NRL expansion (Merged Threads)

[Sports Prophet]

It’s great to hear about these training camps the NRL clubs are running and how well they appear to be managed.

I have often thought there is a great nursery of talent which could be RL’ised in South Africa. The sheer economic weight and loop in a currency advantage is a huge advantage RL has to swoop in similarly engage South African youth. It isn’t as easy mind you to relocate to Australia as it is for NZ nationals.

As to NZ, I think the missing piece of the puzzle is a national second tier feeder league to capture the players that don’t make it first time round and give them a pathway to remain as participant, supporter and ambassador, if not, a late blooming professional of RL.

Edited May 24 by Sports Prophet

[John bird]

PNG set to be announced.

 

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-papua-new-guinea-png-expansion-600-million-australia-government-20240529-p5jhka.html

[John bird]

On 24/05/2024 at 22:40, Sports Prophet said:

It’s great to hear about these training camps the NRL clubs are running and how well they appear to be managed.

I have often thought there is a great nursery of talent which could be RL’ised in South Africa. The sheer economic weight and loop in a currency advantage is a huge advantage RL has to swoop in similarly engage South African youth. It isn’t as easy mind you to relocate to Australia as it is for NZ nationals.

As to NZ, I think the missing piece of the puzzle is a national second tier feeder league to capture the players that don’t make it first time round and give them a pathway to remain as participant, supporter and ambassador, if not, a late blooming professional of RL.

I think there was a short period around 10-15 years ago when a few NRL clubs signed a couple of South African u20’s but for whatever reasons it didn’t work out.

as for a national 2nd tier competition for NZ this has already been tried twice with the lion red cup and batter card cup and both were pulled for financial reasons. The best solution for New Zealand would be the introduction of a 2nd NZ NRL team along with its own NSW cup reserve team and a jersey flegg(u21’s) team.

[Sports Prophet]

5 hours ago, John bird said:

…

as for a national 2nd tier competition for NZ this has already been tried twice with the lion red cup and batter card cup and both were pulled for financial reasons. The best solution for New Zealand would be the introduction of a 2nd NZ NRL team along with its own NSW cup reserve team and a jersey flegg(u21’s) team.

I don’t necessarily think either Barter Card Cup or Lion Red Cup were blessed with timing or suitable NRL assistance. Yes, in the short term I agree two NRL teams belong in the juniors as well.

Long term, a successful second tier in NZ is the best option.

[John bird]

According to this article there is to be a bidding process for team #18 after the next ARL commission meeting June 26.

 

https://www.northweststar.com.au/story/8660682/nrl-insists-competitiveness-part-of-png-criteria/

 

I was under the impression that there wouldn’t be a bidding process for team #18 as PNG were dead certs.

[Damien]

I still think NZ2 and Perth should get the next two slots. If PNG are serious they can look to continue to improve their domestic competition, player pool and pathways with a view of joining down the line.

There is no better time for NZ2 and Perth and we should strike why the iron is hot.

Edited June 12 by Damien

[John bird]

2 minutes ago, Damien said:

I still think NZ2 and Perth should get the next two slots. If PNG are serious they can look to continue to improve their domestic competition, play pool and pathways with a view of joining down the line.

There is no better time for NZ2 and Perth and we should strike why the iron is hot.

I could easily live with this scenario.

all 3 bids joining the NRL over a 5 year period.

[DEANO]

Meanwhile our greedy super league sticks at 12

[John bird]

Interesting development.

 

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-expansion-perth-bid-joining-forces-with-north-sydney-bears-or-newtown-jets-what-year-will-expansion-happen-png-new-zealand/news-story/7ba3eb401f24806609ebc0f198aa137e

 

can’t say I’m a fan of either clubs or joint ventures for that matter.

Edited June 13 by John bird

[Anita Bath]

Shame their is no talk of Adelaide which alongside a free standing Perth team would help put the N in NRL.

[İzmir Rugby League]

On 14/05/2024 at 01:09, NRLandSL said:

Not just Geopolitical options. They have the biggest rugby league player base and fan base in the world. It’s incredibly deserved.

I am not sure this is true actually. They have a huge supporter base but a lack of junior Rugby League. Until a year or two ago they had no schools Rugby League. 

[NRLandSL]

30 minutes ago, İzmir Rugby League said:

I am not sure this is true actually. They have a huge supporter base but a lack of junior Rugby League. Until a year or two ago they had no schools Rugby League. 

Yeah not in registered competitions but if we’re counting kids playing amongst each other they would have the highest easily. Just have to get those kids playing in teams and comps.

[Coggo]

The smart money on the 18th, 19th and 20th clubs seems to be on PNG, Perth Bears and South New Zealand.

[EggFace]

12 hours ago, John bird said:

I could easily live with this scenario.

all 3 bids joining the NRL over a 5 year period.

I would love to see NZ 3 in the future at West Pac.

[JM2010]

2 hours ago, Coggo said:

The smart money on the 18th, 19th and 20th clubs seems to be on PNG, Perth Bears and South New Zealand.

Think that would give a good spread of teams and open up new player and spectator markets 

[John bird]

4 hours ago, EggFace said:

I would love to see NZ 3 in the future at West Pac.

Let’s get NZ2 over the line first

[John bird]

7 hours ago, Anita Bath said:

Shame there is no talk of Adelaide which alongside a free standing Perth team would help put the N in NRL.

To few places available and far better options for the NRL.

[John bird]

5 hours ago, Coggo said:

The smart money on the 18th, 19th and 20th clubs seems to be on PNG, Perth Bears and South New Zealand.

I agree but in what order seems to have people playing the guessing game.

[John bird]

3 hours ago, JM2010 said:

Think that would give a good spread of teams and open up new player and spectator markets 

I personally think PNG is a wasted franchise place and will ultimately fail but then again I’m not in the know and don’t run the game.

[JM2010]

40 minutes ago, John bird said:

I personally think PNG is a wasted franchise place and will ultimately fail but then again I’m not in the know and don’t run the game.

I’d be happy with PNG as long as Perth and NZ don’t get overlooked 

[John bird]

1 hour ago, JM2010 said:

I’d be happy with PNG as long as Perth and NZ don’t get overlooked 

The growing consensus if all the recent articles are to be believed is that PNG won’t be ready in time for 2026/2027 and will probably be pushed back as team #19 or even #20.

[JM2010]

8 minutes ago, John bird said:

The growing consensus if all the recent articles are to be believed is that PNG won’t be ready in time for 2026/2027 and will probably be pushed back as team #19 or even #20.

For me it has to be NZ 2 next. Strike while the iron is hot 

[John bird]

Just now, JM2010 said:

For me it has to be NZ 2 next. Strike while the iron is hot 

100%

it’s the perfect storm with the warriors riding higher than ever before and not just in Auckland but nationwide in Union stronghold areas like Christchurch, wellington and Hamilton etc and RU in New Zealand currently on a downward trajectory especially in the South Island.

[Damien]

Odd from the Bears when the actual article reads like Perth are very reluctant:

 

[John bird]

5 minutes ago, Damien said:

Odd from the Bears when the actual article reads like Perth are very reluctant:

 

My eyesight isn’t the best these days. What does it say?