Exciting Times in New Zealand

[Damien]

57 minutes ago, Tommygilf said:

I get that, but whilst sold out signs are up every week, there must be some money left on the table. I don't know how easy to add 5k or more to Mt Smart would actually be in practical terms, I'm sure that would have to be looked at too.

There's already one end where 5k is added temporarily for concerts etc. There is certainty the space to add a permanent structure with an extra 5,000 seats.

[frank]

Ericson Stadium

1 hour ago, Tommygilf said:

I get that, but whilst sold out signs are up every week, there must be some money left on the table. I don't know how easy to add 5k or more to Mt Smart would actually be in practical terms, I'm sure that would have to be looked at too.

Ericson Stadium is council owned so any additions would be up to them.

[The Rocket]

On 25/07/2024 at 19:25, Tommygilf said:

I wonder at what point the Warriors start looking to take a couple of fixtures to Eden Park to really test the potential.

Despite the denials the purchase of this building including planned Warriors` themed hotel close to Eden Park does make you wonder what their long-term plans are.

Why Warriors opted for site next to Eden Park for themed pub (theaccnz.com)

Edited July 30, 2024 by The Rocket

[frank]

51 minutes ago, The Rocket said:

Despite the denials the purchase of this building including planned Warriors` themed hotel close to Eden Park does make you wonder what their long-term plans are.

Why Warriors opted for site next to Eden Park for themed pub (theaccnz.com)

 

51 minutes ago, The Rocket said:

Despite the denials the purchase of this building including planned Warriors` themed hotel close to Eden Park does make you wonder what their long-term plans are.

Why Warriors opted for site next to Eden Park for themed pub (theaccnz.com)

Most probable reason for this purchase, is because Ericson is located in an industrial area where Eden Park is residential. Also being close to Eden Park they will pick up a lot of trade when events are held there

[unapologetic pedant]

Article on the Christchurch Star site -

"Participation in junior and youth sports in Canterbury has grown over the past few years, with some codes experiencing a boom"

Rugby League

"Participation in the code has seen a huge jump this year - up more than 30 per cent on last year. Just shy of 2400 players under 18 are in action compared to 1800 last year. The number of girls playing has gone up considerably, with 517 playing this year compared to 350 last year - a 48 per cent increase"

2024: 2391 (1873 boys, 517 girls)

2023: 1836 (1486 boys, 350 girls)

2022: 1683 (1353 boys, 330 girls)

Been noticeable in recent years how a number of clubs like Sydenham and Addington, who had been looking moribund, have regenerated via juniors and female participation.

[Damien]

6 hours ago, unapologetic pedant said:

Article on the Christchurch Star site -

"Participation in junior and youth sports in Canterbury has grown over the past few years, with some codes experiencing a boom"

Rugby League

"Participation in the code has seen a huge jump this year - up more than 30 per cent on last year. Just shy of 2400 players under 18 are in action compared to 1800 last year. The number of girls playing has gone up considerably, with 517 playing this year compared to 350 last year - a 48 per cent increase"

2024: 2391 (1873 boys, 517 girls)

2023: 1836 (1486 boys, 350 girls)

2022: 1683 (1353 boys, 330 girls)

Been noticeable in recent years how a number of clubs like Sydenham and Addington, who had been looking moribund, have regenerated via juniors and female participation.

Just imagine the boom if they got a NRL team. Please someone make it happen.

[Jparrish]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-league/rugby-league-kiwis-to-host-australia-tonga-as-pacific-championships-return-for-2024/MMBNMNMQFZFCFOFOAO355AQUFM/

 

NZ to host Australia and Tonga before the final in Sydney.

[Damien]

Today's game and the sold out, passionate crowd just showed the demand for RL in Christchurch. It can only help the chances of any Christchurch NRL bid:

 

[Damien]

It does seem like the NRL don't really want NZ2 from everything I read. Hope I'm wrong:

South Island Kea boss David Moffett has reportedly requested a meeting with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, urgently requesting a sit-down to discuss expectations of the potential franchise.

That is according to The Daily Telegraph, who are reporting the Kea bid believe they will be in the best financial position of any of the eight proposed bids.

Moffet’s outfit were one of three bids to emerge from the South Island of New Zealand, and their proposal reportedly included the NRL’s $20 million license fee and they even planned to appoint Michael Maguire as their head coach.

“We believe we know what is required of the of the NRL and so we’re working on that,” Moffett said to News Corp.

“But what we really need is we need to meet with Andrew Abdo and talk through with Andrew just exactly what they’re looking for.

"To date, we’ve never been given an opportunity to do that. So in order for us to be able to actually put in a meaningful bid that the NRL will find attractive, we need an opportunity to sit down with Andrew and say, look, is this going to fly?

“If it’s not, then we’ll at least know that we’re not going to be able to reach the thresholds that they’re looking for.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-south-island-kea-request-sitdown-with-nrl-chief-executive-nrl-expansion-20th-franchise-rivalry-with-new-zealand-warriors-news-videos-highlights/news-story/82677e4585204e1bcedbf56086c2701f

[DoubleD]

2 hours ago, Damien said:

It does seem like the NRL don't really want NZ2 from everything I read. Hope I'm wrong:

South Island Kea boss David Moffett has reportedly requested a meeting with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, urgently requesting a sit-down to discuss expectations of the potential franchise.

That is according to The Daily Telegraph, who are reporting the Kea bid believe they will be in the best financial position of any of the eight proposed bids.

Moffet’s outfit were one of three bids to emerge from the South Island of New Zealand, and their proposal reportedly included the NRL’s $20 million license fee and they even planned to appoint Michael Maguire as their head coach.

“We believe we know what is required of the of the NRL and so we’re working on that,” Moffett said to News Corp.

“But what we really need is we need to meet with Andrew Abdo and talk through with Andrew just exactly what they’re looking for.

"To date, we’ve never been given an opportunity to do that. So in order for us to be able to actually put in a meaningful bid that the NRL will find attractive, we need an opportunity to sit down with Andrew and say, look, is this going to fly?

“If it’s not, then we’ll at least know that we’re not going to be able to reach the thresholds that they’re looking for.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-south-island-kea-request-sitdown-with-nrl-chief-executive-nrl-expansion-20th-franchise-rivalry-with-new-zealand-warriors-news-videos-highlights/news-story/82677e4585204e1bcedbf56086c2701f

There's multiple competing bids for NZ2...............

New Zealand club led by Sir Graham Lowe makes $360m bid to join NRL competition - NZ Herald

[Damien]

37 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

There's multiple competing bids for NZ2...............

New Zealand club led by Sir Graham Lowe makes $360m bid to join NRL competition - NZ Herald

Yes there's three, which seems crazy in itself.

[The 4 of Us]

Andrew Chalmers !

[DoubleD]

6 minutes ago, The 4 of Us said:

Andrew Chalmers !

Raises alarm bells doesn't it, but some of the other members mentioned in the consortium are reputable

[Worzel]

14 minutes ago, The 4 of Us said:

Andrew Chalmers !

Good grief. Surely anybody doing due diligence with access to the internet would bin a bid he was involved in straight away?

[The 4 of Us]

8 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

Raises alarm bells doesn't it, but some of the other members mentioned in the consortium are reputable

If what is said about Chalmers is accurate then you would need to wonder about their judgement, reputable or not.

[JohnM]

Surely there must be someone on here, or at League Express with direct personal contact with Chalmers over his time at Bradford. I wonder how they rate him.

[Damien]

A nice full page spread on the Warriors and the rise of Rugby League in NZ:

 

[warriors 95]

35 minutes ago, Damien said:

A nice full page spread on the Warriors and the rise of Rugby League in NZ:

 

Rumour is that the warriors owners and backroom staff are against a second NZ NRL team in the same way that the broncos were against a second Brisbane team in that they feel it will water down the product and brand of the warriors when in reality it will considerably strengthen the warriors as well as RL in New Zealand as a whole just like the dolphins have been great for the broncos and RL in Brisbane and south east Queensland.

NZ2 gives the warriors an instant rivalry and derby game as well as giving the game of RL more media attention within New Zealand. It will also drive more youngsters into the grassroots RL program and pathways from RU at a time when domestic RU in New Zealand is having an identity crisis.

[RayCee]

1 hour ago, warriors 95 said:

Rumour is that the warriors owners and backroom staff are against a second NZ NRL team in the same way that the broncos were against a second Brisbane team in that they feel it will water down the product and brand of the warriors when in reality it will considerably strengthen the warriors as well as RL in New Zealand as a whole just like the dolphins have been great for the broncos and RL in Brisbane and south east Queensland.

NZ2 gives the warriors an instant rivalry and derby game as well as giving the game of RL more media attention within New Zealand. It will also drive more youngsters into the grassroots RL program and pathways from RU at a time when domestic RU in New Zealand is having an identity crisis.

It’s shortsighted protectionism which is what one would expect. It won’t harm the Warriors and do so much for the code in NZ which ultimately will help the Warriors.

[warriors 95]

12 minutes ago, RayCee said:

It’s shortsighted protectionism which is what one would expect. It won’t harm the Warriors and do so much for the code in NZ which ultimately will help the Warriors.

Exactly.

straight off the bat the warriors would have 2 all New Zealand north island v South Island derby games which is a marketing dream in terms of geography and New Zealand’s 2 biggest cities squaring off as well as an already existing sporting rivalry between the Auckland and Canterbury regions.

basically for two one week periods all of New Zealand’s sporting eyes would be on RL.

then you’ve got increased media coverage and increased tv viewing ratings as well as sponsorship and junior playing numbers etc.

what’s not to like?

 

[Damien]

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:

 

 

Edited November 25, 2024 by Damien

[DlEHARD]

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.

[Father Gascoigne]

4 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.

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. 

Edited November 25, 2024 by Father Gascoigne

[EggFace]

21 hours ago, warriors 95 said:

Rumour is that the warriors owners and backroom staff are against a second NZ NRL team in the same way that the broncos were against a second Brisbane team in that they feel it will water down the product and brand of the warriors when in reality it will considerably strengthen the warriors as well as RL in New Zealand as a whole just like the dolphins have been great for the broncos and RL in Brisbane and south east Queensland.

NZ2 gives the warriors an instant rivalry and derby game as well as giving the game of RL more media attention within New Zealand. It will also drive more youngsters into the grassroots RL program and pathways from RU at a time when domestic RU in New Zealand is having an identity crisis.

Unlike the Bronco's and Dolphins can't see how it will affect the Warriors having a 2nd team 1,093 KM away....it be healthy for them.

[warriors 95]

34 minutes ago, EggFace said:

Unlike the Bronco's and Dolphins can't see how it will affect the Warriors having a 2nd team 1,093 KM away....it be healthy for them.

I think the warriors these days see themselves as New Zealand’s team rather than an Auckland based team.