Can someone get this from behind the paywall? It should be the article talking about Searle joining one of the NZ Sth Island bid teams, Southern Orca’s (which I thought was Wellington based previously?)
Controversial Gold Coast Titans founder Michael Searle has emerged as one of the shock key figures in a bid to bring an NRL franchise to the South Island of New Zealand.
Searle, who brought Gold Coast back to the big league in 2007 before selling out when the Titans hit financial turmoil, is helping the Southern Orcas with their bid to win an NRL licence.
It is understood Searle has also been at the centre of merger talks between at least two of the three bid teams out of Christchurch.
All three bids were officially rejected by the NRL last week, although they refuse to take no for an answer and will continue to lobby head office to enter the competition at some point in the future.
The NRL has suspended plans to add a second team in New Zealand while they focus on finalising a licence for Papua New Guinea and work on reviving the Bears bid with the West Australian government.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand bid teams will be forced to bide their time and strengthen their claims to become the 20th team.
Gold Coast Titans founder Michael Searle is helping New Zealand in their bid for a second NRL team. Picture: Jerad Williams
Orcas boss Andrew Chalmers confirmed Searle had been enlisted to help his consortium and insisted he would continue to be involved as they persist with plans to secure a licence.
“We have been mates for years,” Chalmers said.
“He has been providing advice. He was actually fixed to one of the other bids when I told him that we were putting in.
“He was very keen to be involved and help in any way he can. He’s been there and done that. He has had his challenges, but he has a wealth of experience.”
Searle was the architect of the Titans entering the competition in 2007 but the club hit the financial skids, in part because they committed to building a $25 million Centre of Excellence.
After the club was at the centre of a series of controversies, Searle eventually parted ways with the Titans before they ended up in the hands of their current owners Darryl Kelly and the Frizelle family.
The Southern Orcas enlisted the help of Michael Searle. Picture: Jerad Williams
Searle was also one of the driving forces behind the formation of the ARL Commission. Ironically, that body will now make a decision on whether the bid to add a second team in New Zealand is given the green light.
Former New Zealand coach Frank Endacott is involved in another of the south island bids that was rejected late last week.
It is believed he has held furtive talks with Searle, Chalmers and the Orcas about a merger.
“We’ve received an email notifying us the bid had been rejected,” Endacott said.
“We haven’t got further information at this stage, but we’re not giving up this easily. We haven’t given up hope.
“It came as a shock because we felt we had put together a strong bid. But we’re determined to have a second team in New Zealand and there’s three bids from this region.
“Obviously I feel we, the south island bid, have the strongest bid.
“But I just want to see an NRL team in Christchurch and if one of the other bids was to be successful, that would be wonderful for the game in New Zealand.
“There is no doubt in my mind this city can sustain an NRL team. If an NRL team came to Christchurch, it would be the best thing to happen to the city for decades.”
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Endacott insisted a second team in New Zealand would threaten rugby union’s grip on the country.
“Rugby union would be seriously under threat in this country if the NRL had two rugby league teams in New Zealand,” he said.
Chalmers was defiant in the face of rejection and remains confident that his bid will prevail despite being knocked back by the NRL only days ago.
“What we are very conscious of is the NRL having clear air to get the 18th team resolved with the games’ stakeholders - the clubs,” Chalmers said.
“That needs to play its way out.
“The level of financial backing we have got is unbelievable. The amount of wealth in New Zealand is phenomenal.
“When I show you the plans we have got and the path we are going down, I’m telling you it is the best thing for the game.”