New Zealand dominance of rugby league paving way for second Kiwi team in NRL

[Perth Red]

yep that's what the NATIONAL RL needs, more Eastern seaboard teams. It's fine to fish where the fish are but only a stupid man would fish were the riverbank is already packed full of fishermen!

I would love to see the NRL IC and the NZRL get together and develop a 5-10 year strategy for Wellington that gets the city ready for an NRL team.

Whilst the Warriors might only just be showing us the strength of NZ RL when you factor in all the talent that comes from NZ to Oz to play, the strength of the NZ national side and now the different grades coming through, plus the re emergence of the NZRL from the basketcase it was then all the signs are good for the future of the game in that country.

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

In 10 years time I think (hope) we'll have a 20 team competition with Perth, SE Queensland/Brisbane, Wellington/Christchurch, Central Queensland added to the existing 16. I think a second team in NZ is a certainty to happen at some stage. In 10 years time over half of the competition may be of Pacific Island heritage at the rate we are going now.

My opinion is that if a current club goes bust than their license may be given to the Bears consortium, if they are still interested. And Adelaide may also be an option for relocation. But the above 4 teams would be worthy of their own identity and genesis.

 

[Noa]

Slade Griffen is a South Islander. Also in the NZRL national competition the South Island Scorpians U15's rep side just beat the the Auckland U15's rep team, a Kiwi might be able to tell us if thats a first or not. And theres some guns in that Scorpians side, the Storm has a few of them.

 

[_Johnsy]

We continually heard about how a 2nd brisbane team would be worth millions to the new TV deal. Surely a 2nd NZ team would be of equal value.

 

[Noa]

We continually heard about how a 2nd brisbane team would be worth millions to the new TV deal. Surely a 2nd NZ team would be of equal value.

I think so Johnsy. From what I can gather the Warriors NYC team has had a huge effect on young rugby players over there. I think a 2nd NZ team will have a massive effect in the long-run to what path many of these magnificent young polynesian athletes turn. Which can only be good for our code.

 

[Goddo]

In 10 years time I think (hope) we'll have a 20 team competition with Perth, SE Queensland/Brisbane, Wellington/Christchurch, Central Queensland added to the existing 16. I think a second team in NZ is a certainty to happen at some stage. In 10 years time over half of the competition may be of Pacific Island heritage at the rate we are going now.

My opinion is that if a current club goes bust than their license may be given to the Bears consortium, if they are still interested. And Adelaide may also be an option for relocation. But the above 4 teams would be worthy of their own identity and genesis.

Great post, agree for all but one point - the second Queensland expansion would be better on the Sunshine Coast rather than Central Queensland - population, sponsor opportunites and metro Brisbane ratings make it more attractive. We would need significant population growth in Rockhampton to make CQ viable. The Northern part of CQ steps on the Cowboys toes a bit in Mackay.

2015 - WA1 (Perth) and QLD4 (Brisbane metro SEQ bid)
2025ish - NZ2 (Wellington/Christchurch) and QLD5 (Sunshine Coast)

+ Sydney reorganised or Bears in if there is a relocation (eg Manly/Cronulla to Sunshine Coast)

Thats the outcome the NRL needs but not necissarily what individual clubs or fans want.

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

Great post, agree for all but one point - the second Queensland expansion would be better on the Sunshine Coast rather than Central Queensland - population, sponsor opportunites and metro Brisbane ratings make it more attractive. We would need significant population growth in Rockhampton to make CQ viable. The Northern part of CQ steps on the Cowboys toes a bit in Mackay.

2015 - WA1 (Perth) and QLD4 (Brisbane metro SEQ bid)
2025ish - NZ2 (Wellington/Christchurch) and QLD5 (Sunshine Coast)

+ Sydney reorganised or Bears in if there is a relocation (eg Manly/Cronulla to Sunshine Coast)

Thats the outcome the NRL needs but not necissarily what individual clubs or fans want.

Yeah. Whether or not Central Queensland is the way to go (or ever quite realistic) is something I am not sure about. The Sunshine Coast was my other thought. Whatever and whoever the case I do think that 5 teams in Queensland will be the way to go at some stage.

The western corridor/Ipswich may be the best option, along with Brisbane II. Time will tell, but I do think that is the direction that we are heading. Spots within NSW (Central Coast) should be implicitly reserved for relocation in my opinion. I think every team in NSW is currently strategically important in their own right, but we've got enough here certainly not to warrant any more.

 

[flippikat]

New Zealand is starting to turn into another Brisbane, a wealth of talent and fans but only one team.

We need national teams playing out of Westpac Stadium, Wellington; NIB Stadium, Perth; Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast; and a second team playing out of Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

None of this can happen until a redistribution of Sydney clubs occurs. Wellington Sharks perhaps?

I live just outside Wellington.. in the Hutt Valley, about 25 mins by commuter train.

In the past few seasons, the wife & I have gone up to Auckland for a week and attend the Warriors v Souths game each year - she's a Bunnies fan, I'm a Warriors fan.

It's usually the only holiday we take each year, apart from the odd trip to Brisbane - every 2-3 years - to see her extended family (they moved there in the '90s).

This year has been the first year we haven't done that - because we have a baby on the way (due in march) and we just have to save our money.

So I would welcome ANY team based Wellington:

If any Sydney team wanted move completely to Wellington, they will be my team.
If any bid from Wellington is accepted, they will be my team.

I'll still cheer for the Warriors when-ever they play, but the I'll support the Wellington team

If a team was to play a handful games per season in Wellington, I'll go to a game or two.. but I'll still support the Warriors.

The Bulldogs used to bring their home game v Warriors to Wellington - I went each year to that, but it didn't turn me into a Bulldogs fan.

 

[Delboy]

Just got back from the Carbine Club Grand Final lunch, Dean Bell froim the Warriiors said that players like Konrad Hurrell (who was at a rugby school and then offered a chance at the Warriors), are now looking to come to league.

He said they had to get him fit because of the difference between the 2 codes, but more NZ youth are looking at rugby league than ever before. To be fair the school was in Auckland

 

[Eels Dude]

I'd like the Warriors stay successful and having a second NZ side now could hamper that right now. It'd be much better to have a Warriors side that sits towards the top of the table every year than two NZ sides who sit mid table or lower. But in a few years time if the Warriors keep doing what they're doing then yes of course.

 

[smithie]

Great post, agree for all but one point - the second Queensland expansion would be better on the Sunshine Coast rather than Central Queensland - population, sponsor opportunites and metro Brisbane ratings make it more attractive. We would need significant population growth in Rockhampton to make CQ viable. The Northern part of CQ steps on the Cowboys toes a bit in Mackay.

2015 - WA1 (Perth) and QLD4 (Brisbane metro SEQ bid)
2025ish - NZ2 (Wellington/Christchurch) and QLD5 (Sunshine Coast)

+ Sydney reorganised or Bears in if there is a relocation (eg Manly/Cronulla to Sunshine Coast)

Thats the outcome the NRL needs but not necissarily what individual clubs or fans want.

Agree about Central QLD, they just don't have the population.

The real battle will be Western Corridor vs. Sunshine Coast for the fifth QLD licence in about 2020, after Perth & Brisbane II are admitted in 2014/15.

 

[BuffaloRules]

I'd like the Warriors stay successful and having a second NZ side now could hamper that right now. It'd be much better to have a Warriors side that sits towards the top of the table every year than two NZ sides who sit mid table or lower. But in a few years time if the Warriors keep doing what they're doing then yes of course.

Agree with this...

They need a couple of premierships under the belt first....

2018 at the earliest....

 

[blain]

You get a side down here in Wellington, expect league to boom. It already has started. They would need to start a better youth system, but if there is a pro side in the area look for hundreds of union players to jump at a chance to play.

League is in a buzz atm, people who dont even watch sport are saying to me that I must be sooo excited, and they are too!! Its awesome to see.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Slade Griffen is a South Islander. Also in the NZRL national competition the South Island Scorpians U15's rep side just beat the the Auckland U15's rep team, a Kiwi might be able to tell us if thats a first or not. And theres some guns in that Scorpians side, the Storm has a few of them.

while they may not have the numbers that Auckland has Canterbury League has always produced some good players, they also have one of NZ league's traditional heartlands nearby on the West Coast. I remember Canterbury regional sides beating Auckland sides in thew past so doubt it's a first.

 

[Goddo]

Agree about Central QLD, they just don't have the population.

The real battle will be Western Corridor vs. Sunshine Coast for the fifth QLD licence in about 2020, after Perth & Brisbane II are admitted in 2014/15.

Assuming Brisbane II beats Western Corridor for 2015 (which is far from certain)

 

[docbrown]

Put a team in Wellington and the interest will increase enough to support it full time. For the formative year they could play 2 or 3 games in the South Island too.

Within 10 years:
Wellington
2 derby games a year
A game in NZ almost every week

Within 15-20 years - Christchurch
6 derby games a year
A regular New Zealand time slot
The big 3 population centres covered

Within 25-30 years - a 4th team - either in Auckland northside or Waikato
12 derby games a year
2 games a week in New Zealand most of the season

For mine the 20 team comp expansions would be Perth, Brisbane/SEQ, Central Coast & Wellington. A Sydney merger opens a slot for Adelaide. Sushine Coast & Christchurch would create a 22 team comp.

 

[smithie]

Would a Sharks relocation to Wellington work?

 

[Noa]

while they may not have the numbers that Auckland has Canterbury League has always produced some good players, they also have one of NZ league's traditional heartlands nearby on the West Coast. I remember Canterbury regional sides beating Auckland sides in thew past so doubt it's a first.

Was that at senior or junior level. Seems it would be a bigger achievement for the juniors to do it.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Would a Sharks relocation to Wellington work?

Don't see why not- "Southern Sharks" hasa nice ring to it too.

 

[Goddo]

Sharks have the same colours as the Orcas bid and a marine creature mascot. Play in a mostly black jersey in NZ and a mostly blue jersey in Australia.