NRL NRL Expansion

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Hard disagree with that.

Warriors couldn’t even get elite players to move to NZ for a 300k pay rise.

These aren’t random tradies going off to work in the mines. These are league players who live a pretty well off lifestyle already.

If tax exemption is the only incentive I guarantee they don’t finish higher than the spoon in their first 8 years.

Ok, fair enough. I don’t deny it’ll be tougher for them.

For the record, I agree they would really struggle to Elite talent. As I posted, anyone who can get 850k+ ain’t going there.

Your NZ comment, were many of those individuals ever actually really coming? Or were the Warriors being used in negotiations with the club they actually wanted to go? Yes that’s going to happen to PNG too.

If I were PNG, I’d target solid journey man. And young men 21-24 desperate for and opportunity.

Side note; NRL players don’t get paid that much to turn their noses up to an easy payday. Especially when careers are what? 10-15 years if you’re lucky. Less than half make it that far.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Should we worry about the PNG Mafia? probably not when set alongside the Oligarchs in Russia, the American Mafia, the undercover Jamaican Sprint team dopers...PNG cheats will still fall below the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storms of the organized crime syndicates match fixing in the NRL.

Lets be brutally frank and honest here, no underhanded PNG outfit could have anywhere near the match fixing influence of the Australian Bunker system.

Ohh you think the native PNG groups call the shots there? That's cute, but some guys out of Macau might disagree. Then you have some more guys over in Beijing that also wanna play.

 

[Five&Last]

Ok, fair enough. I don’t deny it’ll be tougher for them.

For the record, I agree they would really struggle to Elite talent. As I posted, anyone who can get 850k+ ain’t going there.

Your NZ comment, were many of those individuals ever actually really coming? Or were the Warriors being used in negotiations with the club they actually wanted to go? Yes that’s going to happen to PNG too.

If I were PNG, I’d target solid journey man. And young men 21-24 desperate for and opportunity.

Side note; NRL players don’t get paid that much to turn their noses up to an easy payday. Especially when careers are what? 10-15 years if you’re lucky. Less than half make it that far.

There’s countless examples of players rejecting the Warriors for way less money because they don’t want to move to NZ. I remember Jahrome Hughes rejected a 200-300k payrise and he’s even from this country originally.

You will get the guys that are looking for an opportunity (i.e. Ford, Egan etc) that will do that for NZ but 300k more to move to a country with high crime rate and no social presence is laughable. You won’t even get mid-tier players batting an eye lid at that.

Players want to earn well while they’re still playing but they also want to enjoy their 20’s. And then once they settle down/start a family etc there’s even less chance of that happening

 

[Worried2Death]

I think this is much bigger than you realise.

This about national security and the five eyes. It is about the battle with China for the Pacific and stopping the Chinese Empire from expanding its borders into territory that the United States considers its waters.

NZ and Australia are Vasal states of the U.S. I know you know this, but framing it in terms of Empire is how folk should understand why PNG are able to ask the Australian Govt for an NRL team, rather than ask the NRL for the umpteenth time to consider a bid after multiple failed requests to the NRL for this deal which magically now is being done at high speed backed by the Country Australia, and not the piss ant little sporting organization the National Rugby League.

This is bigger than any concern or hurdle you could dream up.

Salary cap you say? Well the Govt of Australia has just offered its first small beads for blankets funding in the first round starting north of half a billion dollars to give PNG an NRL team, and the Australian Govt has recruited NRL head quarters to ensure they understand their patriotic duty here. There is no way that an arbitrary minor detail like a sporting competitions salary cap is going to stand in the way of the joint collusion between the might of Canberra and a small organisation like the NRL that has quirky little rules like Salary caps.

This is a round one of negotiations, their lowest offer. PNG if they were smart and not so desperate should counter with a request for one billion minimum over ten years on this deal. And even then one billion over ten years is chicken feed compared to what Australia would pay to not have China camped a short boat ride north of her border.

Any little quibble you could dream of, like security issues, or NRL clubs complaining about Salary caps are so small in the theater that is being played out in as to make them a nonsense.

Mate the PNG Army would kill to be deployed around an NRL compound and provide armed escorts for players and players families alike, hell they would be fighting over rostered duties to provide protection for NRL staff.

Rugby league is a religion there like no other country in the world, which is why...they are prepared to turn down hundreds of Billions of Chinese Yuan
for a paltry six hundred million Australian dollars.

As Fonzie stated in the opener to his pod, this is a very unique situation with variables that the average NRL fan has no idea about.

And as he kept saying through the pod, any objection you might dream up means nothing.

Mate...if the salary cap and moaning Australian clubs made an issue, this deal is so important that the Australian Govt would help find ways to make the cap concerns irrelevant.

The NRL already grants the Roosters a cap less system because they have real estate billion dollar Tycoon behind them, and the Rooster aren't even defending Australian interests in the south Pacific.

Nick Politis and his Sombrero Cap is backed by 2.4 billion. That is how cheaply the NRL are bought off to turn a blind eye.

PNG is worth a twenty times that annually, that is in US dollars, not Nick Politis Australian Pesos.

Translation, at present the NRLs biggest private franchise backer is worth twenty times less than a PNG Govt NRL backed consortium's annual turn over, we are therefore talking about a Backer of an NRL franchise that deals in trillions making it a monster greater in economic terms than the entire competition.


I just wish I was fly on the wall when the first NRL CEO complains and then gets a summons from the Australian Govt to come to Canberra and meet with the cabinet and the security and intelligence services, I can't wait till that prick gets told it is his patriotic duty to STFU.

Do you honestly think that an NRL club objecting to PNGs special treatment is a problem for a Govt that is fighting China publicly? (China has declared Australia as an enemy in the media and threatened them recently).

Salary cap issues and Players not wanting to go to PNG are potatoes so tiny you can't even call them small potatoes in the scale of this move.

We are watching history in the making, this is the Pacifics equivalent in cold war terms of the Berlin wall mate. Same dynamic, super power builds belts and braces across the Pacific to surround Australia, now trying to build a wall right next to Australian territory.

Wake up people. This is happening. PNG will be a proxy Australian Govt sponsored super franchise with an open cheque book and in relative
NRL terms unlimited resources to succeed.

More importantly, PNG will bring eleven million fanatical supporters to the NRL in one foul swoop.

Nothing short of China collapsing is going to stop this train.

Hope we bear all that in mind every time PNG beat the Warriors or knock us out of the top 8. Can't tell if I'm watching a sport an Intel operation now. Despite that, it's all entertainment and everything's corrupt anyway, so what's the difference.

Welcome to the comp PNG, their home games will be interesting viewing, different flavour of experience to the average Aussie stadiums.

 

[Makasene]

So I'm trying to understand this further.

The $600m does not guarantee them an NRL team. (Or should I say, "all but guarantees...")

Rather, it is to be put toward infrastructure (new stadium) and pathways which will form part of their application. The inference being that should they be able to demonstrate they have met these pre-agreed standards, they will be awarded the 18th license.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

There’s countless examples of players rejecting the Warriors for way less money because they don’t want to move to NZ. I remember Jahrome Hughes rejected a 200-300k payrise and he’s even from this country originally.

You will get the guys that are looking for an opportunity (i.e. Ford, Egan etc) that will do that for NZ but 300k more to move to a country with high crime rate and no social presence is laughable. You won’t even get mid-tier players batting an eye lid at that.

Players want to earn well while they’re still playing but they also want to enjoy their 20’s. And then once they settle down/start a family etc there’s even less chance of that happening

Brother, you talk as if these guys are like multimillionaires or something…….
They’re not……… They’re doing ok sure (for now).
But there’s loads of ex league and union players around with nothing to show for it…..

There’s also plenty of examples of players coming to NZ as well.

As I stated in my previous 2 posts, elite individuals like Jahrome Hughes are never going there. (In regards to him coming here, he’s on like 900k at Melbourne, and his family are in Australia. What’s really pulling him here. Plus Melbourne are a strong club, obviously.) People like him have options.

Again, assuming they’re going to be given tax breaks.
To suggest no one on around the 450-600k range(mid-tier players) wouldn’t take a 300k pay rise AAANNNDDD you don’t have to pay taxes on it………
Some 24 year old who had Nathan Cleary or Joey Manu in front of him, doesn’t think to himself, this is it……..(and get paid quite well also). I’ll sign with PNG for 2-3 years get my opportunity, I’ll sign 2 years near the end of my career set myself up. Whatever…..
That’s laughable…….

It’s not like they’re going to be actually living there. They’ll be based there sure, at some sort of resort or whatever. It’s not like they’re gonna be roaming the streets. At least you think they wouldn’t.

How many people would walk around the rough parts of Auckland at night? Seriously.
You been to London? Parts of it are a fucking jungle.
You been to Los Angeles? There are literally communities of homeless people everywhere, living under bridges, on sidewalks. Harassing people.
My wife was almost raped in broad daylight on the Paris metro, people literally turned their backs she said, luckily her friend was waiting at the next stop. (We weren’t together then).

To be clear, no financial incentives. They’re not going anywhere.

 

[Brightman]

So I'm trying to understand this further.

The $600m does not guarantee them an NRL team. (Or should I say, "all but guarantees...")

Rather, it is to be put toward infrastructure (new stadium) and pathways which will form part of their application. The inference being that should they be able to demonstrate they have met these pre-agreed standards, they will be awarded the 18th license.

Wouldn't it be ironic if a Chinese construction company built the stadium and associated infrastructure only to have the NRL franchise bid fail..

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Wouldn't it be ironic if a Chinese construction company built the stadium and associated infrastructure only to have the NRL franchise bid fail..

Massive massive chances of this happening.

 

[Brightman]

Massive massive chances of this happening.

Absolutely, though I imagine the Australian government will have conditions but that is why the NRL can't stop China and a sports endeavor based on geopolitics is fated to fall over.
Instantly, the Chinese can build whatever is needed at less expense and quicker if they wish. The Ukrainian politicians and military officers would be giggling with glee at the prospect of these contracts, similar will be true in PNG..

 

[Shogun]

I want the Tigers and Magpies to split and with Leichhardt's uncertain future, if it's not saved the Tigers should move out of Sydney. But I think the only place they could go is Gosford. Central Coast Tigers sounds good to me.

And it's more of an expansion than Redcliffe. It's a lot further away from Sydney than Redcliffe is from Brisbane.

 

[jonesy101]

I want the Tigers and Magpies to split and with Leichhardt's uncertain future, if it's not saved the Tigers should move out of Sydney. But I think the only place they could go is Gosford. Central Coast Tigers sounds good to me.

And it's more of an expansion than Redcliffe. It's a lot further away from Sydney than Redcliffe is from Brisbane.

Leichhardt is getting a $50m upgrade so if Richardson still decides to move them out of there the pitchforks will be out.

 

[Shogun]

Leichhardt is getting a $50m upgrade so if Richardson still decides to move them out of there the pitchforks will be out.

Council to vote on $10 million to save Leichhardt Oval​

Thursday 30 May 2024

Media release
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has today convened an extraordinary meeting of Council to vote on allocating $10 million of Council funds to save Leichhardt Oval.

The meeting, to be held next Tuesday 4 June, will consider a proposal from the Mayor to commit these funds to renovating the famous ground as well as $40 million to the renovation of Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, located next door to the Oval.

The combined $50 million investment will support a Leichhardt Park Sport and Recreation Precinct, providing modern swimming, rehabilitation and gymnasium facilities for sporting teams using Leichhardt Oval for training and games.

“It’s now or never for Leichhardt Oval and it’s time for Council to make a significant new financial commitment to saving the Eighth Wonder of the World,” Byrne said.

“$10 million in new investment to upgrade Leichhardt Oval can fund important parts of the Masterplan including female friendly change rooms, which is our highest priority.

“At the same time, we can also invest $40 million into the renovation of Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre.

“The Olympic Pool has come to the end of its lifecycle and needs to be replaced and we will deliver a new 25-metre pool which will be useable for a range of sports as well as rehabilitation and recovery.

“We have been carefully planning the upgrade of the Aquatic Centre, which is used by hundreds of thousands of people each year. This is a core local government responsibility.

“Together this $50 million investment will help create a Leichhardt Park Sport and Recreation Precinct that can be used by the whole community as well as a wide variety of sporting teams for many years to come.”

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Council to vote on $10 million to save Leichhardt Oval​

Thursday 30 May 2024

Media release
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has today convened an extraordinary meeting of Council to vote on allocating $10 million of Council funds to save Leichhardt Oval.

The meeting, to be held next Tuesday 4 June, will consider a proposal from the Mayor to commit these funds to renovating the famous ground as well as $40 million to the renovation of Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, located next door to the Oval.

The combined $50 million investment will support a Leichhardt Park Sport and Recreation Precinct, providing modern swimming, rehabilitation and gymnasium facilities for sporting teams using Leichhardt Oval for training and games.

“It’s now or never for Leichhardt Oval and it’s time for Council to make a significant new financial commitment to saving the Eighth Wonder of the World,” Byrne said.

“$10 million in new investment to upgrade Leichhardt Oval can fund important parts of the Masterplan including female friendly change rooms, which is our highest priority.

“At the same time, we can also invest $40 million into the renovation of Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre.

“The Olympic Pool has come to the end of its lifecycle and needs to be replaced and we will deliver a new 25-metre pool which will be useable for a range of sports as well as rehabilitation and recovery.

“We have been carefully planning the upgrade of the Aquatic Centre, which is used by hundreds of thousands of people each year. This is a core local government responsibility.

“Together this $50 million investment will help create a Leichhardt Park Sport and Recreation Precinct that can be used by the whole community as well as a wide variety of sporting teams for many years to come.”

Seems like a no brainer. Councils waste $50m on consultants just to ignore their advice. At least the community gets something with this.

How much are private businesses coughing up though.

 

[Shogun]

Seems like a no brainer. Councils waste $50m on consultants just to ignore their advice. At least the community gets something with this.

How much are private businesses coughing up though.

If you look at the location on google maps there's plenty of space for a smallish stadium and an aquatic centre.

 

[Ozwarrior]

South Island Kea launch bid for NRL, take aim at Warriors | Daily Telegraph​

New Zealand’s expansion bid has ignited a rivalry with the Warriors by launching a provocative advertising campaign in which they declare that the south island is the new home of rugby league.
Bid boss David Moffett has also taken aim at his Warriors counterpart Cameron George, labelling him short sighted for comments in this masthead that there is not enough room in New Zealand for a second side.

The Christchurch-based South Island Kea are forging ahead with plans to be part of an expanded NRL competition.

While PNG’s inclusion as the 18th team is now seemingly a mere formality, the South Island bid wants to position themselves to be part of the NRL’s path to 20 teams.

The South Island Kea bid team have released a video. Pitch: Supplied
Their pitch – which is being led by ex-NRL boss Moffett – has fired a direct shot at the Warriors.

Moffett has taken exception to comments Warriors boss Cameron George made to this masthead where he said “you would not survive with a second New Zealand team right now”.

“His assertion that there isn’t enough space for a second NRL team in New Zealand is both short-sighted and dismissive of the evident passion for rugby league that thrives throughout the South Island,” Moffett said.

“The South Island Kea bid is not a challenge to the Warriors but a complementary force that can elevate the sport across New Zealand.

“It’s vital to recognise that the success of rugby league in New Zealand depends on its growth and evolution.

“The South Island Kea bid embodies the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and community that is necessary for this growth.

“Rather than seeing our bid as a threat, the Auckland Warriors should consider the broader benefits it brings to the sport and the country.

The South Island Kea bid team have released a video. Picture: Supplied
“The South Island Kea have a simple message for George; we’re coming to get you and we will put a stop to Warriors warehousing young players and weakening our local club competition.

“You can continue to call yourselves the New Zealand Warriors, but you will no longer represent the whole of NZ when The Kea enter the NRL.”

The 80 second advertisement showcases the south islands landscape from beaches to mountains and labelled the region as “the new home of rugby league in New Zealand”.

They also forecast the potential of a derby with the Warriors by declaring a “new rivalry like no other” before showing a Warrior and Kea going head to head.

David Moffett at NRL headquarters during his CEO stint.
The NRL is expected to announce plans to add PNG as the 18th team, potentially in July. There is every chance that they will also detail a road map to 20 teams, having declared over Magic Round that they were now open to holding talks with potential bid teams.

A Perth bid in partnership with North Sydney is the early favourite to be awarded one of the two licenses while the south island of NZ and Brisbane Easts appear to be locked in a battle for the final spot.

Brisbane Easts – who would be called the Firehawks – are well placed given they have former Brisbane Broncos chief executive Shane Edwards at the helm and went close to securing a licence when the Dolphins won entry as the 17th team.

Moffett has enlisted former Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos to help lobby the NRL given he is based in Sydney and has a previous relationship with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.

 

[Lord Gnome of Waiheke]

South Island Kea launch bid for NRL, take aim at Warriors | Daily Telegraph​

New Zealand’s expansion bid has ignited a rivalry with the Warriors by launching a provocative advertising campaign in which they declare that the south island is the new home of rugby league.
Bid boss David Moffett has also taken aim at his Warriors counterpart Cameron George, labelling him short sighted for comments in this masthead that there is not enough room in New Zealand for a second side.

The Christchurch-based South Island Kea are forging ahead with plans to be part of an expanded NRL competition.

While PNG’s inclusion as the 18th team is now seemingly a mere formality, the South Island bid wants to position themselves to be part of the NRL’s path to 20 teams.

The South Island Kea bid team have released a video. Pitch: Supplied
Their pitch – which is being led by ex-NRL boss Moffett – has fired a direct shot at the Warriors.

Moffett has taken exception to comments Warriors boss Cameron George made to this masthead where he said “you would not survive with a second New Zealand team right now”.

“His assertion that there isn’t enough space for a second NRL team in New Zealand is both short-sighted and dismissive of the evident passion for rugby league that thrives throughout the South Island,” Moffett said.

“The South Island Kea bid is not a challenge to the Warriors but a complementary force that can elevate the sport across New Zealand.

“It’s vital to recognise that the success of rugby league in New Zealand depends on its growth and evolution.

“The South Island Kea bid embodies the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and community that is necessary for this growth.

“Rather than seeing our bid as a threat, the Auckland Warriors should consider the broader benefits it brings to the sport and the country.

The South Island Kea bid team have released a video. Picture: Supplied
“The South Island Kea have a simple message for George; we’re coming to get you and we will put a stop to Warriors warehousing young players and weakening our local club competition.

“You can continue to call yourselves the New Zealand Warriors, but you will no longer represent the whole of NZ when The Kea enter the NRL.”

The 80 second advertisement showcases the south islands landscape from beaches to mountains and labelled the region as “the new home of rugby league in New Zealand”.

They also forecast the potential of a derby with the Warriors by declaring a “new rivalry like no other” before showing a Warrior and Kea going head to head.

David Moffett at NRL headquarters during his CEO stint.
The NRL is expected to announce plans to add PNG as the 18th team, potentially in July. There is every chance that they will also detail a road map to 20 teams, having declared over Magic Round that they were now open to holding talks with potential bid teams.

A Perth bid in partnership with North Sydney is the early favourite to be awarded one of the two licenses while the south island of NZ and Brisbane Easts appear to be locked in a battle for the final spot.

Brisbane Easts – who would be called the Firehawks – are well placed given they have former Brisbane Broncos chief executive Shane Edwards at the helm and went close to securing a licence when the Dolphins won entry as the 17th team.

Moffett has enlisted former Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos to help lobby the NRL given he is based in Sydney and has a previous relationship with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.

So no games in Welly then?

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

South Island Kea launch bid for NRL, take aim at Warriors | Daily Telegraph​

New Zealand’s expansion bid has ignited a rivalry with the Warriors by launching a provocative advertising campaign in which they declare that the south island is the new home of rugby league.
Bid boss David Moffett has also taken aim at his Warriors counterpart Cameron George, labelling him short sighted for comments in this masthead that there is not enough room in New Zealand for a second side.

The Christchurch-based South Island Kea are forging ahead with plans to be part of an expanded NRL competition.

While PNG’s inclusion as the 18th team is now seemingly a mere formality, the South Island bid wants to position themselves to be part of the NRL’s path to 20 teams.

The South Island Kea bid team have released a video. Pitch: Supplied
Their pitch – which is being led by ex-NRL boss Moffett – has fired a direct shot at the Warriors.

Moffett has taken exception to comments Warriors boss Cameron George made to this masthead where he said “you would not survive with a second New Zealand team right now”.

“His assertion that there isn’t enough space for a second NRL team in New Zealand is both short-sighted and dismissive of the evident passion for rugby league that thrives throughout the South Island,” Moffett said.

“The South Island Kea bid is not a challenge to the Warriors but a complementary force that can elevate the sport across New Zealand.

“It’s vital to recognise that the success of rugby league in New Zealand depends on its growth and evolution.

“The South Island Kea bid embodies the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and community that is necessary for this growth.

“Rather than seeing our bid as a threat, the Auckland Warriors should consider the broader benefits it brings to the sport and the country.

The South Island Kea bid team have released a video. Picture: Supplied
“The South Island Kea have a simple message for George; we’re coming to get you and we will put a stop to Warriors warehousing young players and weakening our local club competition.

“You can continue to call yourselves the New Zealand Warriors, but you will no longer represent the whole of NZ when The Kea enter the NRL.”

The 80 second advertisement showcases the south islands landscape from beaches to mountains and labelled the region as “the new home of rugby league in New Zealand”.

They also forecast the potential of a derby with the Warriors by declaring a “new rivalry like no other” before showing a Warrior and Kea going head to head.

David Moffett at NRL headquarters during his CEO stint.
The NRL is expected to announce plans to add PNG as the 18th team, potentially in July. There is every chance that they will also detail a road map to 20 teams, having declared over Magic Round that they were now open to holding talks with potential bid teams.

A Perth bid in partnership with North Sydney is the early favourite to be awarded one of the two licenses while the south island of NZ and Brisbane Easts appear to be locked in a battle for the final spot.

Brisbane Easts – who would be called the Firehawks – are well placed given they have former Brisbane Broncos chief executive Shane Edwards at the helm and went close to securing a licence when the Dolphins won entry as the 17th team.

Moffett has enlisted former Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos to help lobby the NRL given he is based in Sydney and has a previous relationship with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.

The involvement of Moffett gives this bid serious credibility.

He’s a heavyweight in sports administration including working previous as the NRL CEO. With his connections within the NRL you wonder if he’s there with the NRLs backing…

Good luck to the Kea’s!

 

[hornbybrown]

pleased for png fans.

png would have been better off getting roads and highways and ports and shit from China.

Still this is a realistic budget to build a safe and secure NRL franchise in the country, likely guarded by Police and or military as required during times of unrest.

They are still getting all that from China, along with Hospitals, apartment complexes etc. 600 million is a drip of water in the ocean compared with what China is doing

 

[davidmckay1974]

I'd be up for Supporting South ISland Keas, as I live in Dunedin (at this stage), but my main heart and soul will still be with the Warriors.

 

[Fonzie]

The involvement of Moffett gives this bid serious credibility.

He’s a heavyweight in sports administration including working previous as the NRL CEO. With his connections within the NRL you wonder if he’s there with the NRLs backing…

Good luck to the Kea’s!

He isn’t