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Consortium forms to push a second New Zealand NRL team based in Wellington

Messages
17,770
http://m.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/consortium-forms-to-push-a-second-new-zealand-nrl-team-based-in-wellington/story-fn2mcuj6-1227132181065

A BID for a second New Zealand NRL team based in Wellington has been launched with the aim of entering the competition in the 2018 season.

On the back of New Zealand’s Four Nations triumph and earlier Tri-Nations and World Cup successes, a consortium of Australian and Kiwi investors believes the time is right for a second team to join the NRL.

They point to the 17 per cent (72) of NRL players who come from New Zealand, the success of the Auckland Nines tournament and the Warriors winning three of the past five under-20s NYC grand finals.

It is understood the consortium comprises four people, some of whom have a background in rugby league.

“The interest in rugby league is at an all-time high in New Zealand due to the great work of the NZRL, the Warriors, the success of the Auckland Nines and the triumphs of the national team,” consortium spokesman Robert Picone told Fairfax Media.

“It is well documented the magnificent contribution New Zealand has made to the NRL including providing nearly 20 per cent of all NRL players. This will only improve with a second New Zealand team and all NRL clubs will benefit by an increase in playing talent.”

The NRL is due to begin considering expansion next year.

Picone said it was imperative a second team from New Zealand be included in the NRL to build the game there and combat the AFL’s attempts to gain inroads through St Kilda’s commitment to play an annual Anzac Day match in Wellington until 2018.
Former New Zealand captain Benji Marshall supported a second Kiwi team in the NRL, saying Wellington was an ideal location.

“I am all for it,” the St George Illawarra playmaker said.

“There should be another team in New Zealand because the following has gotten so massive and, if you look at the number of juniors and the amount of talent they have got coming through, it would be great and it is something they have to look at to help the game grow bigger over there.

“It would create a rivalry too because everyone who lives in Auckland loves Auckland and the people who don’t hate them so if they put in a Wellington team, the rest of New Zealand will go for them 100 per cent.”
 
Messages
17,770
I wonder who the Consortium is?
I would say Perth is first in line since TV time slot would suit the powers at be.
Brisbane wants a second team, but suspect money will do the most talking.
 

Scott

Bench
Messages
3,796
As someone who lives in Wellington, this is a ridiculous idea. The Hurricanes, Lions & Phoenix struggle massively to get crowds.
 

shiznit

Coach
Messages
14,801
As someone who lives in Wellington, this is a ridiculous idea. The Hurricanes, Lions & Phoenix struggle massively to get crowds.
yeah that's my biggest problem with it... The fans support...

In wonder if a Wellington NRL team could kill off the other sports... Especially the nix...

Id imagine they would get good support from the Hutt Valley, Wainuiomata & Porirua...
 

WithTheDawn

Juniors
Messages
897
Would love this for purely selfish reasons. Would give me a second team to cheer for each week (being from Wellington originally anyway), double chance at finals and premierships...awesome.

It would struggle at first, sure, but the capacity is there from a ratings perspective (earlier games Sat and Sun?)
 

spear tackle

Juniors
Messages
1,176
If it did happen a warriors vs wellington grudge match should pull a crowd but I'd say a second NRL club in NZ is a wee way off yet.(pity)
 

Shaun Hewitt

First Grade
Messages
6,503
I'm all for it but I do have a couple of concerns

As mentioned, would Wellington really get behind the team? If not, financially, it may not be a viable option.
Only other concern, purely selfish reason being a Warriors supporter is that how would it affect our Junior Warriors? We've got used to a continued success at that level, but with another team in NZ, I fear our dominance would be hindered.

IF, and thats a big IF, Wellington actually get behind the team, then yeah go for gold.
 

MKEB...

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
5,988
Would Love to see this happen...I just don't think that it will. The Wellington sporting crowd tends to be rather fickle.
 

LeftRightOut

Juniors
Messages
41
A team based in Wellington would be fantastic for NZ and Wellington-region RL, however there's no way in hell the team could play out of Westpac Stadium and be financial successful or create and maintain a suitable atmosphere - the place is just too damn big for anything other than international matches in any code.
I'm a Hurricanes supporter and it cuts me to see the place empty in good times, and with a smaller RL following in the region I can't see it being any better in good let alone bad times.
Wellington would do well to build a 15-20k capacity ground to house the Hurricanes, Phoenix, and a potential NRL club; mind you, that's old news!
As for CHCH gaining a team? Never would it work, not in a million years. Can't be assed getting in to a debate over it, simply offering my opinion.
 

Diesel

Referee
Messages
23,782
I haven't lived in Wellington for a very long time, so I'm out of touch with the thinking but does Wellington/Christchurch have a rivalry like Auckland and [insert city or town here]?

I love Welly but I don't think Wellington can support a team on it's own long term but I think including Christchurch it can.

Playing 5 games each in Wellington and Christchurch as well as one each in Dunedin and Hamilton would ensure 15-16k crowd average and huge sponsorship opportunities without too much of a negative impact on the Warriors. This would be a real NZ team rather than a one city team but I don't think it'll be an NZ grown team, for NZ to get another club it's going to be a relocation of an existing team, which if this is the case I really hope NZ can get behind this club.
 

shiznit

Coach
Messages
14,801
I'd perhaps look at giving up my Parra membership to look at following the new club.

I've been following parra since 88... I was 6yrs old...

It would be good to follow a NZ team with my own kids now...
 

Meth

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
35,737
As someone who lives in Wellington, this is a ridiculous idea. The Hurricanes, Lions & Phoenix struggle massively to get crowds.

Because they are all shit.

When they go well, the crowds are decent. When they don't, they aren't. Same as a lot of other places.
 

Meth

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
35,737
If there is a team in Wellington, I really hope that we don't call them 'the Orcas'
 

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