New Zealand 2 will deal a massive blow to NZ rugby

[Wb1234]

Both Christchurch and Wellington could support teams. Yes they'd be smaller clubs than average, but it could be done with the right backing, good local partners, and a strong long term business plan. There're potentially other markets in NZ that could support clubs as well, but I wouldn't suggest attempting them before the other two.

But let's accept your premise for sake of argument; if it is true that only Auckland can support an NRL side then that's just the way it is, and more sides in NZ wouldn't be feasible.

What works for you is irrelevant, and the reality is that no amount of marketing spin is going to get Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hamilton to truly 'share' the one club. Inevitably what would end happening is one of those markets would turn out to be the most lucrative, and would become the club's target audience out of necessity, and the rest would either be abandoned or left with token representation, which would inevitably offend the sensibilities of the potential audience for the sport in those markets.

Thanks chuckles I can see you are just going to keep rehashing the same point which fair enough it’s your own view point

 

[Te Kaha]

The average population currently supporting an NRL club is around
250k... Cronulla, Manly, Penrith ect..
An area like Wellington, Christchurch at around 400k works , actually the perfect size for an NRL club on their own.
A " Southern " tag just makes it easy for people outside the chosen city to support them for TV viewing.
The Southern Orcas works perfectly.
If anyone can recall they were in close competition with the Gold Coast for the 16th franchise.
What's happened since then... The Gold Coast are no longer thier competition and the TV money has gone up 70% in NZ .

New Zealand 2 is an obvious choice.

O we have a few people on a relatively unknown forum advocating against it.
So it's probably not going to happen because PV an Andrew Abdo have been swayed by Perth Red and Te ka ...

You use the "TV money has gone up 70% in NZ ." Knowing full well that it will go back down when the current deal ends. Despite what you claim there is zero chance Sky will pay more than they need to, to be the highest bid.

And the bullshit you are bringing up about "populations" of Sydney districts?? Really??? Those clubs who are in DRIVING distance of most of the rest of the competition, and will have access to opposition fans. You really are grasping at straws.

You pick two cities that don't have suitable stadiums, in populations that don't have a lot of League support, no longer have a lot of juniors, have no serious pathways and are at least one flight away for apposing teams fans to attend ... oh and no bids.

Despite all the facts shown, you think the next club will be in NZ because it "will deal a massive blow to NZ rugby". Given Spark Sports demise, the next team will almost certainly be Perth. I hope you don't go suicidal when its announced.

 

[siv]

To get an idea of how Sydney-centric the draw is, here's a breakdown of how many Sydney teams will feature on Ch9 each week.

Round	Sydney Teams on Ch9
Round 1	3/6
Round 2	3/6
Round 3	6/6
Round 4	2/6
Round 5	4/6
Round 6	4/8
Round 7	4/6
Round 8	7/8
Round 9	4/6
Round 10	3/6
Round 11	4/6
Round 12	4/6
Round 13	3/6
Round 14	1/4
Round 15	3/6
Round 16	3/4
Round 17	2/4
Round 18	5/6
Round 19	3/6
Round 20	2/4
Round 21	5/6
Round 22	2/6
Round 23	4/6
Round 24	5/8
Round 25	5/8
Round 26	3/8
Round 27	4/8

Out of 82 games on Ch9 in 2023, 94 of the 164 teams (57%) involved in them will be from Sydney.

Warriors will feature in just 2 (1.2%).

Maybe those other teams dont rate on TV

Bar in Brisbane where Fri night is reserved for the Broncos

 

[Colk]

When the draw was done based on 2021 table they ran

15th, 10th and 9th.

2023 FTA games

Brisbane Broncos - 13
Sydney Roosters - 13
Melbourne Storm - 13
Parramatta Eels - 12
Penrith Panthers - 12
South Sydney Rabbitohs - 12
Manly Sea Eagles - 12
Cronulla Sharks - 11
North Queensland Cowboys - 11
St George Illawarra Dragons - 10
The Dolphins - 10
Wests Tigers - 9
Canberra Raiders - 8
Canterbury Bulldogs - 7
Newcastle Knights - 6
Gold Coast Titans - 4
New Zealand Warriors - 2

Dolphins have the novelty factor
Manly were bad due to no Tom Turbo so are an outlier

Remember ch9 choose what is expected to be the 2 best games of the round. The numbers get skewed by Dragons being on ANZAC Day and Dogs on Good Friday. A few others too, Like the Broncs v Cows is always on FTA. Generally though it is top 8 teams for the Thurs and late Friday night

Warriors are hurt by timezone, Perth also would only realistically have away games on ch9

All I’m suggesting, like anything else, is that there is grey, it’s not just black and white.

Even if say the Raiders, Titans, Sharks or the Warriors achieved a modicum of success (particularly the Warriors and in the case of both the Raiders and the Sharks you can see that) they just wouldn’t get the same amount of games then say the Storm or Souths for example. That is even disregarding the Broncos as well.

There is some weight given to, the perceived or otherwise, size of the market. That’s not a criticism by the way, that’s just normal

 

[Colk]

No other city other than Auckland can support an nrl side full time

either share it around or have no team

I know which you’ll pick lol

in the real world where things aren’t always ideal a team based out of Christchurch and playing one or two games out of those other centres works fine for me

by playing in more cities they get more potential for fans

If that’s the case then there shouldn’t be an extra side.

You couldn’t split games (really) between Wellington and Christchurch for example because of the distance (it’s roughly 400-500 kilometres apart). Hamilton is even worse it’s probably what 700 or 800 kilometres which is nearly the distance from Sydney to Melbourne

Essentially you’d have to pick either Welllington or Christchurch or even Hamilton. You couldn’t have a team trying to represent all these areas

 

[Iamback]

All I’m suggesting, like anything else, is that there is grey, it’s not just black and white.

Even if say the Raiders, Titans, Sharks or the Warriors achieved a modicum of success (particularly the Warriors and in the case of both the Raiders and the Sharks you can see that) they just wouldn’t get the same amount of games then say the Storm or Souths for example. That is even disregarding the Broncos as well.

There is some weight given to, the perceived or otherwise, size of the market. That’s not a criticism by the way, that’s just normal

while correct they are from smaller markets, They have games v bigger sides.

GC v Broncos, Storm. Souths and Parra rate pretty well. So there is a scope to put these sides in on the bigger timeslots if they become an elite side.

That said Regional sides help drive subs for Fox/Kayo. So they still serve a purpose.

Warriors should never get games at 7.30 Sydney time. Which rules them out of the good timeslots, A new Perth or NZ side will have similar issues but the extra timeslot will be the big advantage

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

Maybe those other teams dont rate on TV

Bar in Brisbane where Fri night is reserved for the Broncos

Cowboys rated just fine between 2017-2019.

Everything you ever wanted to know about NRL TV ratings but were afraid to ask

The overwhelming majority of fans get their NRL fix through the TV. An average round will attract 124,000 in the stands but 3.6 million, thirty times as many, will tune in via subscription (PTV) or…

pythagonrl.com

 

[Wb1234]

If that’s the case then there shouldn’t be an extra side.

You couldn’t split games (really) between Wellington and Christchurch for example because of the distance (it’s roughly 400-500 kilometres apart). Hamilton is even worse it’s probably what 700 or 800 kilometres which is nearly the distance from Sydney to Melbourne

Essentially you’d have to pick either Welllington or Christchurch or even Hamilton. You couldn’t have a team trying to represent all these areas

Faced between a smallish team focused on one market or a team based in Christchurch playing one or two games in each of those cities im picking the latter

they could brush Hamilton and just be a south islands team I guess

 

[Colk]

Faced between a smallish team focused on one market or a team based in Christchurch playing one or two games in each of those cities im picking the latter

they could brush Hamilton and just be a south islands team I guess

Wellington is also on the north island mate.

The only way it could work is maybe one or two games at Dunedin but then again I’d question what the point of that would be.

 

[Wb1234]

Wellington is also on the north island mate.

The only way it could work is maybe one or two games at Dunedin but then again I’d question what the point of that would be.

Other than Wellington they have really good grounds

can’t see why giving those areas two games will hurt

12 games in Christchurch is too much I think the crowds would be lucky be be 10k average if they play all the games there

 

[Wb1234]

Grand plans: Inside the $30m bid for a second New Zealand team

$30m bid launched for a second New Zealand team based in Wellington, representing lower North Island and South Island

www.nrl.com

Chalmers wants it based out of Wellington

he’s a major snake oil salesman though

 

[Wb1234]

The emergence of a possible second Kiwi team coincides with a renewed focus on development in New Zealand through the introduction of a national under-20s competition and plans for under-16s and under-18s competitions.

NZRL CEO Greg Peters said the ARLC's investment in New Zealand would not only produce talent for the NRL but also help to grow the international game.

Who’s your team’s clutch player?

"The ARLC have provided funding in the past but it has significantly increased this year and there is a greater recognition of New Zealand's place in the development pathway, which we are grateful for," Peters said.”

I knew the arlc had increased funding for juniors in nz

also good to see they are bringing in a National under 20s and also looking at younger age groups as well

 

[RL The greatest game]

Grand plans: Inside the $30m bid for a second New Zealand team

$30m bid launched for a second New Zealand team based in Wellington, representing lower North Island and South Island

www.nrl.com

Chalmers wants it based out of Wellington

he’s a major snake oil salesman though

Bradford Bulls fans will confirm that about Chalmers.

 

[Wb1234]

Bradford Bulls fans will confirm that about Chalmers.

Real shame what happened at Bradford

They were a powerhouse

not sure Ralph is a better owner either

 

[Gobsmacked]

You use the "TV money has gone up 70% in NZ ." Knowing full well that it will go back down when the current deal ends. Despite what you claim there is zero chance Sky will pay more than they need to, to be the highest bid.

And the bullshit you are bringing up about "populations" of Sydney districts?? Really??? Those clubs who are in DRIVING distance of most of the rest of the competition, and will have access to opposition fans. You really are grasping at straws.

You pick two cities that don't have suitable stadiums, in populations that don't have a lot of League support, no longer have a lot of juniors, have no serious pathways and are at least one flight away for apposing teams fans to attend ... oh and no bids.

Despite all the facts shown, you think the next club will be in NZ because it "will deal a massive blow to NZ rugby". Given Spark Sports demise, the next team will almost certainly be Perth. I hope you don't go suicidal when its announced.

Rhhhhhh!
Yeah with inflation sky-rocketing.. in 5 years time.. sky will offer 70% less
It doesn't effect me NZ getting a second team... or Super Rugby falling off a cliff..
I'm simply reading the writing on the wall for you

 

[Te Kaha]

Rhhhhhh!
Yeah with inflation sky-rocketing.. in 5 years time.. sky will offer 70% less
It doesn't effect me NZ getting a second team... or Super Rugby falling off a cliff..
I'm simply reading the writing on the wall for you

Sure it doesn't "effect" you.... Your constant posting while on holiday in the America's says otherwise.

And inflation??? for TV rights??? Seriously??? All Sky will need to do is outbid the next TV network. Which wont be hard at all. Unless the NRL want to take a massive pay cut to get it on free to air, I'm sure the other clubs will love that.

 

[Gobsmacked]

The NRL has shown thier hand twice now. First the 17th team was another Brisbane team to create a rival.
That's exactly what a second NZ team will do. They want rivals.
Then Andrew Abdo basically said the next team will be NZ.

At the end of next year or maybe the year after they will announce that they are accepting bids from NZ.

Clear as day.

There'll be probably 3 bids as was Brisbane: Auckland 2, Wellington and Christchurch . Wellington being the best location obviously because it's a new location but still has strong RL roots.
The bidding process is all just competition to create the strongest bid/ business case/backers when they hit the ground.

NZ 2 , it's a done deal.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Sure it doesn't "effect" you.... Your constant posting while on holiday in the America's says otherwise.

And inflation??? for TV rights??? Seriously??? All Sky will need to do is outbid the next TV network. Which wont be hard at all. Unless the NRL want to take a massive pay cut to get it on free to air, I'm sure the other clubs will love that.

I love it. " constant posting"
Accurate as ever
And I enjoy watching the monkey dance when I get back to my hotel for some chill time- it's fun

 

[Te Kaha]

The NRL has shown thier hand twice now. First the 17th team was another Brisbane team to create a rival.
That's exactly what a second NZ team will do. They want rivals.
Then Andrew Abdo basically said the next team will be NZ.

At the end of next year or maybe the year after they will announce that they are accepting bids from NZ.

Clear as day.

There'll be probably 3 bids as was Brisbane: Auckland 2, Wellington and Christchurch . Wellington being the best location obviously because it's a new location but still has strong RL roots.
The bidding process is all just competition to create the strongest bid/ business case/backers when they hit the ground.

NZ 2 , it's a done deal.

No matter how many times you say it wont make it true. The CEO "basically said", which by the way doesn't actually mean he said it will be there, made his statement when there was TV money in NZ to support two teams. By the time a new team is bought in that will no longer be the case.

You really will be upset when Perth is announced next.

 

[Wb1234]

The NRL has shown thier hand twice now. First the 17th team was another Brisbane team to create a rival.
That's exactly what a second NZ team will do. They want rivals.
Then Andrew Abdo basically said the next team will be NZ.

At the end of next year or maybe the year after they will announce that they are accepting bids from NZ.

Clear as day.

There'll be probably 3 bids as was Brisbane: Auckland 2, Wellington and Christchurch . Wellington being the best location obviously because it's a new location but still has strong RL roots.
The bidding process is all just competition to create the strongest bid/ business case/backers when they hit the ground.

NZ 2 , it's a done deal.

If league is to become number one then teams in Auckland Wellington and Christchurch would reflect that