The Rocket

Pretty incredible that over 2.1m tuned in at some stage.

Have you watched any of the Digicel Cup, decades it won`t, with the money they are investing in pathways now the 15 and 16 year olds they`ll be exposing to NRL junior representative standard training there could well be a flood of quality players coming out of PNG by the end of the decade. After that the only way will be up.

If you`re betting on it, you can be pretty sure you`re watching it and talking about it. New Zealand Rugby has become a bloated and dysfunctional mess - it must change to save itself "What I do know, for example, is that the volume of NRL bets placed with New Zealand’s TAB dwarfs those on rugby. "You might think, so what? But, to me, that’s just one tangible example that NZR is losing the local sports market."

$6m/annum alone from the WA Gov`t invested in pathways is a great start. And the promise to invest in formal school Touch, Tag and Tackle competitions augurs well for a rapid expansion in junior numbers.

‘Big ambitions’: Meet the man touted to lead the Perth Bears ‘Big ambitions’: Meet the man touted to lead the Perth Bears Prominent Western Australian Peter Tinley says he is flattered to be mentioned as a candidate to become the inaugural Perth Bears chairman and says he will do everything possible to ensure rugby league is a success in the state if offered the role. After a distinguished career serving in the Australian army SAS Commander turned his attention to politics, was appointed to cabinet in 2017 and served as a Minister from 2017 to 2021 in a range of portfolios. The 62-year-old, who recently retired from politics, has been one of the driving forces behind the scenes in ensuring a Perth-based side returned to the NRL. “Peter Tinley is a candidate, absolutely,” ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said on Thursday when asked about the Bears chairmanship. Pressed on whether he would be interested in the challenge, the former Labor MP said: “My entire life has been in service, both in uniform and in parliament in a different uniform. “I see this as a service to Western Australia that I would be very keen to take on if I was ever asked.” “I have absolutely no question that Perth, Western Australia, is ready to join the NRL competition,” Tinley said. “We have a state that is jumping out of its skin, is in rude health economically and thirsty for action. “I’d remind people that 30 years ago, when the Western Reds were running around, that we had 1.1 million people in Perth, 20 000 members and 15,000 players. We now have three million people in Western Australia. “If I was ever involved, I’d have big ambitions about what we could do this time.” I like the cut of his jib.

Part of the Rugby League DNA now. "The WA Government will also work with the Club and ARLC to grow junior participation in the game, including expanding formal touch, tag and tackle rugby league programs in Western Australia’s public schools." This is how to introduce and grow the game.

True would have been nice to have a name associated with WA but it appears that most League fans in WA are quite happy to have the name if it means having a team. I`m gonna wear my tattered Bears jersey to work tomorrow purchased in the early 90`s. It`s a beauty, heavy cotton, three quarter sleeves, that tiny collar and rubbery buttons that jersey`s used to have. Nb. I only ever bought it because they didn`t have a Magpies` one. But hey who cares, this is a day of celebration for all Rugby League fans.

Yeah it`s definitely Perth Bears.

Very pleasing it seems that the $200m upgrade of HBF Park seems to be unofficially part of the deal. Cook has been clever in not including this as part of the `official` deal to prevent the usual trouble makers crying foul about too much money being spent on the rival code. $85m is a big whack of money, $285m huge, will go a long way to V`landys desire of seeing 70% of game-day revenue being achievable through corporates and make the place a better ground to attract fans in general. Newcastle (NSW) born Cook has stated previously he wants this to be Perth`s equivalent of Commbank.

Wait until they see Thursdays The Australian, full front page "Welcome the Perth Bears" spread apparently.

Apparently Thursday is the big day when the announcement will be made.

Why can’t we be friends? Twiggy sees opportunities for Force and Perth Bears "In Perth, the creation of the Bears could even be an existential threat for the Force, who’ve had the city to themselves as a rugby code since 2006. The Force, who are averaging around 7000 fans to home games this year, have a supporter base comprising a mix of locals and New Zealand, English and South African expats. "The Force are viewing it in a different way, however. They believe the Bears’ arrival can provide an opportunity to work together, so both codes can thrive in the state." 7000 after 20 years. Dream on.

To be perfectly frank, I don`t think billionaires think in the terms of spare change, that`s how they get to be billionaires, if Politis is thinking about this and has talked to the commission, he is taking it seriously.

Roosters' Super League plan revealed The Sydney Roosters could be set to purchase the Salford Red Devils and rebrand them.