gnidir

Yes, but this would apply to any new market too. My point is that NZ2 is not a new market, nor is it needed to secure an existing one. If expansion is the aim, and the business that goes with that, then I personally dont think the business of NZ2 stacks up in comparison to other options is all.

Well, there is only one tv channel that would broadcast in NZ, Sky Sport. They already have NRL rights. There is only 1 betting company, owned by the Government, so no revenue stream there. Most of NZs economy is export in non consumer sectors, so it more that Australian brands like Harvey Norman benefit from coverage over here. I can't think of an NZ brand that trades in Oz, other than Xero. I agree that a teaming Christchurch could fill a 20k stadium, and I agree that the player base exists here. I just don think the business software expansion in NZ stacks up versus, say, a new market of similar size. My comments on SEQLD4 team are based on a different reasoning, that it secures dominance in a large market that another sport is actively trying to compete in. Protecting the existing revenue that is driving the NRL 'machine'

There is no real value in bringing NZ 2 to the NRL though. The Warriors are the national League brand. The population isnt big enough to support number 2, although Christchurch would be the best option. There would be no additional TV revenue form having NZ 2. No real wider sponsorship revenue, as the NRL brands, and the NRL are on tv everywhere in NZ. There are enough quality players here to create a team, but I dont think the business of NZ 2 stacks up. Brisbane 3 makes sense because it solidifies the market and wards off the threat of AFL trying to expand into RL heartlands and converting potential players. Put simply, NZ 2 doesn't create any new market really. TO the NRLs credit, they are the reason for the increased awareness of our game in NZ. But NZRL are not well organised like the Warriors are, and the real ticket would be the creation of a meaningful national club competition to rival NSW Cup level. That creates more opportunities for players, and a new market for NZ. Unfortunately, NZRL have never managed to get anything up and running in a sustainable way. NRL in Fiji, new market, 4.5 million (I think) people. NZ 2, South Island, 1.2 Million, and the league fans are already engaged with a NRL team.

This idea of a licence is misplaced. It is just a perceived way to bypass the RFL membership application process. It would cost an owner of a new NWC business probably less than 10 grand to get a licence. Also, the RFL doesn't stipulate things like exclusive marketing of development areas, so if you were an investor, willing to develop your business in an area, there is not guarantee that NWC2 would pop up on your doorstep if you had success. I have had an interest in the Crusaders since they came into existence. I often bought jerseys to help support the club (I have about 15 of them), but I do think that, as an investment proposition, there simply isnt the catchment to make it sustainable in even the medium term. I really hope that im wrong, and I would love to see the Crusaders carry on, but in this market, investing on our sport Is a black hole. Apologies if this sounds negative, I do really hope NWC come through this and find a way to grow.

Count yourselves lucky. Currently there is still no legal way to watch SuperLeague In New Zealand. I was happily paying for SuperLeague+ until they turned my gas off when a 'deal' for NZ rights was done with a local broadcaster in Papua New Guinea. Only in Rugby League......

I mean, what other sport in the world would sell the sport to a channel that doesn't exist in a country? I have gone from happily paying a few hundred quid a year to watch games, to essentially being blocked. Whats worse is that we were planning to show games in our club, right in the middle of central Auckland, which would have brought awareness of the games to other league people. kids here have no idea what the SuperLeague is, or even the teams anymore. Crazy stuff.

Wow! So, they took the subscription, and said nothing until I contact them. I just got a reply telling me my subscription has been cancelled. NBC doesn't exist in NZ, so it looks like were going o be blind to SuperLeague this season. How to lose friends and alienate people.....

IM logged in on my laptop. There are no scheduled games available. I have paid my subscription for the year. Im thinking I could be contacting them directly at this point.

I have a subscription to SL+, and renewed again this year. When I look at the schedule, it tells me there's nothing available in my region. Im in New Zealand. I was wondering if anyone else is able to see the schedule, or if they are just slow to load the games up for this year?

Is it just me, or does the placement of all the stickers make the actual club crest secondary? For me, if I didn't know who this was, I would think Hummel was the club.

Auckland

Ryan Bodman : Rugby League in New Zealand is quite an interesting read

Im not sure about that. Arrangements like this, in the short to mid term might actually be good for the game. The spotlight is on SuperLeague. That is to say, anyone outside of Rugby League small supporter base is more likely to have heard of a Wigan than a Whitehaven. The big Clubs seem to be better at developing a surplus of players. The Lower league ones dont have the Money to develop them in the same quality systems. Too much power is one way of looking at it, but there is also an argument that they have traditionally been better ran than other clubs, which allows them to develop proper systems and local, and wider interest. For supporters, if your team is winning, how important it it really if the players aren't from your local amateur clubs? You pay for your ticket, you see your team perform well. I also agree that there is something satisfying in seeing locals performing well, but again, the money to develop quality local players isn't there, whilst big clubs seem to have a surplus. If having these surplus players grows interest in the smaller clubs because they are, 1. Entertaining to watch. 2. Competitive., then more local interest grows. This in turn hopefully creates an opportunity for the smaller clubs to bring more players to our game that can be developed. More interest in the top game, more ticket, merchandise sales. More money to be invested in developing your club, players and otherwise. Id the smaller club isn't paying a fortune for mercenary players, then they are getting the quality they need, with the ability to allocate money back into the club for development. Eventually, the smaller club would outgrow the need for parent club, and be able to recreate this model to another. I think there is a logic to this, but as fans we often get caught up in where the players come from.

I have a bar in the city centre that stied to a league club here. I want to show as many games as possible. The French coverage this year has been great, but its a bit strange that there is little to no Championship available. Id love to see a single channel for Championship games, even with lower quality broadcast than the French teams, id be willing to pay for that.

Are there any Championship games being televised or streamed? Im in New Zealand and have Superleague Plus, but would be keen to watch more Championship games, its just hard to find out when and where they are being shown. Any links would be brilliant, thanks!