New Zealand 2 will deal a massive blow to NZ rugby

[BuffaloRules]

I think we all want NZ2 as Team 20…

It’s a pipe dream though until there is someone (Govt?) making some real money available … $5m ain’t cutting it based on what WA Govt had to pay …

As we have seen already, They won’t even get a return call from Abdo or PVL , let alone a meeting , until that happens

 

[Wb1234]

 

[Matua]

the link you provided bro, does not include any requirement that an event be a “one-off event” in order to qualify for funding.

Do you genuinely think NRL matches meet this definition?:

Major event definition​

From Government’s perspective, a major event is or has the potential to be internationally significant by which it generates interest, profile or visitation from outside New Zealand.

Events with the potential to be internationally significant should; offer an element or elements that are uniquely New Zealand; have evidence of international interest and profile New Zealand on an international platform.

Major events create social connection, reflect and celebrate New Zealand culture and build national pride.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Do you genuinely think NRL matches meet this definition?:

Magic round

 

[Matua]

Magic round

That's not what we're discussing in this conversation, we're discussing the regular NRL.

 

[Gobsmacked]

 

[Gobsmacked]

 

[Matua]

Jake the Muss doing the narration

I can remember watching this back in the day.

Interesting that a couple of the players they thought were going to be the big things played few Warriors matches.

 

[Wb1234]

TikTok - Make Your Day

Inside is meh

 

[Diesel]

NZ Government pays $5m for one game of origin

AFL signed to play their game in Wellington for 5 years and left after the 3rd game. No mention of government money

 

[Red&BlackBear]

QLD government has magic round until 2027 and pay around 2 million for the" event "
My guess is NZ could easily outbid that given they've paid 5 million for 1 game.

You’re missing the point of why Brisbane gets Magic Round now-a-days and why it’ll continue being hosted in Brisbane even after 2027.

NRL makes a motza by owning Arthur Beetson hotel (formally Gambaro’s) in Caxton St - 200m up from Suncorp.

Now with Uncle Nick Politis buying the Caxton Hotel - and with other rugby league investments on the strip - the games power brokers will ensure Magic Round continues being based there.

Magic Round in Brisbane fattens a lot of high up rugby league business people’s pockets.

NZ or any other location for that matter would need to offer significantly more for the NRL to even consider moving it. Not saying it’s not possible, it’s just unlikely.

 

[Gobsmacked]

You’re missing the point of why Brisbane gets Magic Round now-a-days and why it’ll continue being hosted in Brisbane even after 2027.

NRL makes a motza by owning Arthur Beetson hotel (formally Gambaro’s) in Caxton St - 200m up from Suncorp.

Now with Uncle Nick Politis buying the Caxton Hotel - and with other rugby league investments on the strip - the games power brokers will ensure Magic Round continues being based there.

Magic Round in Brisbane fattens a lot of high up rugby league business people’s pockets.

NZ or any other location for that matter would need to offer significantly more for the NRL to even consider moving it. Not saying it’s not possible, it’s just unlikely.

Do you think the idea of magic round was just a coincidence that it coincided with a second Brisbane team coming into the NRL?

Perth getting games and Origins.. just a coincidence right?

Just gave NZ a Origin match for 5 million.. a magic round.. what are we talking? 10 ?

Last I checked QLD government only pays 2..



If the plan is to have NZ 2, they would be seeding the ground about now. . Magic round is the perfect for that!

We're talking about about an entire codes existence in a country that's appetite for RL is growing by the day. Currently a 30 million dollars pa TV deal, could be much more.



This is a lot bigger than a few extra pints over a weekend pal.

I think it's highly likely.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Do you think the idea of magic round was just a coincidence that it coincided with a second Brisbane team coming into the NRL?

Perth getting games and Origins.. just a coincidence right?

Just gave NZ a Origin match for 5 million.. a magic round.. what are we talking? 10 ?

Last I checked QLD government only pays 2..



If the plan is to have NZ 2, they would be seeding the ground about now. . Magic round is the perfect for that!

We're talking about about an entire codes existence in a country that's appetite for RL is growing by the day. Currently a 30 million dollars pa TV deal, could be much more.



This is a lot bigger than a few extra pints over a weekend pal.

I think it's highly likely.

This is one of those cases of how much you don’t actually know. Evident in your response comparisons (and you going off in hyperbole tangents) which have nothing to do with Magic Round itself - because the context of the events are different.
(I.E. a one off evening event versus a 4 day event…)

My response is specific to Magic Round and Magic Round only.

What Magic Round started off as in 2019 compared to what it is now in 2026 from a commercial point of view are two separate things.

Caxton St (which serves as ground zero for the Magic Round festivities) has had significant investment from some of the most influential rugby league figures since 2022. Pubs, hotels, restaurants etc etc.

Why would NRL not want to maximise revenue stemming from their (close in proximity) Brisbane hotel investments? Why would Politis not influence NRL to keep holding MR in Brisbane to maximise revenue from his recently acquired Caxton St Hotel… You don’t think those chats haven’t already began…

Getting paid from a local government to host it in a city is one thing. Being able to maximise profits from investments that are located in the same host city is another.

…..

 

[marlins2.0]

Take the Grand Final to Palmerston North I say.

 

[Gobsmacked]

This is one of those cases of how much you don’t actually know. Evident in your response comparisons (and you going off in hyperbole tangents) which have nothing to do with Magic Round itself - because the context of the events are different.
(I.E. a one off evening event versus a 4 day event…)

My response is specific to Magic Round and Magic Round only.

What Magic Round started off as in 2019 compared to what it is now in 2026 from a commercial point of view are two separate things.

Caxton St (which serves as ground zero for the Magic Round festivities) has had significant investment from some of the most influential rugby league figures since 2022. Pubs, hotels, restaurants etc etc.

Why would NRL not want to maximise revenue stemming from their (close in proximity) Brisbane hotel investments? Why would Politis not influence NRL to keep holding MR in Brisbane to maximise revenue from his recently acquired Caxton St Hotel… You don’t think those chats haven’t already began…

Getting paid from a local government to host it in a city is one thing. Being able to maximise profits from investments that are located in the same host city is another.

…..

Why?
My entire post gives you the why.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Why?
My entire post gives you the why.

no it doesn't ya post has nothing to do with why brisbane is the choice selection for magic round lol.

yet another topic ya feel the need to input ya opinions without the facts lol

ya missed the mark again lol.

nrl owns property near suncorp. high ups in rugby league own pubs near suncorp. everything is condensed to one area. i think the hub made $50m last year. a sum goes back into nrls pockets. the qld gov's $2m is almost a non-issue because nrl won't really need it to still make profit by hosting magic in brissy.

no other location can give nrl and rugba leeg's high ups the same returns that brissy does.
to even make the same sort of cash another location would need to offer $10m+ i reckon because nrl wont be getting that hotel/accommodation and spending at said hotels/accom (which hotels would also have corporate partners who would pay nrl because they would wanna be part of the weekend).
because no other location has 2 nrl owned properties in proximity.

 

[Gobsmacked]

no it doesn't ya post has nothing to do with why brisbane is the choice selection for magic round lol.

yet another topic ya feel the need to input ya opinions without the facts lol

ya missed the mark again lol.

nrl owns property near suncorp. high ups in rugby league own pubs near suncorp. everything is condensed to one area. i think the hub made $50m last year. a sum goes back into nrls pockets. the qld gov's $2m is almost a non-issue because nrl won't really need it to still make profit by hosting magic in brissy.

no other location can give nrl and rugba leeg's high ups the same returns that brissy does.
to even make the same sort of cash another location would need to offer $10m+ i reckon because nrl wont be getting that hotel/accommodation and spending at said hotels/accom (which hotels would also have corporate partners who would pay nrl because they would wanna be part of the weekend).
because no other location has 2 nrl owned properties in proximity.

We shall see.

 

[marlins2.0]

Those who think Magic Round should go to Eden Park really need to dont understand Auckland. It is in a residential zone. I think there's one bar and a couple of restaurants within walking distance of the stadium. The 'magic round' experience won't and can't be had there. One offs like tests and Origins are fine, but even then they'll be better in Christchurch once Te Kaha opens imo. Stadium is central and walking distance to entertainment.

Auckland sucks. And that's coming from an Aucklander. Mt Smart is in an industrial area with f**k all going on around it. Theyve had to work hard on their game day experience because there is nothing else there. The Warriors own a bar...but it's in a whole nother suburb!

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Why?
My entire post gives you the why.

This isn’t a conversation where it’s your opinion verse my opinion. I’m not even giving you my opinion, I’m telling you how it is because I understand how these people look at Magic Round commercially and why holding it in Brisbane is important to them - beyond just a football bonanza.

As I said above this is one of those cases that you don’t know much about - because you don’t deal with these parties and wouldn’t know how they operate and why they operate how they do.

Given I’ve sidetracked away from NZ 2 topic which this thread is about. A prospective scenario for them would be a double header on top of Origin - but they won’t get the entire round. Not unless they are prepared to really fork out for it and even then it would be a one-off and the event would revert back to Brisbane.

There’s significant commercial investment from the game and powerbrokers of the game in that little strip. It’s effortless profits - beyond the footy games.

 

[Gobsmacked]

This isn’t a conversation where it’s your opinion verse my opinion. I’m not even giving you my opinion, I’m telling you how it is because I understand how these people look at Magic Round commercially and why holding it in Brisbane is important to them - beyond just a football bonanza.

As I said above this is one of those cases that you don’t know much about - because you don’t deal with these parties and wouldn’t know how they operate and why they operate how they do.

Given I’ve sidetracked away from NZ 2 topic which this thread is about. A prospective scenario for them would be a double header on top of Origin - but they won’t get the entire round. Not unless they are prepared to really fork out for it and even then it would be a one-off and the event would revert back to Brisbane.

There’s significant commercial investment from the game and powerbrokers of the game in that little strip. It’s effortless profits - beyond the footy games.

So when Suncorp is redeveloped to 65k ahead of the Olympics, those investments will reap tremendous benefits.
Are they planning on having magic round during construction?