New Zealand 2 will deal a massive blow to NZ rugby

[Gobsmacked]

That stupid twat still reads this forum and posts to me on social media

When I tell him to respond here he doesn’t reply

Everything he said about nz was wrong

Tell him I said hi !!!

 

[Matua]

Nothing short of what would be described as a boom for Rugby league in NZ. Going absolutely nuts! This is on the back of previously strong years of growth since Covid. Viewership up 13% also, revenue up, the Women's game going gangbusters and they've just introduced an NRLW team.

I can see why Te kah made way for the exit..
Matua now also a noted absentee...

Rugby League can and will lap Union for popularity in NZ .. only question is when.

The no ad-block screwed my browser, it just froze it, so I just stopped posting for a while. When I came back I couldn't be bothered shitfighting as much, plus the thread was swaying way off course from the OP for a while there. I still post in the NZ section.

It's good the hype is translating into more players, although for some perspective a 24% increase in players means there's now 5k more league players at all levels in NZ as there are teenage male rugby players.

Hilarious to see Wb complaining about the Warriors setting up in Logan and not in NZ - if you go back to the start of the thread this is the stuff that Te Kaha and I were discussing, the need to focus on domestic league in NZ. Nearly three years on and the same problem's exist - my province doesn't get a look in on the annual report because the game is on life support there AND in the context of this thread we don't look to have a NZ2 coming any time soon. The NRL needs to sign off on the Cantab team as quick as possible if they want to maintain the momentum, plus it will instantly create my most hated team in the NRL.

Yes, it is a boom for league, the question, as some of us have mentioned during the thread is whether the boom can be maintained in the future, as we've had booms in the past fizzle out.

 

[Gobsmacked]

The no ad-block screwed my browser, it just froze it, so I just stopped posting for a while. When I came back I couldn't be bothered shitfighting as much, plus the thread was swaying way off course from the OP for a while there. I still post in the NZ section.

It's good the hype is translating into more players, although for some perspective a 24% increase in players means there's now 5k more league players at all levels in NZ as there are teenage male rugby players.

Hilarious to see Wb complaining about the Warriors setting up in Logan and not in NZ - if you go back to the start of the thread this is the stuff that Te Kaha and I were discussing, the need to focus on domestic league in NZ. Nearly three years on and the same problem's exist - my province doesn't get a look in on the annual report because the game is on life support there AND in the context of this thread we don't look to have a NZ2 coming any time soon. The NRL needs to sign off on the Cantab team as quick as possible if they want to maintain the momentum, plus it will instantly create my most hated team in the NRL.

Yes, it is a boom for league, the question, as some of us have mentioned during the thread is whether the boom can be maintained in the future, as we've had booms in the past fizzle out.

Well credit where credit is due. You showed up and admitted what has become clear.

I do wonder, as there's certainly no breake in momentum for Rugby league in New Zealand in the near term. Maybe it is a great weapon to have at disposal when momentum does start to slow?

The Warriors setting up pathways in SEQ is going to become par for the course across the board, as all NRL clubs are in NZ..
You need pathways everywhere you can to get your hands on the best talent available.
The Warriors have a huge following in SEQ ,which reflects the Kiwi population there now due to economic circumstances. So there's plenty of Kiwi talent there that are more swayed by a Warriors jumper than a Broncos one.

You can tell us that your region is on life support... when you're not there and the numbers tell another story...
I guess we'll just have to take your word for it that you got from someone else?
In any case, New Zealand is in a net gain of double digits year over year. Maybe where you are from is in decline due to an ageing demographic.

 

[Wb1234]

Nah the warriors are doing it out of spite for Aussie club raiding their juniors

If they got the money to spend spend it on nz outside of Auckland

Brisbane doesn’t need any more help producing juniors and the chances they get any of those players back in nz instead of a Aussie club is zero

The nz name is bs. It’s an Auckland club happy to sit on its laurels

Chch will give them a huge kick up the bum

Webster though looks like he will be good for the local talent I expect to see more kiwi juniors playing fg like my mate whose name I got mixed up lmao

 

[Jonty]

Nothing short of what would be described as a boom for Rugby league in NZ. Going absolutely nuts! This is on the back of previously strong years of growth since Covid. Viewership up 13% also, revenue up, the Women's game going gangbusters and they've just introduced an NRLW team.

I can see why Te kah made way for the exit..
Matua now also a noted absentee...

Rugby League can and will lap Union for popularity in NZ .. only question is when.

It’ll be a generational thing mate as RL is fast becoming NZ’s #1 code.

hell if it wasn’t for the AB’s it would be #1 right now today as we speak.

 

[Wb1234]

It’ll be a generational thing mate as RL is fast becoming NZ’s #1 code.

hell if it wasn’t for the AB’s it would be #1 right now today as we speak.

To be fair not when the code doesn’t exist at schools and they have comps like the npc etc

It’s their national sport league won’t take over easily.

If the nrl had 3 or 4 nrl sides then down the track maybe they would flow down to playing numbers

Aussie clubs are doing most of the heavy lifting producing nz nrl players

 

[Perth Red]

Not close
schools, player numbers, revenue, Int interest etc RL is still a long way behind

 

[LightLizard]

I sent this to the NZRL months ago - and to Frank Endacott - have never heard a thing.. it may not all fit on here.

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NRL Telstra Premiership - NZ Warriors - NSW / Q/Cups

NZ2 - KRL​

14.03.2025
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Just before I get into the proposal. A wee rant….

I have no affiliation with any League group and have no financial or planning experience or anything even closely related to knowing what I’m talking about – but something needs to change. WITH NO VESTED INTERESTS TRYING TO SABATAGE IT – AS SEEMS TO HAPPEN. However – It has absolutely blown me away that a game that has been played in this country for 117 years and is currently “on fire” within and outside the country and it seems with the media, has not, except for a very short time, got a National Elite League club system in place. There are literally thousands of NZ League stars and personalities right around the globe right now for our Kiwi Kids to look up to and have the thought that they too can get there – from here. I recently spent some time in Aussie and they live and breath it. We stayed in Newcastle and went to an NSW Cup game there and then a week later one in Sydney. It was great. The atmosphere – the fans – the games – and that is just NSW Cup. The Newcastle game had about 2k there I would guess. I was talking about the NRL bids from NZ2 and how we are being ignored by the NRL because NZRL seem to be asleep, and we have nothing AT ALL here regarding a structured Nation-Wide REGULAR competition. That led to covo’s re our Nation-Wide structure over here. It was an embarrassing conversation from my end; I can tell you. I actually heard Cameron George talking on radio while over there saying what an amazing job NZRL are doing for League in NZ. What !!! . If you talk to someone – anyone – and ask them about any League premiership comps on in NZ, and where and when, they have no idea, most don’t know we had such a thing. Unless you are involved in a club, or league administration, or at “Head Office” it is UNKNOWN. In Aussie, it is on radio, in papers, on Facebook, on Podcasts, EVERYWHERE. This, I think, is why the NRL is ignoring us, and is not going to entertain an NZ2 side over here anytime soon. Like 10-15yrs soon…. It will be SEQ – Central Coast way before NZ2.

NZ Union is in some real trouble right now – the NPC is nearly gone as opposed to what it used to be. If it isn’t the time now for something like the below - then we may as well give NZ League to the NRL and let them run it.

And, as I am typing this – I just had a thought – the below (KRL) idea could be given to the NRL and really let them run it.

OK – had my rant. Please read the following proposal.

Added Note: 08.04.2025

If this was implemented (KRL) it would negate the need for any NZ2 bid having to have a pathways system of their own. The KRL would become the pathway.

Maybe Ngai Tahu would be a good backer.



​

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Proposal for New Zealand Regional Rugby League Premiership Competition

KRL – Kiwi Regional League​

This is a “whole” season – up to 24wks (including Finals).

The teams that compete in this (Wiki Cup) would – in 2 – 3 or 5 years be ready to be used as an NSW Cup Team for the new NZ2 NRL side.

With some form of sponsorship – it would/should be a “full-time” paid season for the players. (Wiki Cup Sides) Salay Capped.

It would need to be televised by some means, with the NPC Union Game struggling, maybe SKY would be interested - and GOOD advertising – and promotion otherwise, it just gets lost and forgotten about like the short NZRL premiership games we have now. I’m sure there would be some smart PODCASTERS out there that would/could run it. KRL SPORTS?

And if there is such a thing as Media School still going, I’m sure it would be fantastic training to “run” 2 – 3 cameras at the games.

It would be a NZ version of the NSW Cup – and I know that for the first few years it will fall much below that quality.

Having said that, it would need to be persevered with to have time to get the game quality and, more importantly, the player quality.

I have started with just x 10 teams to get good quality games and a concentration of top players.

Below, I have put an example of how each Region (sample is Canterbury clubs) can use their current premier league club sides as “feeder clubs”. To be shared evenly between their KRL teams. This can work later down the line for age group U17 – U19 – U21 and KRLW teams picked from their local club teams. And in time this should strengthen the over-all club scene, as players will want that chance to get into the “window” of the KRL Teams and NSW / Q-Cup Teams.

14.03.2025

ALL games would be day-time games – Saturday and Sunday

KRL - Wiki Shield (25 players per Team) = 250 Players​

Auckland x 3 = 75 players – x 30 Feeder Clubs

Waikato x 3 (BOP included) = 75 Players - ?

Wellington x 2 = 50 Players – x 14 Feeder Clubs

Canterbury x 2 – (CanTabs + CITY of Christchurch) = 50 Players – 15 Feeder Clubs

KRL - Wiki Shield = 10 Teams – 25 players per all teams = 250 Players

Each team plays each other team twice – Home / Away.

KRL - Wiki Shield - Top 5 finals Series:​

Week one

Qualification final: 2nd vs 3rd

Elimination final: 4th vs 5th

Bye: 1st

Week two

Major semi-final: 1st vs winners of qualification final

Minor semi-final: losers of qualification final vs winners of elimination final

Week three

Preliminary final: losers of major semi-final vs winners of minor semi-final

Bye: winners of major semi-final

Week four

Grand final: winners of major semi-final vs winners of preliminary final

14.03.2025

​

	​		​

CANTERBURY KRL TEAMS

KRL FEEDER CLUB TEAMS 14.03.2025

CITY

Linwood Keas

Celebration Lions

Eastern Eagles

Northern Bulldogs

Sydenham Swans

Woolston Rams

Shirley Hawks​

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CanTabs

Halswell Hornets

Hornby Panthers

Addington Magpies

Burnham Chevaliers

Papanui Tigers

Rolleston Warriors

Riccarton Knights​

*Greymouth Greyhounds

* Share players between both teams

The Canterbury Bulls could stay as the Canterbury Rep side.

While on the Canterbury thought: It would be great if one of the “Old” stands from Appollo Project Stadium could, somehow, be erected at Ngā Puna Wai. It’s bloody cold watching footy out there.​

 

[LightLizard]

 

[Gobsmacked]

Not close
schools, player numbers, revenue, Int interest etc RL is still a long way behind

No it's not. You can't couple together all these metrics but there's only one that counts. FANS .
FANS. if you have the most fans, you win.
End of story.
Soccer knows this because they have massive player numbers- doesn't mean shit.
AFL knows this because they get big crowds- doesn't mean shit.

When what happens on the weekend sport that you watched , that you talk about at school, talk about at work, look forward too- that sport becomes the culture- the sport with the most fans.

How's the crowd at the UFC? What are the participation numbers?
Yet, there's no denying it is massive!

All those rises in numbers lead us to is hopefully- more fans.

Rugby League is taking over NZ without a doubt.

 

[Gobsmacked]

To be fair not when the code doesn’t exist at schools and they have comps like the npc etc

It’s their national sport league won’t take over easily.

If the nrl had 3 or 4 nrl sides then down the track maybe they would flow down to playing numbers

Aussie clubs are doing most of the heavy lifting producing nz nrl players

It will eclipse Union within a decade.

 

[BuffaloRules]

That stupid twat still reads this forum and posts to me on social media

When I tell him to respond here he doesn’t reply

Everything he said about nz was wrong

Yeah ..Te Kaha was one of the worst Union trolls in my 20 year here …actually made him a mod at some stage which was a bit of a joke … he would be mortified with how things are going now ..no wonder he is nowhere to be seen these days

 

[Wb1234]

 

[Matiunz]

https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/new-zealand-warriors-strike-deal-with-logan-city-council-to-set-up-new-training-academy-in-queensland/news-story/5c3c7696beb73812ef43f3f55f995209?amp

Why are they doing this and not spending the money in New Zealand (outside Auckland)

Just stupid

I know I’ve been pushing Boyd but he was awful yesterday can’t see them doing anything in the finals with that choker

But Erin Clarke and especially Lakisima are the bright points for future seasons

Fishing where the fish are,despite moving in the right direction in NZ there’d be more better developed kiwis in Queensland than in Auckland. Makes sense to cover more bases like pretty much every other team is doing.

Boyd didn’t make the clutch kicks but he arguably directs the team better than LM who tends to be more individualistic and off the cuff. I’d prefer a Boyd 7 LM 6 combo when fit

 

[flippikat]

​

ALL games would be day-time games – Saturday and Sunday

KRL - Wiki Shield (25 players per Team) = 250 Players​

Auckland x 3 = 75 players – x 30 Feeder Clubs

Waikato x 3 (BOP included) = 75 Players - ?

Wellington x 2 = 50 Players – x 14 Feeder Clubs

Canterbury x 2 – (CanTabs + CITY of Christchurch) = 50 Players – 15 Feeder Clubs

KRL - Wiki Shield = 10 Teams – 25 players per all teams = 250 Players

Each team plays each other team twice – Home / Away.

KRL - Wiki Shield - Top 5 finals Series:​

The burning question for me is what the best mix for Wellington would be.

I'd venture to say the best idea for 2 teams would be one based in Porirua (Porirua Park), one based in the Hutt Valley (Fraser Park sports complex - due to the decent Pacific Island/Maori population in northern Hutt suburbs like Epuni, Naenae & Taita)

Build a real Coast vs Valley rivalry.

 

[Wb1234]

Super rugby might be struggling but the all blacks remain as before

 

[Matiunz]

The burning question for me is what the best mix for Wellington would be.

I'd venture to say the best idea for 2 teams would be one based in Porirua (Porirua Park), one based in the Hutt Valley (Fraser Park sports complex - due to the decent Pacific Island/Maori population in northern Hutt suburbs like Epuni, Naenae & Taita)

Build a real Coast vs Valley rivalry.

Also wainuiomata over the hill in the hurt has a decent league history too. Otherwise you can maybe look at Kapiti/Horowhenua way

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Annual Report - New Zealand Rugby League

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nzrl.co.nz

Total player number up from 28k to 35k

Men juniors up around 30 percent

@Te Kaha always told us that participation numbers in NZ, especially juniors was non existent and the game was in serious trouble. It's almost like he was talking shit.

 

[Matua]

Super rugby might be struggling but the all blacks remain as before

Super Rugby isn't struggling as much as this thread wants it to, the final had the highest viewership in a decade.

 

[Matua]

@Te Kaha always told us that participation numbers in NZ, especially juniors was non existent and the game was in serious trouble. It's almost like he was talking shit.

I'll bite since Te Kaha is no longer here.

You're rewriting history, at that time the thread started player numbers were much lower than they are now and league had come of an historically low period of participation numbers (and 10 years of terrible Warriors performances). At that time there were less league players in the country than there were 13-17 year old male rugby players.

Thankfully the Warriors hype train has translated into increased participation numbers, but pretending things were rosy when this thread first started is "talking shit".