The Australia and New Zealand Rugby League commission.
It’s clear Peter V’landys is an expansionist. As an expansionist myself, I love it! V’landys has been very forthcoming with his ideas about not only expanding the NRL competition, but the overall footprint of Rugby League all over the world. He is being aggressive about it, and looking at all avenues to make that goal a reality.
One area I would love to see get more investment, and more attention from the ARL is just across the ditch. New Zealand may only have a population of a little over 5 million people, but it is one of the very best talent pools in the world for “rugby” talent, and we have seen in the past that when the New Zealand Warriors are doing well, the Kiwis can’t get enough Rugby League.
Even in 2024 as the Warriors struggled, the club sold out more home games than any team in the history of the first grade premiership. That to me sounds like a market hungry for more!
I think the future of Rugby League in this part of the world is to have a combined Australian and New Zealand Rugby League commission.
What Would New Zealand Get Out Of It?
This would give New Zealand representation on the current ARLC board, and free up funding pathways that would allow the new combined commission to start investing in Rugby League in New Zealand, clearing up development pathways, and allowing it to have a better footing to negotiate with governments, sponsors and broadcasters for the betterment of Rugby League in New Zealand.
I also believe the NRL needs at least two more teams based in New Zealand, and when the Under 20’s competition returns, New Zealand should have more than one side representing the entire nation. I don’t think people in Australia realise how much of a lure the Under 20’s competition was to the best, young New Zealand talent.
There are criticisms of the ideas above…
It’s Not A Takeover, Its A Partnership!
The first is that New Zealand would lose its independence in a combined commission.I completely understand those concerns. I do however feel that any negatives would far outweigh the positive results that would come from this in terms of the development money that would flow into New Zealand.
The NZRL would become a sub organisation of the Australian and New Zealand Rugby League commission in a similar way to what we see with the NSWRL and QRL. Under this model however they would have far more money to spend on the game, they would never have to worry about money again.
Also, with New Zealand representation on the new ARL/NZ Commission, now New Zealand Rugby League would at least have a hand on the steering wheel. Right now they basically have to go along with what ever Australia decides to do. They have to react, rather than be vital in the decision making process. That has to be a good thing.
The New Zealand Kiwis would of course be controlled by the NZRL, once again in the same way the NSWRL and QRL have control over respective State Of Origin teams.
The Warriors Struggle, And You Want To Add More Teams?
Then there is the criticism of adding more New Zealand based teams into the NRL when the New Zealand Warriors struggle more than they thrive. I completely understand this criticism.
We know the talent pool is there in New Zealand, so it’s not about talent. Every single team in the NRL, even the Panthers, has relied on New Zealand talent. New Zealanders make of a very large portion of the games elite players. So talent isn’t something I think you ever need to worry about.
I think New Zealand needs extra NRL representation to cover the market demand, to give even more pathways to professional Rugby League to not only Kiwi youngster, but young players from the wider pacific region, and to give some local competition to the Warriors and push them to improve their whole operation.
Right now the Warriors can miss the finals and still sell out game after game. How would the organisation react if it had another team in New Zealand that was making the finals and getting similar crowds? I tend to think that sort of competition would be good for the Warriors.
Would It Be Worth Making Such A Drastic Move?
We have 5 million people who LOVE “rugby” just two hours flight time away, in a perfect time zone for broadcasters. We all know how important New Zealand is to the game, and I just think it would be great to see the game in New Zealand finally having the funding it needs, and the strength of administration it needs, to finally put the accelerator down and power the game in New Zealand forward.
I would love to see a national wide NRL Magic Weekend played in New Zealand, take a whole round over there and be rude about it! Get the whole nation talking about the game, getting ready to go to different NRL games over the weekend, and then you hit them with news that two more expansion clubs of their very own will be added to the competition.
have the best young talent in New Zealand know that if they commit to playing Rugby League, they’re not making do until they hit a cashed up NRL system or have to move to Australia, they can stay at home and know the NZRL now has the funding to make sure they can get everything they need to become a star right there on their own doorstep.
A Difficult Decision For The NZRL
I understand that it would be a difficult decision for the NZRL to go through with something like this. They would be handing over their absolute independence for the promise of major funding. I think it would be the best move for the game in New Zealand, but I also completely understand if people in the New Zealand game were just not comfortable in doing something so drastic.
I just love the thought of the game in New Zealand having the financial muscle it needs be aggressive in growing the sport, attracting the best talent, and turning New Zealand into a powerful Rugby League nation that doesn’t just get dictated to by everyone else in the game.
While New Zealand Rugby League people might hesitate and feel uneasy at such an arrangement, you know who would be absolutely horrified at something like this happening? The other code…
Need any more convincing that it is at least something to have a talk about?
