NRL NRL Expansion

[Makasene]

So the NRL are expected to announce the staggered entry of three new teams between 2027 and 2032?

Perth in 2027
????? in 2029?
????? in 2031?

If a second NZ team is not one of the latter two, then you'd have to think it'll never happen.

So who is in the running after Perth?
- PNG we know about
- Keas we know about
- whispers of a 3rd Brisbane team.
- possibly another QLD Morons team in somewhere like Mackay or Rockhampton?

 

[Teets]

If a second NZ team is not one of the latter two, then you'd have to think it'll never happen.

Agree.

I always like to think NZ rugby league is bigger than the Warriors, but under the current status quo it's not by much.

If we don't get in as team 19/20 it's never happening and we're losing our opportunity at ever being anything more than a niche sport here.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Former Eels coach meets with Perth NRL expansion bid​

Representatives of the Perth NRL expansion bid have met with former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur ahead of an ARL Commission meeting on Wednesday that could decide the future of the sport. Sources talking under the condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of discussions told this masthead that a Perth bid representative met with Arthur on Monday as part of its push to enter the competition as early as 2027.

The chairman of the Western Australian government working group responsible for the NRL bid, Peter Tinley, was in Sydney on Monday to meet with the sport’s key stakeholders. He met with NRL executives and Foxtel boss Patrick Delany to better position the Perth bid ahead of an NRL announcement that could be made as early as Wednesday.

The ARL Commission will meet in Melbourne ahead of State of Origin II. The commission is trying to establish a 20-team road map. Perth has emerged as the preferred location for the 18th team, potentially as early as 2027. The NRL wants the WA government to link with the North Sydney Bears as part of the next license, but the WA government’s preference is to stand alone as its own team.

Also, discussing with Newtown Jets about a partnership. Tinley met with Arthur after learning the coach’s partner was born and raised in Perth and still has family residing on the west coast of Australia. Arthur has also been linked to the vacant Leeds Rhinos job in the Super League. The Papua New Guinea expansion bid is still before government, with the NRL now shifting its focus to including a team based in Port Moresby as the 19th team.

The delay will provide the NRL time to build a mini-city which would house the players, staff and their families. The facility, which will include a hotel and centre of excellence, will be funded by the government and owned by the NRL as an asset.

The preferred destination for a 20th team is down to another QLD Morons side and a team on the south island of New Zealand.