Exciting Times in New Zealand

[warriors 95]

12 hours ago, Damien said:

Big American YouTuber Speed, with 33 million followers, at the NZ Warriors from about 2hrs 19 mins. Stuff like this certainly won't be bad for the popularity of the Warriors and the game in NZ:

 

 

Warriors should invite him to vegas as a special guest.

[warriors 95]

11 hours ago, DlEHARD said:

I agree it is a Broncos protectionist attitude. And look what the Dolphins did for the sport, amazingly successful.

I think the 2nd NZ would also be successful in the same fashion. 

For the average viewer, wow the NZ derbies would be riveting television.

It would also help power the Kiwis.

From what I’ve read there seems to have been a huge shift amongst the younger New Zealand schoolboys rugby playing generation from union to league whilst the older generation are still rusted on union followers especially the all blacks.

[philipw]

11 minutes ago, warriors 95 said:

Warriors should invite him to vegas as a special guest.

We definitely shouldn’t. The blokes a clown. 

[warriors 95]

Just now, philipw said:

We definitely shouldn’t. The blokes a clown. 

Maybe to you and me but he’s a very popular and influential “clown.”

[warriors 95]

7 hours ago, Father Gascoigne said:

Not to mention that there's a wee bit of difference when you have two clubs sharing the same city and stadium and another two clubs that would be separated by sea and about a thousand kilometres of land.  

The human being is hardwired to be in opposition to something. The good news is that there is far too much evidence at this point that such division leads to more interest among a larger base of people, rather than the assumption that it would eat into and divide the existing fanbase. 

It's a bigger slamdunk than Perth. 

I’m no fan of the PNG franchise but it looks like it’s going to happen along with Perth which should leave a South Island NZ bid for team #20.

announce all 3 teams staggered over a period of time of say 5-6 years.

[RayCee]

4 hours ago, warriors 95 said:

I’m no fan of the PNG franchise but it looks like it’s going to happen along with Perth which should leave a South Island NZ bid for team #20.

announce all 3 teams staggered over a period of time of say 5-6 years.

Would PNG provide the majority of their players? If so, it would only be Perth and NZ seeking recruits from traditional sources. That would mean the move to 20 sides could be quicker than otherwise the case. 

[warriors 95]

16 minutes ago, RayCee said:

Would PNG provide the majority of their players? If so, it would only be Perth and NZ seeking recruits from traditional sources. That would mean the move to 20 sides could be quicker than otherwise the case. 

I think the majority of the PNG team would be domestic players or players who have come through the hunters pathways system and then went overseas to either super league or other Australian based Queensland cup and NSW cup teams.

incidentally I think we are going to see a big rise in the number of PNG born players signing contracts with super league, championship, Queensland cup and NSW cup sides in the next decade.

[Sports Prophet]

6 hours ago, RayCee said:

Would PNG provide the majority of their players? If so, it would only be Perth and NZ seeking recruits from traditional sources. That would mean the move to 20 sides could be quicker than otherwise the case. 

I doubt PNG will be immediately sourcing many locals in their squad, or if they did, they would soon be recruiting more imports to be competitive.

Perth will be predominantly reliant on imports (non WA) for the next 25 years at least.

NZII I expect will be the only club of the three with a realistic chance of fielding >50% NZ pathway players within the first 5yrs. I actually think they could do it in much less.

[warriors 95]

5 minutes ago, Sports Prophet said:

I doubt PNG will be immediately sourcing many locals in their squad, or if they did, they would soon be recruiting more imports to be competitive.

Perth will be predominantly reliant on imports (non WA) for the next 25 years at least.

NZII I expect will be the only club of the three with a realistic chance of fielding >50% NZ pathway players within the first 5yrs. I actually think they could do it in much less.

I think there’s at least a dozen or so players currently at the hunters and other Queensland cup sides that would make a top 30 NRL roster.

the rest would be made up of other kumuls playing in super league and NRL as well as aussie&kiwi imports.

Edited November 26, 2024 by warriors 95

[warriors 95]

The tax break incentive is going to be key in attracting aussie&kiwi players signing for and living in PNG.

[Sports Prophet]

19 hours ago, warriors 95 said:

I think there’s at least a dozen or so players currently at the hunters and other Queensland cup sides that would make a top 30 NRL roster.

the rest would be made up of other kumuls playing in super league and NRL as well as aussie&kiwi imports.

If there are a dozen PNG players in second tier which could make a 30 man NRL roster, then why are they wallowing in 2nd tier footy?

Edited November 27, 2024 by Sports Prophet

[warriors 95]

Well done roosters and more positive news for RL in New Zealand.

 

https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-sport/star-league/roosters-coming-rolleston-canterbury-college-crowing-over-nrl

Edited November 30, 2024 by warriors 95

[warriors 95]

On 26/11/2024 at 06:47, Sports Prophet said:

If there are a dozen PNG players in second tier which could make a 30 man NRL roster, then why are they wallowing in 2nd tier footy?

That’s a very good question mate as NRL clubs are very hesitant to giving kumuls a chance.

NRL’s lose is super leagues gain.

[Damien]

13 hours ago, warriors 95 said:

That’s a very good question mate as NRL clubs are very hesitant to giving kumuls a chance.

NRL’s lose is super leagues gain.

I'm not sure they are hesitant, if they are good enough they will get a chance. Fact is a lot of PNG players are still Championship, lower SL and Queensland Cup level type players. While there are always exceptions a lot of the elite PNG players aren't really the size NRL clubs are looking for. Sure the players are tough and physical but there are stacks of players that are just as tough and physical but bigger and more skilfull too.

[warriors 95]

46 minutes ago, Damien said:

I'm not sure they are hesitant, if they are good enough they will get a chance. Fact is a lot of PNG players are still Championship, lower SL and Queensland Cup level type players. While there are always exceptions a lot of the elite PNG players aren't really the size NRL clubs are looking for. Sure the players are tough and physical but there are stacks of players that are just as tough and physical but bigger and more skilfull too.

I think it’s a fair point to say that although the kumuls are very tough and physical they are very, very raw which doesn’t help when you compare them to others coming through the Australian pathways system since the age of 6-7 years old.

but the potential is there.

[fighting irish]

On 29/11/2024 at 04:17, warriors 95 said:

Well done roosters and more positive news for RL in New Zealand.

What does this mean? It just seems to have appeared out of the blue, so can you explain the story?

[Father Gascoigne]

On 26/11/2024 at 16:31, Sports Prophet said:

I doubt PNG will be immediately sourcing many locals in their squad, or if they did, they would soon be recruiting more imports to be competitive.

Perth will be predominantly reliant on imports (non WA) for the next 25 years at least.

NZII I expect will be the only club of the three with a realistic chance of fielding >50% NZ pathway players within the first 5yrs. I actually think they could do it in much less.

That's optimistic. I'd go as far as saying until the end of time.

NSW/QLD are ground zero for player development. PNG will never be able to match it. Ditto WA. 

[warriors 95]

5 hours ago, fighting irish said:

What does this mean? It just seems to have appeared out of the blue, so can you explain the story?

Sorry mate I thought I had posted the link.

the roosters are setting up an academy in rolleston college Canterbury South Island.

 

https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-sport/star-league/roosters-coming-rolleston-canterbury-college-crowing-over-nrl

[warriors 95]

4 hours ago, Father Gascoigne said:

That's optimistic. I'd go as far as saying until the end of time.

NSW/QLD are ground zero for player development. PNG will never be able to match it. Ditto WA. 

PNG could dramatically change if the right pathways are put in place.

[Damien]

40 minutes ago, warriors 95 said:

PNG could dramatically change if the right pathways are put in place.

Are the athletes there? I'm sure some are but it's not all about pathways. PNG have been a RL nation for decades, are fanatical about the game, have the Hunters in the Queensland Cup etc. They have pathways in abundance compared to somewhere like Fiji but NRL clubs will take a punt on a 6'2" porter who has never played the game because they have the raw talent, are built like the proverbial brick outhouse and can run 100 metres quick as. I generalise but you get the point.

[warriors 95]

17 hours ago, Damien said:

Are the athletes there? I'm sure some are but it's not all about pathways. PNG have been a RL nation for decades, are fanatical about the game, have the Hunters in the Queensland Cup etc. They have pathways in abundance compared to somewhere like Fiji but NRL clubs will take a punt on a 6'2" porter who has never played the game because they have the raw talent, are built like the proverbial brick outhouse and can run 100 metres quick as. I generalise but you get the point.

The pathways in Fiji are primarily RU ones which sees NRL clubs poaching either schoolboys or u20’s that play 7’s or the 15 aside format while PNG need youth programs and pathways with the hunters playing in Queensland competitions at u17,u19 and u21 levels.

[Exiled Wiganer]

There is no reason why PNG and a second NZ side can’t draw on local talent very quickly indeed. I have no idea about Perth. From the little I know they sound like London. Take good games there and lots of people will watch them, without having deep roots in TGG. 
 

Of course, the NRL knows best when it comes to its own competition. 

Edited December 1, 2024 by Exiled Wiganer

[warriors 95]

37 minutes ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

There is no reason why PNG and a second NZ side can’t draw on local talent very quickly indeed. I have no idea about Perth. From the little I know they sound like London. Take good games there and lots of people will watch them, without having deep roots in TGG. 
 

Of course, the NRL knows best when it comes to its own competition. 

Don’t quote me but I think I’m right in saying that WA has more juniors than Victoria.

[Copa]

I’ve been in NZ for a week now and am impressed with how many NRL jerseys I see around the north island. I’m yet to visit Auckland but I expect to see some there too.

[Damien]

10 hours ago, Copa said:

I’ve been in NZ for a week now and am impressed with how many NRL jerseys I see around the north island. I’m yet to visit Auckland but I expect to see some there too.

One of the gripes I've seen RU fans have is the amount of NRL jerseys youngsters wear in NZ compared to RU. All signs that the next generation is more and more RL focussed.