I ask, because most NRL sides that have "Cup" teams, train together and use the same training techniques so as the players will know the drills if called on to play NRL. And, if not, does that mean players that have been dropped to Cup side have to fly all the way back to NSW.? And if they do move to Perth, won't that mean the the Bears Sydney base will "lose" all those 200k :) fans?
And on another thing... It took the Warriors at least 5yrs to master the travel hassle - so I hope someone is working on that. 5 hours one way from Sydney - up to 6hr ex Brisbane. 10hrs ex Cairns.
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
40,948
Probably run two sets of pathways

Existing one in Sydney and another in Perth

Then Perth has a reserve grade team in qld cup whilst bears regain their side in nsw cup

Travel is a huge issue

Ideally Perth should’ve had a team in the qld cup before coming in to prepare player like png
 

ThornlieBear

Juniors
Messages
381
Probably run two sets of pathways

Existing one in Sydney and another in Perth

Then Perth has a reserve grade team in qld cup whilst bears regain their side in nsw cup

Travel is a huge issue

Ideally Perth should’ve had a team in the qld cup before coming in to prepare player like png
Don’t think Burleigh will take too kindly to another Bears team joining the Q Cup.
 

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