A second New Zealand team is absolutely still an option. I am going over there on Sunday for the Test match so I will have a good look at the region.
“These consortiums need to have a strong business case that shows how coming into the competition is going to bring a lot of benefits to the game of rugby league.
“If those benefits aren’t there and the investment isn’t there, well, we won’t go ahead with expansion.
“But the initial plan (for 19 teams in 2028) is still possible depending on how discussions go with the clubs and the WA government.”
Former NRL boss David Moffett was disappointed his Christchurch-based bid was shunned, but vowed to press ahead with plans for the South Island Kea to be part of an expanded competition.
“We are really disappointed to get the notification that our bid had been rejected,” Moffett said.
“We are reviewing it and we will be attempting to address the issues in respect to our bid and we will go back to the NRL and see whether we can provide another bid which meets their requirements.”
The Kea are one of three bids from New Zealand’s south island and Moffett said he was happy to continue working with the NRL.
“We’ve always taken the view especially with my experience in sports administration that it’s entirely within the rights of the NRL to decide when, if and who they are going to choose for an expansion team,” Moffett said.
“We actually respect that.
“We are fully supportive of their decision to go to Perth, PNG and whoever in New Zealand. We will continue to put our best foot forward and try to work out exactly where our bid fell down and address their issues.”
Full article is on the 18th club thread