Magic round won't work in NZ given the timing of the fixtures.
Perhaps they can host a double header as part of an amended magic round in 2022.
Thats not quite correct. Magic round won't work in NZ for the broadcasters given the timing of the fixtures. But it would work exceptionally well for the game, for the fans and for the Warriors. Media can suck it up for one round for the greater good.
The broadcasters pay the bills so they matter.
8PM Friday game in NZ is 10PM local. It just doesn't work.
A triple header on Sunday as part of magic round is the best we will get.
What expectation is there that NZ fans would turn up in numbers to magic round days not featuring the warriors anyways? Magic round as it currently stands has each day "main evented" so to speak by a QLD team or Melbourne. A magic round in Sydney could be similarly built around different Sydney clubs.
Maybe, just maybe... the broadcasters- who the fans of 80% of the clubs in the NRL think have done nothing to help grow the game or help their club- could stretch a little to y'know help the team who ensured they got any broadcast value at all over the last year. being away from their families for months on end during the worst health crisis of the millenium.
Yeah maybe they could remember that for, like, almost a a season or two? Too much to ask? It is MAGIC ROUND after all, no expectation it runs as normal. Adjust games an hour or so either way. I reckon NZ would LOVE some late night footy.
I say this as a fan of a club who has had NRL execs come out to visit the club to discuss how AFL was reclaiming the region (which had been staunchly NRL for 2 decades), eating the NRL alive in community involvement, schools, govt support & even local TV now. (I'm a PE teacher, seen firsthand how hard AFL is killing NRL school/community involvement).
Guess the NRL execs response? He said as far as NRL HQ is concerned that Canberra can "wither on the vine" (exact quote in record) as far as NRL HQ is concerned. When asked by the Raiders CEO if he was aware 30% of NRL players came from the Monaro, Southern NSW/ACT region repped by the Raiders... Nope, exec had no idea. Didn't care actually- not Sydney or Brisbane you see. Who gives a stuff. No media. No money.
So how about the NRL & greedy broadcasters who know & care nothing about 80% of the game give up one Bronco's EXTRA (magic) home game & a couple of hours of primetime to thank the club that kept the whole comp running, above & beyond every call of duty or personal need?
How about it #9? FOX/ NRL?
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Why should they trade anything?Personally I feel they should be trading their home games this year for away games, with their away games next year played in NZ.
AFAIC the Warriors have done more for the code last year and now this year, than any other club in the comp have done for the code.They have sacrificed a great amount of time away from their families.
They should have a whole year (2022 at home NZ) to make up for the lack of time with family and as a reward for their sacrifice.
Any real rugby league fan who thinks this is not needed, needs to be publicly tarred and feathered .
Travelling domestically is a lot easier than internationally. The Warriors have to turn up 3 hours before each flight. Domestically they’re arriving and flying within an hour. Also they don’t need to adjust to time zones.There are other considerations here. I doubt the warriors would want every single game in NZ given they have a large supporter base in Australia within the 3 biggest cities. Also, given the 'away' games would likely be in other parts of NZ and assuming the travel bubble is completely open, travelling to the east coast of Australia for games is going to result in a similar time away form family compared to the south island of NZ.
20 games in NZ, 2 in Sydney, 1 in each of Melbourne and Brisbane sounds right.
Travelling domestically is a lot easier than internationally. The Warriors have to turn up 3 hours before each flight. Domestically they’re arriving and flying within an hour. Also they don’t need to adjust to time zones.
Travelling domestically is a lot easier than internationally. The Warriors have to turn up 3 hours before each flight. Domestically they’re arriving and flying within an hour. Also they don’t need to adjust to time zones.
You’re right, 2 hours to NZ, 3 hours everywhere elseDo they?
I turn up 2 hours before a flight. Surely they could turn up 90 minutes before.
Mind you, I've seen some teams kicking around the airport for long time periods.
Domestic easier, no question.