Fijian team to play NRL?

[Burns]

I made a similar thread in the Expansion forum, but thought this would interest us Internationalists.

A second New Zealand team in the NRL would be known as the South Pacific Cyclones and play up to half their home matches in Fiji.
The consortium backing a Wellington-based team to join the NRL in 2018 has revealed further details of its bid, including the official name of the club and its plans to expand across the Pacific with the inclusion of Fiji.
Consortium spokesman Robert Picone said a large organisation in Fiji was keen to support the Wellington bid, which was now a South Pacific bid.
Picone said the new team would be known as the South Pacific Cyclones and home games would be equally split between Fiji and Wellington.
The latest development is in keeping with the consortium's commitment to help develop the game in New Zealand and the Pacific, as outlined when the bid for a Wellington-based team was launched last November.
With a population of 900,000, Fiji is the biggest of the Pacific nations and has a recently upgraded 19,000-capacity stadium in Suva, which would be suitable for hosting NRL matches.
Support for the NRL is booming in Fiji with emergence of stars such as Parramatta wing sensation Semi Radradra and the success of the Bati in qualifying for the semi-finals at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in Britain.
"This is a great development for our bid as it satisfies the NRL's plans of expanding into the Pacific Islands as well as New Zealand," Picone said. "It grows our catchment area of support and does not put too much competitive pressure on the Warriors.
"Added to this is the enormous talent pool of players in the Pacific Islands and New Zealand, being largely untapped and therefore not diluting existing talent in the current clubs, particularly in the mid-to-long term".

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/island-home-wellington-nrl-bid-reveals-name-and-plan-to-play-games-in-fiji-20151022-gkggy3.html

Thoughts? Is Fiji can have a team in the NSW Cup and NRL by 2018, would do absolute wonders for them coming off a assumed strong showing from he 2017 World Cup.

 

[siv]

How will this sell foxtel ?

 

[Foreign Legion]

Cyclones... stupid name much rather prefer south pacific seamen..
How about the South Pacific Dolphins, orcas or even Islanders

 

[stormbati]

Wow great news. Hope it works out.

 

[hutch]

I just can't see New Zealanders getting behind this team unfortunately.

 

[roughyedspud]

There needs to be a proper pro 2 tier down under..

So the likes of perth,wellington,hunters,fiji,2nd brisbane team,north sydney/central coast etc backed up by some of the stronger reserve grade teams...and have a 10-12 team comp 2nd tier that'll sit between the NRL & NSW/QLD cups

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Agree. It is a bit of a bastard idea. A bit GWSish.

 

[siv]

There needs to be a proper pro 2 tier down under..

So the likes of perth,wellington,hunters,fiji,2nd brisbane team,north sydney/central coast etc backed up by some of the stronger reserve grade teams...and have a 10-12 team comp 2nd tier that'll sit between the NRL & NSW/QLD cups

Maybe not between but beside NSW and QLD Cups eg NZ or AP Cup

 

[Last Week]

Terrible idea. The team essentially has no identity.

And I hate to say it, but I fail to see what a Fiji side could offer the NRL in terms of value other than players. Essentially, dollars is what I'm saying.

A Fiji side joining one of the state cups is best for now. It would be great if the pacific could have a well rounded club competition on its own but not for now. Most importantly, more tests involving pacific nations on home soil.

 

[Sinman]

When it comes to a second NZ team I think this would be great.. For a couple of reasons. 1. It creates more opportunities for NZ players. 2. Develops Fiji as a nation 3. It would be great to see... I think simply when it comes to a second NZ team if it raises the value of the TV rights by enough to cover having the team then the benefit to the sport is huge and it has to happen.. We need to think outside the square to grow the sport.. this would grow the sport!!

 

[hutch]

I want expansion, I want 2 or 3 teams in NZ, I want rugby league to be strong and played competitively in Fiji, PNG and all the pacific nations but I don't want an NRL team shared between Fiji and NZ. Who is going to passionately support this team? I don't think it can work.

 

[kiwileaguefan]

Really?? this is almost as stupid as the idea of a Wellington team in the super league!!!

To be honest Wellington would not be able to support an NRL team....the only viable option i can see is Canterbury for a second NRL team in NZ.

Better to focus on the PNG hunters...

 

[Last Week]

Really?? this is almost as stupid as the idea of a Wellington team in the super league!!!

To be honest Wellington would not be able to support an NRL team....the only viable option i can see is Canterbury for a second NRL team in NZ.

Better to focus on the PNG hunters...

I'm sure it's been covered before, but why is that? Why is it that only Auckland seems capable of having an NRL side? I thought the south island had a good history with Rugby League.

Finance? Is Wellington or Christchurch just too crowded or not strong enough?
Interest? Is the interest there less than Perths?

 

[Sinman]

It's not just about how much support they would get when it comes to a second NZ team (although it is important that they are well supported) but also about creating a pathway for more talent to play Rugby League.. It creates a derby, it strengthens the national team and it should be able to bring in more money in the NZ TV deal. What it also means is that surely one of the two teams would be going ok at any 1 time and so NZ would not just lose interest because the warriors are losing!! I like the Fiji Idea but what I really think is a must is a second NZ team!! This I think is the place we need to also support like AFL supports it's outposts!!

 

[ozenzud]

Personally, I think this is an absolutely fantastic idea, for a number of reasons. The first is I live in Wellington and will be one of the first members of the club.

The pacific islands do not in themselves, have a financial base which could support an NRL team. The Islands are however, ripe for a takeover by League. The IRB gives them lip service, but with a NRL team based there full time, it would make Fiji a predominantly league country.

By only having a few home games a year in Wellington (say 6-7) the novelty factor would stay high and you would be able to maintain healthy crowds of 14,000 or so.

By being able to draw on both Wellington, the NZ south island and Fiji for a junior player base, then it would help all fronts on game development.

Financially for Wellington it could work, with proposed extensions to the airport and then the strong possibility of direct flights between Wellington and Fiji, things start to add up.

 

[adamkungl]

Shit idea.

A Wellington or Christchurch team is a great idea.

A Wellington/Christchurch Southern team is a great idea.

A team divided across half the Pacific is a terrible idea. Like someone said above, no identity. You can't half arse your primary market. Some people might, but most won't commit to a team that won't commit to the region.

 

[ozenzud]

Wellington or Christchurch are unlikely to be able to support a team themselves, and Fiji certainly couldn't. Splitting between the two would make it viable and would develop the game in the pacific.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

If this is the only second nz team bid, nz won't be getting a second team.

They need an Auckland team and a non-auckland team.

 

[adamkungl]

If Wellington and Christchurch can't support a team then they shouldn't get one full stop.

I would think they are capable of doing so, maybe with some short term pain.

 

[Evil Homer]

If Wellington and Christchurch can't support a team then they shouldn't get one full stop.

I would think they are capable of doing so, maybe with some short term pain.

I don't see why not, they both have bigger populations than places like Newcastle and Townsville which support NRL teams.