The NRL needs three (3) New Zealand teams in the NRL in order to grow the game. Wellington probably needs to be next because it already has an organized bid. However at some point in the not too distant future Christchurch needs to be added, to represent the South Island, with most of its home games in Christchurch and perhaps 25% in warm and sunny Dunedin. But that would have to be in 2023, to give Wellington time to establish itself, and to give Christchurch time to recover and rebuild from the earthquake.

Other people have organised bids.



I'm not sure if NZ will get a look in this time round.



NRL sides constantly recruit kids from NZ as it is.

All true......and very no comital

A second team in New Zealand is a no brainer, just look at the amount of players they produce.



I think the NRL should either expand to 18 with new teams in NZ, Central Coast and WA, dropping Cronulla down to the NSW cup.



Or expand to 20 with new teams in NZ, Central Coast , WA and 2 out of Cronulla/PNG/2nd Brisbane club.

That is a no goer. Cronulla will not be dropped, because it is licensed and viable. The Central Coast will not be added because it competes with Newcastle and Manly for sponsors. If the NRL expands to 18 it will be Perth and Brisbane. If it is expanded to 20 then Wellington has a very good chance, along with, perhaps, PNG.

I say yes, RL has never been stronger in NZ IMO, time to take it to the next level. It could be huge.

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Problem is Wellington is probably not going to be able to sustain a team crowd wise or financially. And it probably also adds little to the TV deal (might boost the NZ sky deal a little but not much) it does not benefit the NRL bottom line. I'd love to see a Wellington team admitted but the lack of suitable stadium, population and value means it is unlikely anytime soon.

So that's your view from 12,000 miles away.

I think it could be a very big thing for the game, if they really plough into NZ.



Union in NZ is massive, there's no denying, but its Apparently taking a licking in Australia. If we can build on progress and make some inroads into NZ too, then its possibly the greatest move league can make in the international competition between the two codes.

SA is untouchable for League, but making inroads into NZ is a real possibility.

lol



Union in Australia is taking money from every lower level of the game to prop up the five pro clubs, and even then those mere five teams are barely hanging on.



Union in NZ is huge though, for a country that would only be the fourth biggest state in Australia... The Auckland Nines has already overtaken the Wellington Sevens and the Warriors are going from strength to strength.



Every year the NRL alone earns multiple times what the three SANZAR nations make. There are all sorts of issues with the Island nations and the IRB too, Union in the Pacific is absolutely screwed.

Interesting assessment there and not far wrong.

wellington 7s are dead........killed off by the fun police who want limits set on the amount of booze available. It was never about the rugby but instead about the fancy dress party and fancy dress doesnt work sober.

the pacific islands are rightly demanding more money and control and are getting it, so whilst they are making noises, union is still the #1 sport in fiji, samoa and tonga.

The warriors have stagnated at mt smart and it has been their on the road games that have helped their balance sheets in recent years.....if we dont get nz2 then the warriors need more games around the country.

as for australia, the irb will continue to prop them up, because they need them, but you forget they do attract fans to internationals....200,000 at home this year and then theres the match fees for the end of year tours.

The size of the nrl tv deal is meaningless in terms of the region unless some of it is spent o expansion. The 2014 samoan rl side is not expansion........it will only be expansion when they have a domestic comp feeding players to the national side