NRL NZ League Show

mt.wellington

mt.wellington

Contributor
NZ League Show​

Just wanted to hear peoples thoughts on what they would like to see from a NZ made rugby league show. Would you like an NRL 360 or a Matty Johns Show clone or maybe a mix of the two? More local based league content or NRL? Analysis by experts? Breakdowns? Warriors specific or NRL in general? Any host ideas? Former players, comedians or eye candy?
 

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mt.wellington said:
NZ League Show​

Just wanted to hear peoples thoughts on what they would like to see from a NZ made rugby league show. Would you like an NRL 360 or a Matty Johns Show clone or maybe a mix of the two? More local based league content or NRL? Analysis by experts? Breakdowns? Warriors specific or NRL in general? Any host ideas? Former players, comedians or eye candy?
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If it were to be purely NZ focused, I don't think there would be enough content to justify a NRL 360 style program. It would have to be a mix of that and the Matty Johns show. It would need to have segments where it addresses whatever recent news is going on, reflects on prior and upcoming games, interviews, and mini-docs not just about the Warriors, but NZ rugby league in general. Cover and give exposure to the lower grades and Fox Memorial comp.

Shit, make it an old school style NRL Footy Show. If it is a home game in NZ, see if you can get some of the players from the Aussie team on for a quick chat or whatever.

Out of all the Sky NZ commentators/league personalities, Monty is the best at what he does and should be involved in some capacity, but definitely need some jokers in there. I know Johnny Tuivasa Sheck isn't a big name in terms of player profile, but he is a natural entertaining and would be good involved in some capacity.

Edit: Kimberlee Downs is good at what she does and could make a good addition for some female representation and to hold shit together.

Get a revolving cast on in one of the positions - have Graham Lowe come on every once in a while and tell everyone they're shit.
 
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Can't believe I forgot about SJ - he would have to be involved. Get him doing a "small talk with big marn"-like segment where it goes out to schools and local junior clubs and gets some funny content out of kids.
 
Kestrel84 said:
not just about the Warriors, but NZ rugby league in general. Cover and give exposure to the lower grades and Fox Memorial comp.

I know Johnny Tuivasa Sheck isn't a big name in terms of player profile, but he is a natural entertaining and would be good involved in some capacity.
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These are some pretty important points. Like the team, need to have a good balance of ages to attract a diverse fan base.
 
Personally feel a 360 type show would work with a core Warriors focus but kiwi perspective on all things NRL. Already lots of comedian type shows so would keep away from that.

People want drama, gossip, scoops and news. If you make it a soap opera for men, you get deeper engagement and people coming back for more.

Have a mix of hosts - serious hosts, entertainers, diversity, etc but it needs to be really professional if we want to roll over the top of union and pull in more fans to the sport.
 
wizard of Tauranga said:
Personally feel a 360 type show would work with a core Warriors focus but kiwi perspective on all things NRL. Already lots of comedian type shows so would keep away from that.

People want drama, gossip, scoops and news. If you make it a soap opera for men, you get deeper engagement and people coming back for more.
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360 is absolute dog shit but you're right, people love the drama and gossip.

Personally think a NZ league show isn't worth much if it's just another NRL gossip show.

But I don't see a genuine NZ league podcast covering club/rep/Wahs/Kiwis working either. Most NZ league fans interest and participation starts and ends at the NRL level sadly.
 
Teets said:
360 is absolute dog shit but you're right, people love the drama and gossip.

Personally think a NZ league show isn't worth much if it's just another NRL gossip show.

But I don't see a genuine NZ league podcast covering club/rep/Wahs/Kiwis working either. Most NZ league fans interest and participation starts and ends at the NRL level sadly.
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You have to go mainstream for maximum buy with the whole of the NRL but you can still do it from a kiwi perspective. Shows like NrL 360 are aimed at their target audience and miss heaps of fringe stuff (like the Warriors). Focus more on the kiwis in other teams as well.

If you have the base of mass appeal stuff you can put snippets about the fringe stuff (eg local league) and not alienate viewers that aren’t interested.
 
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My own personal NZ dream show would be canceled after 2 weeks because the ratings would be shit. But it'd be something like,

First segment, Panel discussion of the Warriors performance and talking points.

Segment 2, X's and O's of the Wahs game. Wahs up poddy had some input from Jordan Pereira recently that was awesome.

Segment 3, Broader look at Kiwi performances in the NRL

Segment 4, Look at Wahs pathways and Kiwis kids in Aussie,

Segement 5, Local league coverage.
 
Here is a left field view - if the Warriors had more drama around players - we would have more engagement and room for a local media show, even if it’s in a love/ hate type of way. 🤔

For better or worse the Agar incident, Metcalf’s current form, Wairangi Koopu arrest, etc would all be great engaging media debate content the past 3 weeks.

Not saying I agree with it for the Warriors or players sake (who would want less drama) but counterintuitively that drama and focusing on the negatives playing out each week is EXACTLY the controversial stuff that will actually grow the game and it’s profile.
 
For myself I would like to see something like the following.
  • NRL and SL news on Kiwi players. Hopefully some day in the life of a Kiwi NRL player.
  • Get inside where a player is recovering from a serious injury. What they have to go through to get back.
  • News on the local scenes from around the country
  • Focus on the young players coming through. The sacrifices they and their families make.
  • Have some coaches go through tactics used in Rugby League in a way that people new to the game can be engaged by it
Not sure one show can do this but I would like to see this but from a Kiwi perspective.
 
The problem I have is that for whatever reason NZ does shows like this poorly compared to other countries.

If we could do it properly Id love to see a good anchor host with two expert assistant hosts to cover the following:

Relevant weekly headlines quick comments where the host asks the question and the two assistants have 30 seconds each to answer ie Agar in Vegas something or nothing? Todd Payton on thin ice? Etc etc
A 5 minute get to know a Warrior player or staff. (27 players plus staff gives you plenty of options for one a week)
Weekly Roundup highlights starting with our youth grades through to cup to first grade with comments after each.
Nrl highlights and comments
Predictions for the next round.
Could do SoO specials.
Could get a weekly dial in from someone like Andrew Voss.
Needs to be honest, analytical and informative and not just a cheer leading Warriors opportunity (Honest critiquing whether that's good or bad)

Problem is that the hosts need to be articulate, knowledgeable, have chemistry which is not easy to find in NZ. And not be a token appointment to fill a DEI hiring. If they are the best person and fit the criteria required then fair enough.

I'd like it to be a serious take with a bit of banter. Bit like the Matty Johns podcast with Cooper Cronk.
 
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No 360 gossip, rumours and controversial opinon type show will work here. Kiwis can’t do cringe comedy either.

There was a light hearted kiwi league show on Maori TV a few years ago that covered Kiwis in league at various levels. Upgrade that format with some high profile hosts like SJ and Monty. Give local league across NZ more exposure and hopefully help grow the game.

I’d love to see some behind the scenes stuff with the school league, the various NRL academies around NZ, Kiwis in pathways squads here and Aus etc. Covering Kiwis playing in the UK and France would be good content too.
 
I would like to see a show like NRL 360 with a cast of experts and a rotating guest spot filled with current players. Love the idea of having visiting players on the show.

From what Ive been told we can forget about Shaun Johnson. He wants an insane amount of money and its just not going to happen.

Monty is a must. I have enjoyed watching him hone his craft over the years and appreciate his level headed assessments. He's always Warriors positive and any criticism is always constructive and never too knee jerk, pitch fork slash and burn.

With that in mind we actually need the antithesis to Monty. A villain of sorts. What we need is someone who has an intimate knowledge of the clubs machinations who isnt in bed with them. Someone who isnt scared to offend the club, players, fans and the Warriors powers that be. Someone like Tony Kemp or Graeme Lowe except neither of those two particular people. Tony is a failed coach and sexual deviant while Lowe is just well past it. Maybe someone like journalist Michael Burgess or Marc Peard. Is Allen McLaughlin still alive? They dont have to be a villain but its crucial we have a non biased opinion and work in the media like some of the NRL 360 panel.

You need to have a fun light hearted personality who can also talk league with the best of them and only Dai Henwood fits that bills.

I want to see the whole NRL covered. Dont care if its Kiwis biased. I wanna hear about all the stars of the game and what makes them tick. I definitely want it to be Warriors heavy though. So like this week instead of NRL 360 talking about DCE and Manly for half the show I would expect a NZ show to spend a minute on it and spend half a show discussing Dylan Walker. I want to see a review of the Warriors game just gone and the upcoming game with breakdowns of teams, players, tactics, shapes, stats, strengths and weaknesses. Something like how Sterlo show use to do or Matthew Elliott does for the NRL.

I want to see a new local club featured every week from Whangarei to Invercargill. Current clubs like Marist Saints, Portland Panthers, Bay of Plenty Whalers and even the history of defunct clubs like the Glen Innes Falcons, Kawerau Raiders or City Newton Dragons.

I would love to see NZ juniors profiled. Some insight into what they have to deal with both here in NZ and across the ditch in other programs.

What I don't wanna see is some sort of influencer on the panel like that parasite Brooke who clings onto Shaun Johnsons jockstrap or some half ass clown from the ACC crew who aren't even a league fan. That would be an instant ban for me and my valuable time. Also agree with other posters complete dislike of the Fletch and Hindy pubescent practical joker antics.

I only want to see true dyed in the wool league fans who know the game intimately and have a real passion for the sport on the shows panel. A serious league show for serious league fans. Ideally I'd like a permanent panel of Monty Betham as expert/chair, Dai Henwood for colour, Marc Peard and a weekly guest like SJ, Sione Faumuina, Honey Hireme, Stephen McIvor, Mad Butcher, Peter Ropati, Nigel Vagana, Blake Ayshford etc...
 
mt.wellington said:
With that in mind we actually need the antithesis to Monty. A villain of sorts. What we need is someone who has an intimate knowledge of the clubs machinations who isnt in bed with them. Someone who isnt scared to offend the club, players, fans and the Warriors powers that be.
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Maybe out of the scene too long now (and out of the country for that matter) and despite that he could be a dick sometimes, Matthew Ridge could've fit that mould, had no problem offending. He was probably a bit too far up his own arse back in the day but I always liked how straight up he was. Like his podcasts, he's chilled out a lot but some great insights....

Great concept, would love to see something like that get off the ground, unfortunately we tend to half ass it with things like that in this country, intent is good but it turns into something quite cringey
 
mt.wellington said:
I would like to see a show like NRL 360 with a cast of experts and a rotating guest spot filled with current players. Love the idea of having visiting players on the show.

From what Ive been told we can forget about Shaun Johnson. He wants an insane amount of money and its just not going to happen.

Monty is a must. I have enjoyed watching him hone his craft over the years and appreciate his level headed assessments. He's always Warriors positive and any criticism is always constructive and never too knee jerk, pitch fork slash and burn.

With that in mind we actually need the antithesis to Monty. A villain of sorts. What we need is someone who has an intimate knowledge of the clubs machinations who isnt in bed with them. Someone who isnt scared to offend the club, players, fans and the Warriors powers that be. Someone like Tony Kemp or Graeme Lowe except neither of those two particular people. Tony is a failed coach and sexual deviant while Lowe is just well past it. Maybe someone like journalist Michael Burgess or Marc Peard. Is Allen McLaughlin still alive? They dont have to be a villain but its crucial we have a non biased opinion and work in the media like some of the NRL 360 panel.

You need to have a fun light hearted personality who can also talk league with the best of them and only Dai Henwood fits that bills.

I want to see the whole NRL covered. Dont care if its Kiwis biased. I wanna hear about all the stars of the game and what makes them tick. I definitely want it to be Warriors heavy though. So like this week instead of NRL 360 talking about DCE and Manly for half the show I would expect a NZ show to spend a minute on it and spend half a show discussing Dylan Walker. I want to see a review of the Warriors game just gone and the upcoming game with breakdowns of teams, players, tactics, shapes, stats, strengths and weaknesses. Something like how Sterlo show use to do or Matthew Elliott does for the NRL.

I want to see a new local club featured every week from Whangarei to Invercargill. Current clubs like Marist Saints, Portland Panthers, Bay of Plenty Whalers and even the history of defunct clubs like the Glen Innes Falcons, Kawerau Raiders or City Newton Dragons.

I would love to see NZ juniors profiled. Some insight into what they have to deal with both here in NZ and across the ditch in other programs.

What I don't wanna see is some sort of influencer on the panel like that parasite Brooke who clings onto Shaun Johnsons jockstrap or some half ass clown from the ACC crew who aren't even a league fan. That would be an instant ban for me and my valuable time. Also agree with other posters complete dislike of the Fletch and Hindy pubescent practical joker antics.

I only want to see true dyed in the wool league fans who know the game intimately and have a real passion for the sport on the shows panel. A serious league show for serious league fans. Ideally I'd like a permanent panel of Monty Betham as expert/chair, Dai Henwood for colour, Marc Peard and a weekly guest like SJ, Sione Faumuina, Honey Hireme, Stephen McIvor, Mad Butcher, Peter Ropati, Nigel Vagana, Blake Ayshford etc...
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You almost need an Aussie expert in there to get that wider perspective view too. Trouble with NZ based people are that they are probably too inward focused a lot of the time. A Phil Gould, Denan Kemp, Andrew Voss, etc would be great to cover the NRL and Warriors first grade segments - Matthew Elliott might even be worthwhile as the breaking down the plays person for each game and having the panel discuss.

You want the equivalent of Ian Smith, Jeremy Coney, Garth Galloway with an Aussie expert thrown in and not Scotty Stevenson, Grant Elliott etc
 
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