NRL NRL General Recruitment Thread

[snake77]

The other thing on that article the revenue between the NRL and union in 1996 wouldn't be right.

$10 million vs unions $85 million. Well at least he broke the union deal down over 10 years. Back then there were articles saying how financially powerful union was compared to various sports and large ones at that. I had friends telling me about it and I would have to break down the maths.

1996 the NRL didn't exist. League was also in the middle of the Super League war so the money would have exploded. That would have flown through the game.

1997 when I'd see the comparisons there were two league competitions. The quote to run one or both of them was $150 million.

From 1998 to 2008 when the NRL were stuck with the 10 year deal from the Super League war union would have had more money. We saw that with the players signing with the ARU. The problem for the NRL was getting through that deal as the money they would have generating wouldn't have matched the deal. Since then the broadcast deals and revenues have increased significantly. A few reporters or fans still think like the NRL is struggling like 15 years ago. Seen fans quote their deal was bigger due to South Africa, their economy isn't going that great and there is a reason why they looked to the Northern Hemisphere.

 

[Ozwarrior]

NRL 2023 salaries revealed: Why fullbacks are now the highest paid players in the rugby league | Daily Telegraph​

Reece Walsh is in line for a bumper $1.4 million pay day as figures unearthed showed the fullback position is now the richest spot in the NRL.
This masthead has obtained the NRL’s confidential benchmarking document, which outlines the average wage for each position and a breakdown of how much the top earners in each spot receive.

The 2023 figures show that the No.1 jersey is now the most lucrative in the game, surpassing that of halfbacks, thanks to the explosion in wages brought about by the massive increase in the salary cap.

The rise of superstar fullbacks, including Kalyn Ponga, Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Ryan Papenhuyzen, has resulted in the custodians now earning significantly more money than their teammates.

The average wage of the top five fullbacks is $1.24 million.

Ponga, the Newcastle Knights captain, has assumed the mantle as the richest player in the game, on a deal worth more than $1.4 million a season.

Halfbacks still maintain a massive slice of the team’s salary cap though, with the top five averaging $1.18 million in 2023.

Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans, Luke Brooks — in his final season at the Wests Tigers — Penrith’s Nathan Cleary and St George Illawarra’s Ben Hunt were still among the top earners across the game.

The benchmarking document provides each club with both the average and median salaries for players in each position, split into groups reflecting their place in top-30 rosters. Although it doesn’t name players, exhaustive research on salaries as part of the NRL Rich 100 investigations means this masthead can reveal the key players in the top-five bracket for each position.

WALSH & EDWARDS: PAYING A FULLBACK PREMIUM

Brisbane and QLD Morons superstar Walsh is set for a huge pay rise as he closes in on a long-term contract extension with the Broncos.

Based on the benchmark figures, Walsh could easily rate himself among the top five fullbacks in the game, meaning his next deal may earn him about $1.3 million per season.

Walsh, at just 21, was on a cut-price deal of about $450,000 last season when he helped lead his Broncos side to a dramatic grand final loss to the Panthers.

Broncos fullback Reece Walsh is a hot commodity. Picture: NRL Photos
His management has been locked in negotiations with the Broncos and it is understood he has no desire to play anywhere other than the Broncos, giving Brisbane a leg-up in their bid to retain him on a long-term deal.

By contrast, Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards is not expected to cash in on his good form until next season after upgrading and extending his deal at the foot of the mountains.

His current contract is worth about $550,000, but that will jump up to about $850,000 in 2025. Edwards is locked in a battle with incumbent captain Tedesco for the NSW No.1 jersey.

Parramatta young gun Blaize Talagi is also in the midst of his own contract talks with the Eels junior not locked into a regular spot. Pushing to play fullback could lead to a monster deal.

Newcastle’s bargain buy David Armstrong is also in the midst of contract talks with the club after impressing in Ponga’s absence.

2023 average NRL salary per position: Backs​

Rank​	Fullback​	Wing​	Centre​	Five-eighth​	Halfback​
1-5	$1,240,259	$672,417	$868,874	$955,436	$1,185,913
6-10	$764,114	$507,502	$624,078	$688,595	$806,235
11-15	$445,231	$439,569	$530,420	$474,808	$526,295
16-20	$179,969	$354,951	$422,340	$313,034	$299,703
21-25	$122011	$302,521	$369,452	$188,973	$155,096
26-30	$56,759	$261,710	$314,518	$155,000	$107,093
31-35		$236,967	$272,966	$114,700
36-40		$202,982	$247,787	$69,875
41-45		$172,894	$211,243
46-50		$152,957	$164,407
51-55		$127,356	$129,357
56-60		$120,000	$95,172
61-65		$120,000
66-70		$100,000

FIVE-EIGHTHS OF ...

While the fullbacks are cashing in on their rise in importance, and halfbacks maintain a healthy financial remuneration there is a surprising drop off in money spent on their spine partners across the NRL.

The game’s top five-eighths, led by Melbourne’s Cameron Munster, South Sydney’s Jack Wighton and the Sydney Roosters’ Luke Keary, rank behind props in terms of what they make in the game, with the top-five No.6s earning an average of $955,000.

That sits below what big men earn, with New Zealand’s Addin Fonua-Blake, Penrith’s James Fisher-Harris and Parramatta’s Junior Paulo among the five highest-paid front-rowers who take home an average of $1.05 million.

Departing Panthers Jarome Luai, who was on around $680,000 as a five-eighth last season, will enjoy a half-a-million-dollar pay bump when he moves to the Wests Tigers on a five-year, $6 million deal from 2025, which could include a shift into the halfback jersey. Luai will be one of the game’s highest paid players but he is expected to move into the no.7 jersey next year.

Panthers halfback and captain Nathan Cleary. Picture: Getty Images
LOCKING AND LOADING CENTRES

The top five centres and locks in the NRL are separated by a mere $1000 in their average wages – locks pocket $869,000 while centres earn $868,000 a year.

The top-secret document is shared with all 17 clubs on an annual basis, to give them an indication of where they sit in comparison to their rivals.

In a dramatic shift, only halfbacks cracked the top five million-dollar average salary two years ago.

The fullback wage has jumped significantly. The top five are now each earning more than $300,000 more. Props are also earning $300,000 more, while the dummy halves’ average salary has jumped by $200,000.

2023 average NRL salary per position: Forwards​

Rank​	Prop​	Hooker​	Edge Back Row​	Middle Back Row​
1-5	$1,056,389	$799,296	$822,812	$869,173
6-10	$836,912	$614,047	$702,650	$649,750
11-15	$795,637	$410,310	$638,762	$550,990
16-20	$672,700	$254,496	$559,577	$400,204
21-25	$604,956	$174,489	$485,080	$269,303
26-30	$536,685	$134,567	$418,522	$204,734
31-35	$487,663	$120,936	$350,492	$138,878
36-40	$448,342	$73,333	$302,636	$120,000
41-45	$368,790		$262,258	$84,444
46-50	$302,345		$235,088
51-55	$261,309		$192,586
56-60	$234,896		$173,438
61-65	$215,691		$143,130
66-70	$186,080		$129,200
71-75	$173,373		$120,000
76-80	$156,570		$115,929
81-85	$143,191		$48,895
86-90	$131,190
91-95	$120,099
96-100	$106,000
101-105	$18,958

WING AND A PAID PRAYER

There’s a financial incentive for outside backs to promote themselves as fullbacks in the free agency market, with wingers being, on average, the lowest-paid players of any position.

The average salary for the top five flyers, which includes Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Joseph Sua’ali’i, Nick Cotric, is $672,000, almost half that of their fullback counterparts.

The need for specialist wingers in the modern game has been reflected in the sharp jump in the average wage, which was significantly lower at just $451,000 in 2022.

Even the wage for wingers ranked 26-30 on club rosters has increased from $199,887 to $261,710 in 12 months.

BIG MONEY BACK-ROW MOVES

The switch of Marata Niukore to the Warriors and Viliami Kikau to the Bulldogs has fuelled a rise in the average salary of the league’s highest-paid second-rowers.

Alongside Titans edge forward David Fifita, who recently backflipped on his decision to join the Roosters to remain on the Gold Coast for a further two seasons, the average salary has increased by $70,000 from 2022 to $822,000.

Former Eels forward Niukore’s salary rose sharply to more than $800,000 last season, while Kikau’s switch from premiers Penrith to Canterbury had him on around $750,000.

 

[Noitall]

NRL 2023 salaries revealed: Why fullbacks are now the highest paid players in the rugby league | Daily Telegraph​

Reece Walsh is in line for a bumper $1.4 million pay day as figures unearthed showed the fullback position is now the richest spot in the NRL.
This masthead has obtained the NRL’s confidential benchmarking document, which outlines the average wage for each position and a breakdown of how much the top earners in each spot receive.

The 2023 figures show that the No.1 jersey is now the most lucrative in the game, surpassing that of halfbacks, thanks to the explosion in wages brought about by the massive increase in the salary cap.

The rise of superstar fullbacks, including Kalyn Ponga, Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Ryan Papenhuyzen, has resulted in the custodians now earning significantly more money than their teammates.

The average wage of the top five fullbacks is $1.24 million.

Ponga, the Newcastle Knights captain, has assumed the mantle as the richest player in the game, on a deal worth more than $1.4 million a season.

Halfbacks still maintain a massive slice of the team’s salary cap though, with the top five averaging $1.18 million in 2023.

Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans, Luke Brooks — in his final season at the Wests Tigers — Penrith’s Nathan Cleary and St George Illawarra’s Ben Hunt were still among the top earners across the game.

The benchmarking document provides each club with both the average and median salaries for players in each position, split into groups reflecting their place in top-30 rosters. Although it doesn’t name players, exhaustive research on salaries as part of the NRL Rich 100 investigations means this masthead can reveal the key players in the top-five bracket for each position.

WALSH & EDWARDS: PAYING A FULLBACK PREMIUM

Brisbane and QLD Morons superstar Walsh is set for a huge pay rise as he closes in on a long-term contract extension with the Broncos.

Based on the benchmark figures, Walsh could easily rate himself among the top five fullbacks in the game, meaning his next deal may earn him about $1.3 million per season.

Walsh, at just 21, was on a cut-price deal of about $450,000 last season when he helped lead his Broncos side to a dramatic grand final loss to the Panthers.

Broncos fullback Reece Walsh is a hot commodity. Picture: NRL Photos
His management has been locked in negotiations with the Broncos and it is understood he has no desire to play anywhere other than the Broncos, giving Brisbane a leg-up in their bid to retain him on a long-term deal.

By contrast, Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards is not expected to cash in on his good form until next season after upgrading and extending his deal at the foot of the mountains.

His current contract is worth about $550,000, but that will jump up to about $850,000 in 2025. Edwards is locked in a battle with incumbent captain Tedesco for the NSW No.1 jersey.

Parramatta young gun Blaize Talagi is also in the midst of his own contract talks with the Eels junior not locked into a regular spot. Pushing to play fullback could lead to a monster deal.

Newcastle’s bargain buy David Armstrong is also in the midst of contract talks with the club after impressing in Ponga’s absence.

2023 average NRL salary per position: Backs​

Rank​	Fullback​	Wing​	Centre​	Five-eighth​	Halfback​
1-5	$1,240,259	$672,417	$868,874	$955,436	$1,185,913
6-10	$764,114	$507,502	$624,078	$688,595	$806,235
11-15	$445,231	$439,569	$530,420	$474,808	$526,295
16-20	$179,969	$354,951	$422,340	$313,034	$299,703
21-25	$122011	$302,521	$369,452	$188,973	$155,096
26-30	$56,759	$261,710	$314,518	$155,000	$107,093
31-35		$236,967	$272,966	$114,700
36-40		$202,982	$247,787	$69,875
41-45		$172,894	$211,243
46-50		$152,957	$164,407
51-55		$127,356	$129,357
56-60		$120,000	$95,172
61-65		$120,000
66-70		$100,000

FIVE-EIGHTHS OF ...

While the fullbacks are cashing in on their rise in importance, and halfbacks maintain a healthy financial remuneration there is a surprising drop off in money spent on their spine partners across the NRL.

The game’s top five-eighths, led by Melbourne’s Cameron Munster, South Sydney’s Jack Wighton and the Sydney Roosters’ Luke Keary, rank behind props in terms of what they make in the game, with the top-five No.6s earning an average of $955,000.

That sits below what big men earn, with New Zealand’s Addin Fonua-Blake, Penrith’s James Fisher-Harris and Parramatta’s Junior Paulo among the five highest-paid front-rowers who take home an average of $1.05 million.

Departing Panthers Jarome Luai, who was on around $680,000 as a five-eighth last season, will enjoy a half-a-million-dollar pay bump when he moves to the Wests Tigers on a five-year, $6 million deal from 2025, which could include a shift into the halfback jersey. Luai will be one of the game’s highest paid players but he is expected to move into the no.7 jersey next year.

Panthers halfback and captain Nathan Cleary. Picture: Getty Images
LOCKING AND LOADING CENTRES

The top five centres and locks in the NRL are separated by a mere $1000 in their average wages – locks pocket $869,000 while centres earn $868,000 a year.

The top-secret document is shared with all 17 clubs on an annual basis, to give them an indication of where they sit in comparison to their rivals.

In a dramatic shift, only halfbacks cracked the top five million-dollar average salary two years ago.

The fullback wage has jumped significantly. The top five are now each earning more than $300,000 more. Props are also earning $300,000 more, while the dummy halves’ average salary has jumped by $200,000.

2023 average NRL salary per position: Forwards​

Rank​	Prop​	Hooker​	Edge Back Row​	Middle Back Row​
1-5	$1,056,389	$799,296	$822,812	$869,173
6-10	$836,912	$614,047	$702,650	$649,750
11-15	$795,637	$410,310	$638,762	$550,990
16-20	$672,700	$254,496	$559,577	$400,204
21-25	$604,956	$174,489	$485,080	$269,303
26-30	$536,685	$134,567	$418,522	$204,734
31-35	$487,663	$120,936	$350,492	$138,878
36-40	$448,342	$73,333	$302,636	$120,000
41-45	$368,790		$262,258	$84,444
46-50	$302,345		$235,088
51-55	$261,309		$192,586
56-60	$234,896		$173,438
61-65	$215,691		$143,130
66-70	$186,080		$129,200
71-75	$173,373		$120,000
76-80	$156,570		$115,929
81-85	$143,191		$48,895
86-90	$131,190
91-95	$120,099
96-100	$106,000
101-105	$18,958

WING AND A PAID PRAYER

There’s a financial incentive for outside backs to promote themselves as fullbacks in the free agency market, with wingers being, on average, the lowest-paid players of any position.

The average salary for the top five flyers, which includes Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Joseph Sua’ali’i, Nick Cotric, is $672,000, almost half that of their fullback counterparts.

The need for specialist wingers in the modern game has been reflected in the sharp jump in the average wage, which was significantly lower at just $451,000 in 2022.

Even the wage for wingers ranked 26-30 on club rosters has increased from $199,887 to $261,710 in 12 months.

BIG MONEY BACK-ROW MOVES

The switch of Marata Niukore to the Warriors and Viliami Kikau to the Bulldogs has fuelled a rise in the average salary of the league’s highest-paid second-rowers.

Alongside Titans edge forward David Fifita, who recently backflipped on his decision to join the Roosters to remain on the Gold Coast for a further two seasons, the average salary has increased by $70,000 from 2022 to $822,000.

Former Eels forward Niukore’s salary rose sharply to more than $800,000 last season, while Kikau’s switch from premiers Penrith to Canterbury had him on around $750,000.

Niukore’s salary going to be disputed again?

 

[Blain]

No. If he's fit for a whole season he would be worth it. Taking into account $800k is the old $700k, and we signed him when we were fucking shit.

 

[Noitall]

No. If he's fit for a whole season he would be worth it. Taking into account $800k is the old $700k, and we signed him when we were fucking shit.

Bulldogs were shit when they got Kikau for $750k a season. Niukore earns $50k more a season than the third placed dally m backrower Kikau. Injuries can’t be helped but we need more for that coin. Would definitely be keeping him on an edge

 

[sup42]

Rugby would kill for the media circus of NRL.

The game is in the papers every day, good bad or indifferent.

Never fails to disappoint!

Union tends to copy league twenty years later.

Watch this space.

 

[sup42]

Don’t think it’s any relation. Pretty sure Lachlan has an e on the end? Metcalfe?

Funny when I googled it Lachlan is so unknown that there are spellings with a e and without...that's when you know you haven't made it....

 

[Completion Rate]

The Junior Pathways thread isn't open for replies so this is probably the best place for this article.

It isn't quite the figures I have said in the past in terms of numbers of kids heading to Australia. If the reporter looked into that he would probably be shocked even more.

It does go over how young the search for talent goes.

Some of the quotes are quite funny as they now seem fine for kids to not be tied to one code as that can restrict you. How many players over the years wanted to play league but weren't allowed to.

Also a few quotes how rugby cares for the individual. The NRL is a big business to say the clubs sign the clubs and don't look after them wouldn't be right.

Teenage talent wars: How the NRL is poaching Kiwi schoolboys

As rugby stands off, league is swooping to win the race to secure future talent.

www.nzherald.co.nz

That article enraged me. A few of the quotes in there show how out of touch union elitists are. Also pretending like school teams aren't pushing kids to the limit or doing the very same thing they're complaining league's doing to them in the pacific with scholarships. Its total wank.

 

[Ozwarrior]

Not sure where to post this.


EXCLUSIVE

Leaked document reveals NRL and Warriors unprecedented mission to take on rugby union in NZ​

Leaked documents reveal the strategic plan that will break rugby union’s grasp on New Zealand’s sporting landscape, and change rugby league on both sides of the Tasman forever.
David Riccio
Follow

@DaveRic1

6 min read
May 25, 2024 - 12:00PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s.../392dbd1f1dc2bac3ea2d4a3802dee066#share-tools

NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
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The NRL is poised to embark on the code’s most advanced infiltration of New Zealand rugby union with an investment plan that will be targeted at schools and culminate with a second team across the Tasman.
The battle plan to break rugby union’s stranglehold at a grassroots and professional level in New Zealand has been formed during a period of record crowds and TV ratings for the Warriors.
Warriors fever has gripped New Zealand, with Sunday’s match against the Dolphins in Auckland the club’s ninth consecutive sold-out home game.
The NRL has a range of reasons to take advantage of this opportunity, including:
* The push to include a second New Zealand NRL team via expansion;
* The tactics of New Zealand rugby schools to discourage students from taking up opportunities with the Warriors; and
* The threat of a civil war at the highest level in New Zealand rugby union.
The Sunday Telegraph has obtained the strategic plan which was designed by Warriors CEO Cameron George and presented to NRL CEO Andrew Abdo last week.

It outlines the game’s focus to become the ‘premier sport’ by making New Zealand a breeding ground for NRL talent for the next 50 years.
It also details an action, strategy and investment plan that George believes will change the entire landscape of rugby league in New Zealand, and benefit all 17 clubs.
“We’re doing our job to fly the flag for the NRL and all the other clubs,’’ George said of the Warriors’ bid to embed rugby league into New Zealand.
“So it’s time. That’s why I went over to see Andrew Abdo.
“It’s just so unique that the ARL Commission and Peter V’landys can use our brand and our vehicle to grow the overall game for its future.
“I believe every other club would genuinely support the plan because it’s not like we (Warriors) can take every player.
“But what we can do is encourage every young kid and every potential coach to play rugby league.”

The Warriors are the hottest ticket in New Zealand right now. Picture: NRL Photos

SCHOOL WORK ​

As it stands, the NRL doesn’t have a single schoolboy or girl competition, program or even an ambassador that runs junior boys and girls clinics in New Zealand.
The Warriors and the NZRL have largely been in charge of the game’s growth to this point.
Under the new plan, the NRL would invest like never before in grassroots and the school systems.
“This is about growing the entire NRL foundation in New Zealand over the next five, 10, 15 to 20 years,” George said.
“The more kids we can have playing rugby league in New Zealand, the more kids that will eventually be playing in the NRL.
“The schoolboy competition that I’m vigorously chasing, through funding domestically and also the NRL, is that any number of schools will participate in it, so that when a Pacific Island expansion strategy is put in place, the investment in the school systems and programs in New Zealand will be a very big answer to what they’re trying to achieve.”
Abdo confirmed the ARL Commission’s intent.
“We want to see more boys and girls in New Zealand aspiring to be NRL and NRLW players, and the Commission is working with the Warriors and all stakeholders to create an aggressive investment plan for New Zealand grassroots,” Abdo said.

Bunty Afoa stan, and SuperCoach tragic, Anton Posa shows his support from the stands. Picture: NRL Photos

CASE STUDY​

George said that Melbourne Storm backrower Eliesa Katoa was the perfect example of an NRL player who could have been lost to rugby union because rugby league doesn’t have a presence at a schoolboy level.
“Eli Katoa is currently playing for Melbourne and originally comes from Tonga, but goes to Auckland for school, where he has to go to a rugby union college,” George said.
“But if we change tack, a player like Eli can come here (Auckland) and play rugby league at the elite level in the schoolboy system.
“Most of the kids, if not all of the kids (from the Pacific Islands) are coming here to play rugby union and then we’re taking them from rugby union, and then we’ve got to put them back into a rugby league system which takes them a few years to get going.
“If we’ve got 10 to 15 schools participating in a program dedicated to rugby league, we’re getting those teenagers from Samoa and Tonga straight into the system.
“Then what happens, because they’re in the system, they stay in their most comfortable lifestyle for longer, and stay in the game for longer, rather than getting taken to Australia at such a young age and then spat out because they had to leave home to join a dedicated rugby league program.”

---

Inside the Warriors' NZ takeover​

Rise of the Wahs is overtaking NZ rugby

Why NZ investors pour millions into NRL

Ugly tactics used by NZ rugby schools

Warriors’ best seven rugby union converts

Warriors' top schoolboy rugby stars

Inside league-union code war

---

ALL BLACKS ​

The NRL’s action plan is never more timely. According to reports last week, rugby in New Zealand is on the brink of civil war over a dispute between the country’s leading players and the NZR.
Despite the increasing tension at the highest level of rugby in New Zealand, George said this wasn’t about trying to usurp the might and power of the All Blacks in a country that treats the national rugby union team like a religion.
“The All Blacks and the Kiwis are the pinnacle of our two sports in New Zealand,” George said.
“We should always hold them in high regard because they represent our country. We do respect the All Blacks.
“But in a day-to-day retail market, where we’re playing week in and week out against rugby union, then well, we (NRL) should want to be the best choice for participation, engagement and attendance.”

SECOND NZ TEAM ​

The NRL is in the process of deciding whether to support a government-backed scheme to expand the competition into Papua New Guinea.
Many fans and media commentators, on the back of the Warriors’ success, believes New Zealand should be afforded a second team.
However, George said it would be premature to add another team across the Tasman without the NRL taking up a long-term strategy and investing in the grassroots and school system.
“You would not survive with a second New Zealand team right now,” George said.
“But in 10 years’ time you’re going to have more kids playing rugby league in New Zealand which is going to provide more rugby league talent to the game, which clearly answers the game’s expansion questions.”

The battle in on to win young fans over to rugby league. Picture: NRL Photos

YES, PRIME MINISTER ​

The Warriors pathways system is being blocked by the tactics of rugby schools in New Zealand, which have been known to discourage students from taking up opportunities with the Warriors.
George said he is willing to go all the way to the Prime Minister to put an end to powerful rugby union schools attempting to deter youngsters from playing league.
“I spoke to the education minister the other day and the sports minister in New Zealand has reached out,” George said.
“We’re having a discussion in the very near future about it.
“I’m not letting go of finding a solution because it’s completely unfair on kids and it shouldn’t be in our school system.
“If need be, we’ll be speaking to the Prime Minister’s office because I’m sure it’s not what he wants happening in his school system.’’

THE MUSCLE​

With the powerful support of ARL chair V’landys, Abdo made his position clear on the code’s plan to invest in and support more kids to choose rugby league over rugby union in New Zealand.
“Whether it’s kids playing at grassroots, elite talent entering NRL pathways or families watching at the ground or on TV, we know New Zealanders are moving from rugby union to rugby league in droves and we want to encourage that trend,”Abdo said.
“If you want to see strength, speed and skill the choice has always been rugby league.
“The aim is for the NRL to cement its position as the premier live sport in New Zealand.
“The data shows that the Warriors have become New Zealand’s favourite team and a national icon.

More Coverage​

Text messages reveal tension in league-union code war
The 26 NZ schoolboy rugby stars in Warriors pathways system
“Covid kept the Warriors out of New Zealand, and yet despite that disruption on every key indicator rugby league is booming, including TV viewership which is up 36 per cent in New Zealand.
“Rugby league is the biggest sport community in the Pacific, and we want it to be the language that brings our entire region together, including in New Zealand.
“We’re thrilled to see the growth of the game in New Zealand, but the truth is we are only just getting started.”

https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?te...z/news-story/392dbd1f1dc2bac3ea2d4a3802dee066

 

[WA Warrior]

Not sure where to post this.


EXCLUSIVE

Leaked document reveals NRL and Warriors unprecedented mission to take on rugby union in NZ​

Leaked documents reveal the strategic plan that will break rugby union’s grasp on New Zealand’s sporting landscape, and change rugby league on both sides of the Tasman forever.
David Riccio
Follow
@DaveRic1

6 min read
May 25, 2024 - 12:00PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s.../392dbd1f1dc2bac3ea2d4a3802dee066#share-tools

NRL
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The NRL is poised to embark on the code’s most advanced infiltration of New Zealand rugby union with an investment plan that will be targeted at schools and culminate with a second team across the Tasman.
The battle plan to break rugby union’s stranglehold at a grassroots and professional level in New Zealand has been formed during a period of record crowds and TV ratings for the Warriors.
Warriors fever has gripped New Zealand, with Sunday’s match against the Dolphins in Auckland the club’s ninth consecutive sold-out home game.
The NRL has a range of reasons to take advantage of this opportunity, including:
* The push to include a second New Zealand NRL team via expansion;
* The tactics of New Zealand rugby schools to discourage students from taking up opportunities with the Warriors; and
* The threat of a civil war at the highest level in New Zealand rugby union.
The Sunday Telegraph has obtained the strategic plan which was designed by Warriors CEO Cameron George and presented to NRL CEO Andrew Abdo last week.

It outlines the game’s focus to become the ‘premier sport’ by making New Zealand a breeding ground for NRL talent for the next 50 years.
It also details an action, strategy and investment plan that George believes will change the entire landscape of rugby league in New Zealand, and benefit all 17 clubs.
“We’re doing our job to fly the flag for the NRL and all the other clubs,’’ George said of the Warriors’ bid to embed rugby league into New Zealand.
“So it’s time. That’s why I went over to see Andrew Abdo.
“It’s just so unique that the ARL Commission and Peter V’landys can use our brand and our vehicle to grow the overall game for its future.
“I believe every other club would genuinely support the plan because it’s not like we (Warriors) can take every player.
“But what we can do is encourage every young kid and every potential coach to play rugby league.”

The Warriors are the hottest ticket in New Zealand right now. Picture: NRL Photos

SCHOOL WORK ​

As it stands, the NRL doesn’t have a single schoolboy or girl competition, program or even an ambassador that runs junior boys and girls clinics in New Zealand.
The Warriors and the NZRL have largely been in charge of the game’s growth to this point.
Under the new plan, the NRL would invest like never before in grassroots and the school systems.
“This is about growing the entire NRL foundation in New Zealand over the next five, 10, 15 to 20 years,” George said.
“The more kids we can have playing rugby league in New Zealand, the more kids that will eventually be playing in the NRL.
“The schoolboy competition that I’m vigorously chasing, through funding domestically and also the NRL, is that any number of schools will participate in it, so that when a Pacific Island expansion strategy is put in place, the investment in the school systems and programs in New Zealand will be a very big answer to what they’re trying to achieve.”
Abdo confirmed the ARL Commission’s intent.
“We want to see more boys and girls in New Zealand aspiring to be NRL and NRLW players, and the Commission is working with the Warriors and all stakeholders to create an aggressive investment plan for New Zealand grassroots,” Abdo said.

Bunty Afoa stan, and SuperCoach tragic, Anton Posa shows his support from the stands. Picture: NRL Photos

CASE STUDY​

George said that Melbourne Storm backrower Eliesa Katoa was the perfect example of an NRL player who could have been lost to rugby union because rugby league doesn’t have a presence at a schoolboy level.
“Eli Katoa is currently playing for Melbourne and originally comes from Tonga, but goes to Auckland for school, where he has to go to a rugby union college,” George said.
“But if we change tack, a player like Eli can come here (Auckland) and play rugby league at the elite level in the schoolboy system.
“Most of the kids, if not all of the kids (from the Pacific Islands) are coming here to play rugby union and then we’re taking them from rugby union, and then we’ve got to put them back into a rugby league system which takes them a few years to get going.
“If we’ve got 10 to 15 schools participating in a program dedicated to rugby league, we’re getting those teenagers from Samoa and Tonga straight into the system.
“Then what happens, because they’re in the system, they stay in their most comfortable lifestyle for longer, and stay in the game for longer, rather than getting taken to Australia at such a young age and then spat out because they had to leave home to join a dedicated rugby league program.”

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ALL BLACKS ​

The NRL’s action plan is never more timely. According to reports last week, rugby in New Zealand is on the brink of civil war over a dispute between the country’s leading players and the NZR.
Despite the increasing tension at the highest level of rugby in New Zealand, George said this wasn’t about trying to usurp the might and power of the All Blacks in a country that treats the national rugby union team like a religion.
“The All Blacks and the Kiwis are the pinnacle of our two sports in New Zealand,” George said.
“We should always hold them in high regard because they represent our country. We do respect the All Blacks.
“But in a day-to-day retail market, where we’re playing week in and week out against rugby union, then well, we (NRL) should want to be the best choice for participation, engagement and attendance.”

SECOND NZ TEAM ​

The NRL is in the process of deciding whether to support a government-backed scheme to expand the competition into Papua New Guinea.
Many fans and media commentators, on the back of the Warriors’ success, believes New Zealand should be afforded a second team.
However, George said it would be premature to add another team across the Tasman without the NRL taking up a long-term strategy and investing in the grassroots and school system.
“You would not survive with a second New Zealand team right now,” George said.
“But in 10 years’ time you’re going to have more kids playing rugby league in New Zealand which is going to provide more rugby league talent to the game, which clearly answers the game’s expansion questions.”

The battle in on to win young fans over to rugby league. Picture: NRL Photos

YES, PRIME MINISTER ​

The Warriors pathways system is being blocked by the tactics of rugby schools in New Zealand, which have been known to discourage students from taking up opportunities with the Warriors.
George said he is willing to go all the way to the Prime Minister to put an end to powerful rugby union schools attempting to deter youngsters from playing league.
“I spoke to the education minister the other day and the sports minister in New Zealand has reached out,” George said.
“We’re having a discussion in the very near future about it.
“I’m not letting go of finding a solution because it’s completely unfair on kids and it shouldn’t be in our school system.
“If need be, we’ll be speaking to the Prime Minister’s office because I’m sure it’s not what he wants happening in his school system.’’

THE MUSCLE​

With the powerful support of ARL chair V’landys, Abdo made his position clear on the code’s plan to invest in and support more kids to choose rugby league over rugby union in New Zealand.
“Whether it’s kids playing at grassroots, elite talent entering NRL pathways or families watching at the ground or on TV, we know New Zealanders are moving from rugby union to rugby league in droves and we want to encourage that trend,”Abdo said.
“If you want to see strength, speed and skill the choice has always been rugby league.
“The aim is for the NRL to cement its position as the premier live sport in New Zealand.
“The data shows that the Warriors have become New Zealand’s favourite team and a national icon.

More Coverage​

Text messages reveal tension in league-union code war
The 26 NZ schoolboy rugby stars in Warriors pathways system
“Covid kept the Warriors out of New Zealand, and yet despite that disruption on every key indicator rugby league is booming, including TV viewership which is up 36 per cent in New Zealand.
“Rugby league is the biggest sport community in the Pacific, and we want it to be the language that brings our entire region together, including in New Zealand.
“We’re thrilled to see the growth of the game in New Zealand, but the truth is we are only just getting started.”

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Just commonsense isn’t it. So much talent in NZ it’s not funny.

 

[Noitall]

Just commonsense isn’t it. So much talent in NZ it’s not funny.

NZ needs to safeguard itself somehow that origin and Pacific nations don’t benefit the most rather than the Kiwis in a representative scene with that rule being used to effect. Even the kangaroos once they have been there long enough. The clubs will develop them admittedly but it would be nice to get the cream of the crop. Best way is to make the Kiwi jersey something to cherish

 

[WA Warrior]

NZ needs to safeguard itself somehow that origin and Pacific nations don’t benefit the most rather than the Kiwis in a representative scene with that rule being used to effect. Even the kangaroos once they have been there long enough. The clubs will develop them admittedly but it would be nice to get the cream of the crop. Best way is to make the Kiwi jersey something to cherish

I see it as a battle against Rugby Union. I have no gripes on any player representing who they want to as long as they qualify.

 

[Noitall]

I see it as a battle against Rugby Union. I have no gripes on any player representing who they want to as long as they qualify.

I see the rule of players able to play origin and rep their Pacific nations or Aussie as a massive disadvantage to the Kiwis the most. Many of those players are born in NZ, but I do agree with you that they should represent whoever they qualify for. I think the fairest way is to make those Pacific nations as tier 1 also and you pledge your allegiance to your chosen nation in the face of origin or whatever. Would like to see something formed in an origin format between Pacific nations also. Samoa vs Tonga would be great but probably disadvantages the Kiwis again with a draw card for players in origin or a potential pacific origin

 

[snake77]

Having money invested here would be great. New Zealand provides a lot of talent to the NRL. Sure some clubs do stuff here but if the systems were in place already it would help a lot.

It would be great to have larger numbers playing age group football and higher.

Ideally we'd have a NSW/QLD Morons Cup level competition here in NZ. Or higher level club competitions closer to the two NRL teams.

Similar to when the Warriors want to invest. This is all good but if the NRL does it they need to see it through and keep it going.

If it leads to a second NRL side and helps both of the NZ based clubs development systems. Hell yeah.

 

[WA Warrior]

I see the rule of players able to play origin and rep their Pacific nations or Aussie as a massive disadvantage to the Kiwis the most. Many of those players are born in NZ, but I do agree with you that they should represent whoever they qualify for. I think the fairest way is to make those Pacific nations as tier 1 also and you pledge your allegiance to your chosen nation in the face of origin or whatever. Would like to see something formed in an origin format between Pacific nations also. Samoa vs Tonga would be great but probably disadvantages the Kiwis again with a draw card for players in origin or a potential pacific origin

I get it and it might seem like the players have a bob each way but if we make the players choose either Australia, NZ or the PI teams, International footy will die overnight.

That’s the reality, Aussie/PIs will hold out to play origin, up and coming PIs will be on the sidelines holding out for the Kiwi jumper.

PI teams will have Queenlsand Cup quality players representing their nations.

International footy will be Kiwis, Australia and England.

 

[Noitall]

I get it and it might seem like the players have a bob each way but if we make the players choose either Australia, NZ or the PI teams, International footy will die overnight.

That’s the reality, Aussie/PIs will hold out to play origin, up and coming PIs will be on the sidelines holding out for the Kiwi jumper.

PI teams will have Queenlsand Cup quality players representing their nations.

International footy will be Kiwis, Australia and England.

For me personally it feels like origin is dying. The stars of the competition are mainly of a pacific ethnicity so don’t have the same intensity and hatred of origins of the past, I’ve watched as many good club games as the origin series last year. The changing rules probably are having an effect on that also. I think the cauldron like atmosphere that the Tongan fans create here when their team plays is something that could be exploited in a similar format for the spectacle.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

I think the cauldron like atmosphere that the Tongan fans create here when their team plays is something that could be exploited in a similar format for the spectacle.

That triple header a few years back, at Eden park, was one of the best evenings of league I think Ive ever seen.

Fiji pumped Samoa.
NZ topped England
Tonga beat Aus.

Magical evening, totally made by the Tongan fans..

 

[Noitall]

I see it as a battle against Rugby Union. I have no gripes on any player representing who they want to as long as they qualify.

It’s not as much of a battle against rugby union as it is a battle against All Blacks, they aren’t targeting world players. Don’t get me wrong, All Blacks benefit hugely from Pacific Islands but this country is a breeding ground for rugby or any game similar. Many white boys have game as much as many Pacific or Maori boys growing up here but often the Polynesian or Maori boys will develop much bigger. I’m all for strengthening Warriors and Kiwi league from these proposals but I’m unfortunately not as willing to strengthen the other nations or nrl teams. I know it’s going to happen but as I mentioned, I want the cream of the crop. Just my view, I’m a selfish prick

 

[Noitall]

Magical evening, totally made by the Tongan fans..

Greatest fans in the world of their team

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

Greatest fans in the world of their team

100%

I will never get mad at Tonga beating the Kiwis. It means so much more to their fans and I can't help but get excited with them.