Time for a Wellington based NRL team?

[Philip_Smith007]

I know we missed out last time to Gold Coast, but is it time for again to push for Wellington based NRL team?

The world cup win should of caused an increase in league interest.
The Warriors youth is looking great and we will lose them to australian teams in the long term due to salary caps.
It would set up a great local darby for NZ league.
The stadium is already there!

Didnt Welly have a large billionare backer last time? Is he still on the scene?

Mr Gallop look outside of Sydney and the Central Coast for growth!
Whats holding this back?

 

[Dr Crane]

The Phoenix and Rugby.

Wellington is only so big, there is only so much corporate cash to go around.

 

[Lockyer4President!]

Whats holding this back?

IMO the NRL would rather have all the RL support in NZ rally behind the Warriors and make the Warriors strong than have two smaller teams who'll always be struggling. At least for the time being anyway.

 

[Sam_the_man]

The one problem is that the Canterbury area needs a team as well but niether area is strong enough to support a team by themselves. When the Gold Coast were admitted back into the NRL an NRL official said that an Orcas team was next cab off the rank. Trouble is time has moved on and other areas are being targeted now. And the Millionaire was from Belgian.

 

[Scottey]

The Warriors must become a success first. You'd say that as a whole the club has been fairly successful, but has always been a case of what has been promising and what we COULD do.

I honestly can't see league being a success in any other place in New Zealand. Stereotypically, rugby league is more of a lower class sport. Union is seen more as a proper man's game. From Auckland, come all the less wealthy Mangere kids who are signing left right and centre with NRL clubs who have oodles of talent. Ruben Wiki was one of them. Sonny Fai another. Realisticly, the only other two cities you could generate enough interest in the team for it to survive would be Wellington or Christchurch. Wellington have the Phoenix and their Hurricanes, and the South Island folkes are going to be hard to lure away from their Union. Mt Smart Stadium is so convenient for families to roll up to and spend an afternoon at watching the Warriors, who have a cult like fan base these days. You're either a Warrios supporter or you're not. You don't really need public transport, as opposed to somewhere like the Caketin which resides in the city, and wouldn't generate the hype or attendance of the families, which rugby league associates with.

The Warriors would have to change back to the Auckland Warriors too, and thus change their black strip to the traditional blue Auckland colours. And to be honest, when the Warriors go well, it's cool feeling that the whole country is behind this team. It wouldn't be the same with two New Zealand NRL teams.

 

[Micistm]

Not yet, it's a few years off yet IMO. If the Warriors can create something like the Broncos have, and get the passion for League going in NZ, maybe then. As a League loving Coaster living in Canty, it's hard to admit, but there just wouldn't be enough bums on seats week in week out.
I do want to see domestic comp pushed a bit more. I still cry thinking about the wasted potential the Bartercard Cup comp had. The way it was done last year was fun although brief 'Season', but the games were generally of a high standard (The Canty/Auckland one here at Rugby League park in Chch was a ripper-Did anyone tape it?!), but I was gutted at the lack of promotion and interest. I tried to get a few along and will try again this year. I mean, $5 entry! Promote it a little, you'd get some families along and hopefully a bit more interest in the game

 

[3threepeat]

IMO, This wont work, regardless of the world cup win the NZRL is still struggiling, the provincial comp needs more exposure and even the club game is sick and there is no money at all to go round.

Be faithfull in the small things and big things will follow

all i see if we have a 2 NRL sides from NZ at this stage, one of them will be the wodden spooners and the grass roots game over here will be neglected even further.

However I think the warriors should play more fixtures around NZ to get other cities involved. With the new barters comp playing a warm up match b4 the NRL game, maybe a barters grand final b4 a NRL match? or getting a team from NZ to play in the the jim beam cup? and getting more support for the Vulcans, but whats needed most is getting more people down to the local grounds to support their local club and the NZRL making the game more appealing from people from all over society in NZ.

If the foundations are right then a 2nd NRL club would be easily on the cards.

 

[Sam_the_man]

Not yet, it's a few years off yet IMO. If the Warriors can create something like the Broncos have, and get the passion for League going in NZ, maybe then. As a League loving Coaster living in Canty, it's hard to admit, but there just wouldn't be enough bums on seats week in week out.
I do want to see domestic comp pushed a bit more. I still cry thinking about the wasted potential the Bartercard Cup comp had. The way it was done last year was fun although brief 'Season', but the games were generally of a high standard (The Canty/Auckland one here at Rugby League park in Chch was a ripper-Did anyone tape it?!), but I was gutted at the lack of promotion and interest. I tried to get a few along and will try again this year. I mean, $5 entry! Promote it a little, you'd get some families along and hopefully a bit more interest in the game

No but i saw the game on TV and yes it was a cracker.
last tacke of the game the Auckland fullback gets knocked out, play on the ref calls and Canterbury go unders the posts for a try and win the match.

 

[Skinner]

No but i saw the game on TV and yes it was a cracker.
last tacke of the game the Auckland fullback gets knocked out, play on the ref calls and Canterbury go unders the posts for a try and win the match.

I worked at the Auckland based Bartercard Provincial series games (including the final), and I have to say that the crowds were absolutely pathetic.....not surprising though - little or no promotion.

It is actually a good little comp.

 

[Micistm]

Yes indeedy, the lack of promotion really bugs me. But having tried to get people along last year and so many 'Meh' about it, it doesn't surprise me that it may be disheartening promoting and seeing few turn up.
It baffles me, if you enjoy League, and watching Warriors games, why not some home rep games and cheer on your home region team?
I have to do a bit more this year in trying to get others along- as well as learn the players names of the team I'm supporting as I admit I know bugger all of 'em! But I hope League circles are gonna try a bit harder to get this years domestic rep stuff a bit more 'out there'