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NRL Laying Groundwork For NZ Expansion With New SKY NZ Broadcast Deal.


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In my opinion having a NZ Nationwide semi professional competition again is important and achievable. The Lion Red & Bartercard Cups had many successes that haven't been acknowledged. The competitions created pathways for local Juniors to play Semi professionally and make the NRL, while living in NZ. Like Stacy Jones from Pt Chev to Auckland Vulcans to NRL or Simon Mannering from Nelson college to Wellington Orcas to Warriors NRL side. Coach's like Brian McLennan from Hibiscus coast to Mount Albert to the "Kiwis" National team & John Ackland from Mt Albert to Warriors under 20's & NRL assistant coach. Commentators like Dale Husband & Te Arahi Maipi got from local radio to Maori TV & then to Sky TV. Not to mention the grand Finals of the competitions were usually well supported with a couple thousand in attendance.

with a reported $32 million/year from NZ NRL TV rights. The NZRL and other media, haven't released specific details of the level of reinvestment in the local game, saying things like Sky and NZRL will now become partners, etc. I agree with what people on here have said about helping fund Jr development and competitions in NZ. For years now hundreds if not thousands of kids like Jason Taumalolo, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Benji Marshall etc, have moved to Australia aged 16 or younger to play rugby league. NZ needs to have Schools/institutes/academies where young potential NRL players get quality training/coaching, while still living in NZ. For players who don't make NRL immediately from these NZ based Schools/institutes/academies and the best local club juniors who want to test themselves at a higher level. Having a National semi pro competition for them to play in provides motivation, incentive & competition to continue playing the sport in NZ. 

 

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I have often thought that the entire South Pacific, like that of Europe and even North America should be treated as single regions with sub regions rather than working independently. 

In the case of the South Pacific we have strong Pacific Nations rising beside Australia and NZ. Fiji and PNG are both involved in the "Australian" system now, everything in their local system moving toward the peak in the NRL. NZ has this is a degree in the Warriors but the lower levels are too disconnected. 

It is my opinion that a great deal of ground would be made IF... NZ, PNG, Fiji etc acted more like NSW and QLD do. 

New Zealand may not be able to truly fund a full under 20's competition for example and the exposure, which draws attention of both corporates, fans and media is limited. However, if even a six team under 20's and open age competition was started in NZ to ultimately sit BESIDE the lower levels of RL in Australia then at the end of each year South Pacific wide competition (simply the grandfinalists) could enter a wider championship. 

Under 20's from NZ would face off against the under 20's from NRL/ QLD / NSW clubs (each should actually be affiliated and you can guarantee some clubs like the Storm and Roosters would jump at the chance to have an additional pathway) The same should ultimately be the case atleast with PNG, with an under 20's competition being established and having it's grandfinalists go head to head with the best state wide clubs from NSW and QLD at the end of the season. 

In terms of the South Pacific, competition for the best athletes can be won by Rugby League through this. NZ Warriors under 20's was often quite dominant because the options in Union were more limited.

Even with increased competition from Union in new Pacific Super Rugby teams Rugby League can take the upper hand in time. 

Ps. For me this does then dovetail into the reality that Super League needs to consider a genuine revolution and join the NRL as part of a global Rugby League competition (which would be functionally similar to now but using the profile, prestige and end of year Global Final as the cherry on the cake so to speak. 




 

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