Where should the next NZ NRL team be?

[Te Kaha]

I think


It has some pros and some cons.. with a 24-round season, you get 12 home games (assuming no byes)

Assuming an even split of home games, that's only 6 games each for Wellington and Christchurch.. you'd have to re-think the model for season-ticket holders.

Perhaps as well as the "both venues" full season ticket, offer a "Wellington only" and a "Christchurch only" package at reduced rates - with the option to add-on games at the other home venue?

For instance, I'm 30 mins away from Wellington. If we had a shared side with Christchurch I'd but a Wellington-games ticket, but I'd definately be interested in adding-on a ticket for one of the Christchurch games (a mid-winter get-away for a weekend). I couldn't fly down to Christchurch for all the other home games though :-(

A set-up I'd like to see is having the team based in one of those cities (lets say 8 home games in Wellington), has a 2nd home nailed-down in the other (3 permanent home games in Christchurch) and the remaining home game on a rotating roster (in alternate years it's taken to Dunedin, New Plymouth, Napier & Palmerston North), or have a bidding system for it.

There is still the issue with the lights in Welly... There are only one or two more times a year the lights are permitted to be on... unless most welly games are held during the day you will run into problems.

 

[flippikat]

There is still the issue with the lights in Welly... There are only one or two more times a year the lights are permitted to be on... unless most welly games are held during the day you will run into problems.

Well, that would suggest a Christchurch-based team could be the most feasable, given that games in NZ would need to be night games for Australian TV.

You could still have 2-3 home games moved out to other centres, however you want to allocate it. I really think that part of the plan would be a key feature.

 

[siv]

Why not have Easts play 6 games at Wellington

And the Bulldogs 3 games at Christchurch

 

[Von]

There is still the issue with the lights in Welly... There are only one or two more times a year the lights are permitted to be on... unless most welly games are held during the day you will run into problems.

What's the issue with the lights? Some sort on neo-nazi-environmental thing? Please explain.

 

[PaulyTom]

If a Sydney team falls the way side then get a 2nd team in NZ. If not it will be in the next round of expansion in 2018....

If you make it a south island team then you could spread the games around alittle. However I think 90% of the games need to be in one city. They can then play 1 or maybe 2 games outside of Christchurch. Not to mention playing preseason games in provincial cities like Dunedin, New Plymouth, Napier & Palmerston North.

 

[anjado]

Really a second NZ team should be in soon within 10 years i feel, There are a huge amount of polynesians playing the game so we could capitalize on that.

I have no idea who is better suited but i cannot see why we can't have 3 New Zealand teams in the competition within 20 years. Auckland,Wellington and Christchurch they should all work and really can boost the code.

Really the NRL has enormous potential as a competition much more so then any other Australian sporting code.

 

[Von]

I agree anjado. Rugby League still has numerous places left for future expansion, Perth, Adelaide, CC, NZ, Brisbane, Ipswich, CQ, PNG.

AFL is pretty much tapped out. There is really nowhere else they can go. The NRL still has plenty in the tank.

 

[LeagueXIII]

The corporate dollar will dictate, I think NZ could handle only one new team.

 

[jim_57]

I'd go with a team based in Christchurch, playing 8 games there and 4 'on the road'. Maybe 8 Christchurch, 3 Wellington, 1 game roatated between other locations.

I like Southern Orcas as a name for such a bid, the fact that they would have a good spead along the south of NZ would make the name "Southern" justified IMO. Maybe South NZ Orcas?

Definatley should be in early stages of development ASAP with an aim for 2018 or so, I think they would add alot to the competition.

 

[Sam H]

Interesting to see a few people advocating Christchurch in this thread. Realistically is there enough of an RL organisation on the ground there to be the basis for a bid in the nearish term?

The Wellington guys seem behind the idea of a regional club for now but are also quick to point out that NZ could handle more than 2 teams in the future. Obviously thats a way down the track though given that Wellington itself, despite all the strategic advantages of another NZ team for the NRL, isn't really getting a look in at the moment...

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Interesting to see a few people advocating Christchurch in this thread. Realistically is there enough of an RL organisation on the ground there to be the basis for a bid in the nearish term?

The Wellington guys seem behind the idea of a regional club for now but are also quick to point out that NZ could handle more than 2 teams in the future. Obviously thats a way down the track though given that Wellington itself, despite all the strategic advantages of another NZ team for the NRL, isn't really getting a look in at the moment...

I dont think so really. League in Christchurch I think comparable to League In Melbourne scaled down. But I do think that the NZ people are more open to a second for of Rugby. It could work.

Id love to see it happen, but I feel that this team would need more support from the NRL then a Perth side.

 

[Te Kaha]

What's the issue with the lights? Some sort on neo-nazi-environmental thing? Please explain.

Not quite... when they wanted to build the new stadium there the locals complained about the lights. Considering Wadestown (the hill above the stadium) is where a lot of "old money" is the council put a limit on the number of times a year the lights can come on.

Most nights were allocated to Rugby and Cricket as the main "stake holders" with a few set aside for "other" events like concerts and such. The only issue with that is that there isnt a backup day should a one day cricket match be "rained out".... Now the phoenix have taken most of those "other" slots leaving only one or two for concerts.

Im guessing that the Orcas bid, which in no way addresses this issue, is counting on the council back tracking if they have a promise of another professional sports team in Welly... its a big risk.

 

[Teddyboy]

New Zealand going have trouble filling there improved stadiums after the RWC has finished.

 

[flippikat]

(duplicate post - text removed)

 

[flippikat]

If the lights problem stops Wellington having a team, I'd like to see the following two teams from NZ..

Auckland (or North NZ) Warriors
Colours: Blue, white and black
10 Home games in Auckland, 1 game per year in Hamilton, 1 game in Rotorua or Tauranga

Christchurch (or South NZ) Bulls / Cardinals / Orcas / ???
Colours: Red, black & white
10 Home games in Christchurch, 1 Game per year in Wellington, 1 game in Dunedin

For fans in other cities ( eg Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North), have these teams play their trial matches there.. And work towards getting Australian NRL teams taking home games or trial games there.

I'm unsure what a Christchurch-based Southern team would have as a nickname, but Cardinals was used in the old Lion Red cup in the 1990s. If their current name Bulls are used by Central Queensland, and Wellington oppose them using the Orcas title, it may be worth considering - though it is rather American.

The other name I can think of is Keas. named after our Mountain Parrot that lives in the Southern Alps... But for that the strip should be mostly green, like the bird's colour.

This might not be too bad, considering there's fewer clash problems with a green strip.. And being a regional team, it would be easier for those outside of Christchurch to cheer for something that's in neutral colours.

 

[Von]

Thanks for the explanation Te Kaha.
Typical of some people.

 

[adamkungl]

I like the idea of a Christcurch team who plays 3-4 games around other places (incl wellington)

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Either Wellington or Christchurch. I like Wolves, Orcas, Kings, Falcons and Lions as possible names. Colours of blue, black, white and purple would be good.

 

[Perth Red]

lol at NZ'ers being afraid of the light!

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Wellington V Christchurch?

 

[flippikat]

lol at NZ'ers being afraid of the light!

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Wellington V Christchurch?

I dunno if it's being afraid of the light.. just some residents from surrounding suburbs wanting to put a limit on the impact to their nights.

It's a shame if this makes an NRL team impossible for Wellington, because as far as transport goes, the stadium is a dream - parked right next to the city's major bus & train hub and still within walking distance of bars, cafes & restaurants.

In fact, inner-city Wellington is probably one of the most pedestrian-friendly places in NZ - in terms of good places you can reach by foot.

The big issue is that I'm pretty sure NZ teams HAVE to have night games, if they want the Australian TV dollars.

Not sure what the situation is re: Christchurch's sporting venues - does someone there know if there are any limitations that could effect a bid?