NRL NRL Expansion

[WA Warrior]

They're not very inclusive in PNG but if anyone can make them woke it's Ian Roberts

League great weighs in on PNG team amid LGBTI concerns

'I know it can be difficult'

www.nine.com.au

Whatever side of the argument you look at it, PNG and the NRL code of conduct are incompatible from the outset.

 

[Worried2Death]

Whatever side of the argument you look at it, PNG and the NRL code of conduct are incompatible from the outset.

Totally, but the geopolitical maneuvering v China outweighs all of that apparently

 

[Shogun]

The Mole: 'Civil war' set to erupt as battle for New Zealand expansion bid turns ugly​

The Mole

The battle for the hearts and minds of Kiwi rugby league fans has become a civil war, with a demand for the Warriors to re-bid for their licence to remain in the NRL.

The call comes from South Island Kea boss David Moffett, who has taken a shot across the Warriors' bows after his proposed franchise was knocked back by the NRL.

Both Moffett's franchise and the Graham Lowe-headed Orcas were rejected by the NRL, with Papua New Guinea becoming the next team set to enter the big league.

Moffett's call follows a statement from the Warriors that New Zealand won't be ready for another NRL team for at least a decade, prompting an angry tirade.

And he didn't hold back in an exclusive interview with Wide World of Sports.

"After 30 years of unfulfilled promises and missed opportunities, it's time for the NRL to take a hard look at the state of rugby league in New Zealand," Moffett said.

"The Warriors have long held an unchallenged position as the country's sole NRL representative, yet their track record raises serious questions about whether they've maximized the potential of that privilege.

"With the emergence of The South Island Kea and their ambitious, well-funded bid, the NRL has a golden opportunity to evaluate what's truly best for the future of rugby league in New Zealand.

"To ensure the sport's growth and sustainability, the league should require the Warriors to re-bid for their license - providing a direct comparison between their historical performance and the transformative vision of The South Island Kea.

"The Warriors' record speaks for itself - one grand final appearance in 30 years, limited grassroots development, and minimal contribution to expanding rugby league's footprint.

Warriors fans have turned out in recent years. NRL Images

"Despite holding an effective monopoly, the club has failed to translate its position into consistent on-field success or significant off-field growth.

"The current structure of the Warriors does little to elevate the domestic game. Pathways for players, investment in facilities, and grassroots development remain stagnant. Their reliance on feeder teams traveling to Australia underscores a lack of genuine engagement with the broader rugby league community in New Zealand.

"Contrast this with the South Island Kea, whose bid is built on bold, actionable commitments. We propose investing in Pacific Island pathways to nurture emerging talent, boosting grassroots participation to grow the game nationwide and building a truly national footprint, leveraging state-of-the-art facilities in Christchurch and Dunedin to expand the game's reach."

At this stage, Perth are the other region in line to join the NRL as the game's decision-makers eye off a 20-team competition by the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

 

[WA Warrior]

They do have strong ties to the regions, but it’s patently ridiculous to entertain the notion that a regional team support the game nationally. Imagine expecting the Dragons to support the entire Australian game.

So in essence Moffett is taking a shit on the Warriors who have been competing and building for 30 years, when all he has is an excel spreadsheet and a shithole called Christchurch.

I never said the Warriors should support the entire NZ game so please don’t put me in that basket.
I think they could’ve done a lot better job out of the Auckland area over 30 years, that’s all.

 

[Noitall]

Whatever side of the argument you look at it, PNG and the NRL code of conduct are incompatible from the outset.

No rainbow jerseys for the PNG team with homosexuality illegal

 

[Teets]

I never said the Warriors should support the entire NZ game so please don’t put me in that basket.
I think they could’ve done a lot better job out of the Auckland area over 30 years, that’s all.

No one ever said they should be solely responsible except Frank.

They do absolutely have a role to play (with the NRL/NZRL) in growing the game though and stand to benefit the most from that.

 

[Matiunz]

No one ever said they should be solely responsible except Frank.

They do absolutely have a role to play (with the NRL/NZRL) in growing the game though and stand to benefit the most from that.

Yes the Warriors potentially could have done more but also think the ARL have sat back and expected the Warriors to do their job for them also- just look how far the Auckland league scene has fallen in the last 30years

 

[Worried2Death]

'Civil war' erupts as Warriors called out for NRL 'failure'

'Unfulfilled promises'

www.nine.com.au

Sounds like this could get nasty

There's a lot of bitterness coming out. This rivalry could be like Queensland v NSW. Hope Orcas fans aren't like Broncos fans, always blaming the Warriors for the conspiracy against them. Lot of similarities already.

 

[ndp26]

The Moffett bid is ridiculous, a "well-funded bid" should be able to do more than have AI generated logos with an Australian rugby union jumper... Moffett is just an old man yelling at the clouds...

[Edit: I see their logo has been updated/upgraded, which is somewhat positive. However, Moffett still seems to be an old man yelling at the clouds.]

Some great discussion on the Everything Rugby League podcast regarding expansion and the International game. Plenty of blame to share around for the lack of investment of RL in NZ, but ultimately it comes down to $$ - IRL has none to invest in RL in NZ, NZRL has little to invest in RL in NZ (and relies heavily on volunteers), the NRL should have money to invest in RL in NZ (but is not incentivised to do so given its stakeholders, and is perhaps restricted from doing so from a governance perspective), and the Warriors shouldn't be solely responsible for development of RL in NZ (although I agree with the sentiment that outside of Auckland has traditionally been neglected, although the ship is starting to turn on that front with McFadden's academies around the country).

 

[Worried2Death]

No rainbow jerseys for the PNG team with homosexuality illegal

Better give them a bye that round, and not mention them.

 

[WA Warrior]

Better give them a bye that round, and not mention them.

If the media continue to raise this and the NRL feel the heat, this could turn into a major problem.
How can you have a code of conduct to respect all LGBT people when in PNG you face prison time for gay intimacy.

 

[Worried2Death]

If the media continue to raise this and the NRL feel the heat, this could turn into a major problem.
How can you have a code of conduct to respect all LGBT people when in PNG you face prison time for gay intimacy.

I suppose they'll try to spin it as an opportunity to influence the culture and one day change the laws, but I can't see many in the media buying it unless they're bought nrl journos.

 

[WA Warrior]

I suppose they'll try to spin it as an opportunity to influence the culture and one day change the laws, some might buy it.

Like you said the Political win and NRL financial win will make it work out somehow.

 

[Worried2Death]

Like you said the Political win and NRL financial win will make it work out somehow.

The average league fan will probably just accept the hypocrisy and keep watching, it's all psyops anyway according to Frank.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

If the media continue to raise this and the NRL feel the heat, this could turn into a major problem.
How can you have a code of conduct to respect all LGBT people when in PNG you face prison time for gay intimacy.

Isn’t this the ultimate inclusion exercise, including people that are different to you?

It’s a different country with a different culture and set of values. The NRL has sort of backed itself into a corner with its moral police stand.

Based on PNG’s Christian values the case could equally be made the other way, how can PNG tolerate the NRL’s anti-Christian values?

Could get messy. The only was forward seems to be inclusion of all views.

 

[Naynay]

Isn’t this the ultimate inclusion exercise, including people that are different to you?

It’s a different country with a different culture and set of values. The NRL has sort of backed itself into a corner with its moral police stand.

Based on PNG’s Christian values the case could equally be made the other way, how can PNG tolerate the NRL’s anti-Christian values?

Could get messy. The only was forward seems to be inclusion of all views.

What anti christian values? I keep hearing this and its the most ridiculous thing, they actively show plays out on the field praying in groups.

At the end of the day the nrl couldnt care less, they are a capitalist institution whose only concern is profits.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

There basically is nothing professional about this Kea bid

Not only are they releasing more AI slop like this, they said they are going to do it every week, and haven't done it again in four weeks lol


View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCtefGuuz16/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Hope the Endacott and Lowe bid can get that deal done

 

[WA Warrior]

Isn’t this the ultimate inclusion exercise, including people that are different to you?

It’s a different country with a different culture and set of values. The NRL has sort of backed itself into a corner with its moral police stand.

Based on PNG’s Christian values the case could equally be made the other way, how can PNG tolerate the NRL’s anti-Christian values?

Could get messy. The only was forward seems to be inclusion of all views.

Yeah I’m not arguing for what’s right or wrong.
I’m just stating the facts.
The NRL has snookered themselves here.
Be interesting how they navigate this.

 

[mrblonde]

There's a lot of bitterness coming out. This rivalry could be like Queensland v NSW. Hope Orcas fans aren't like Broncos fans, always blaming the Warriors for the conspiracy against them. Lot of similarities already.

And the interesting thing, of course, is how many New Zealand rugby league people past and present have had nothing at all to do with the Warriors? Endacott and Lowe have been part of the Warriors when they've had seasons as bad or worse than 2024. Lowe should cop more of the blame than Endacott as he had more control over things, whatever happened there, being a part-owner from 99-00. He at worst actively helped leave us at the precipice of an enormous crossroads at the end of 2000 or at best and IIRC he and Boyle might have sold their holding to Tainui and Mr Underpants mid-2000 so realised he wasn't up to it and left. But, like everyone else, "Nothing to see here! Forget I was part of the Warriors when they sucked! Now, I'mma line-up, throw shit at the current team!"
I think the Queensland v New South Wales comparison might be right in terms resentment/hatred etc (I always liked Spike Milligan's definition of a love-hate relationship, incidentally ie the South and North of England have a love-hate relationship. The South love themselves and the North hate them because of it.). In terms of the quality of the two teams, um, yeah, not seeing a favourable comparison to Queensland and New South Wales in that department, just quietly.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

And the interesting thing, of course, is how many New Zealand rugby league people past and present have had nothing at all to do with the Warriors? Endacott and Lowe have been part of the Warriors when they've had seasons as bad or worse than 2024. Lowe should cop more of the blame than Endacott as he had more control over things, whatever happened there, being a part-owner from 99-00. He at worst actively helped leave us at the precipice of an enormous crossroads at the end of 2000 or at best and IIRC he and Boyle might have sold their holding to Tainui and Mr Underpants mid-2000 so realised he wasn't up to it and left. But, like everyone else, "Nothing to see here! Forget I was part of the Warriors when they sucked! Now, I'mma line-up, throw shit at the current team!"
I think the Queensland v New South Wales comparison might be right in terms resentment/hatred etc (I always liked Spike Milligan's definition of a love-hate relationship, incidentally ie the South and North of England have a love-hate relationship. The South love themselves and the North hate them because of it.). In terms of the quality of the two teams, um, yeah, not seeing a favourable comparison to Queensland and New South Wales in that department, just quietly.

the QLD v NSW analogy is a joke. Warriors might be QLD, but the southern team doesn't even fucking exist.