New Zealand 2 will deal a massive blow to NZ rugby

[Vlad59]

I have to admit, I wasn't sure on Vlandys when he first got the gig - but he's impressed me at how he's managed to get the game to grow & face up to expansion while keeping the traditionalists satisfied.

The next 3 expansion teams are gonna be a huge part of his legacy, and I hope like hell he sees the golden opportunity to really attack rugby union in one of it's strongholds with a 2nd NZ NRL club.

For so long we've been reactive, reacting to (mostly) the threat from AFL - perceived or real... but NZ 2 is a chance to be PROACTIVE and attack a rival while they're weak - and a rival that has juniors with transferable skills that can come across to our game!

Jesus man I live in a rugby league wasteland. Vlandys is the only administrator we’ve had who has been prepared to stand up for the game and make us feel proud. If he puts a team in WA (which he will) and another in NZ then I’m a happy man. The afl is running out of options and are putting a team in my home state against their better judgement. It’s a bad option. Tassie is a basket case. Meanwhile We have to get it right and become the dominant code in the southern hemisphere and put new clubs in the best strategic places.

 

[Diesel]

Jesus man I live in a rugby league wasteland. Vlandys is the only administrator we’ve had who has been prepared to stand up for the game and make us feel proud. If he puts a team in WA (which he will) and another in NZ then I’m a happy man. The afl is running out of options and are putting a team in my home state against their better judgement. It’s a bad option. Tassie is a basket case. Meanwhile We have to get it right and become the dominant code in the southern hemisphere and put new clubs in the best strategic places.

RL is encroaching on RU’s traditional territory in the pacific islands. Fiji plays NSW Cup, Samoa and Tonga are getting stronger on the international stage, there’s more interest. While not big markets, they’re growing, whereas union is stagnant or going backwards

 

[Vlad59]

RL is encroaching on RU’s traditional territory in the pacific islands. Fiji plays NSW Cup, Samoa and Tonga are getting stronger on the international stage, there’s more interest. While not big markets, they’re growing, whereas union is stagnant or going backwards

And that’s why the NRL should ignore football shitholes like mine and focus on genuine new markets. Union is stuffed and has been for over a decade. As you say we are advancing all over the South Pacific and that will help the player pool fill up a 20-22 team comp with clubs from 2, 3 and maybe 4 countries. Good days ahead.

 

[Perth Red]

RL is encroaching on RU’s traditional territory in the pacific islands. Fiji plays NSW Cup, Samoa and Tonga are getting stronger on the international stage, there’s more interest. While not big markets, they’re growing, whereas union is stagnant or going backwards

Is the Samoa and tongan int sides improvements (of mostly Aussies and kiwis) making any difference to the interest in the games in the actual islands? Any player numbers from those places?

 

[jim_57]

If they really wanna get into the American market, Hawaii could possibly be a first step. A bit less distance to travel than the American mainland anyway.

From what I understand Hawaii has closed their main stadium to spectators but the plan is to build a new 25k stadium capable of hosting football and rugby by 2028. When that is built it might be worth a look for NRL clubs as well, no professional sports teams so won’t exactly be overflowing with content.

I’m not suggesting the NRL is popular in any real way there at the moment but if there is still in interest in oversees games and the US market then it adds a ‘close’ option. It also fits within a strategy to grow the game in the Pacific.