I’m talking about Christchurch based players that played for the warriors
NRL NRL Expansion
- Thread starter rugged
- Start date
Matiunz
Contributor
I’ve played at Henson park there’s no way it can hold an NRL match- pre season maybe.
Both Cowboys and PNG are opposed to a Cairns base
Far North Queensland might not mind the PNG Cowboys. As a thought, stay based in FNQ with 50% home games at Townsville, 25% FNQ 25% PNG.
As sweetener for PNG and a bit of mana they keep cowboys Qcup team and also get PNG hunters as bonus feeder club.
Would like to see all the Sydney teams play another home game outside NSW ideally against team from that state/country.
I know a few Sydney teams take a home game interstate, Eels play a game most years in Darwin, also normally a game in Perth as well.
Or prehaps with the right coach, and support they can field a team solely from PNG, home games in port Moresby would be something else
Wouldn’t a condition be the ground is upgraded with Australian/ US money if it’s all political?
It may come down to based in Queensland = franchise or it’s not going to happen.
Strategically they could base in Queensland with the idea to relocate to PNG in say 10 years when the clubs established and certain criteria are met (eg murder rate falls below x amount). Conditions that may never be met and never relocate but get past the short term roadblocks.
but those 4000 would really appreciate the gesture and would feel part of the set up.
Guys like Griffin Neame would have been recruited rather than travelling to N.T. Cowboys. Note that a team of coasters travel through the Alps each week to play in the Christchurch club competition.
These are guys with league in their blood and prime candidates for the S.I. franchise.
"Super Rugby" not so super anymore. Crowds are poor and the rules not conducive to open, fast moving action. Note the Warriors v West Tigers trial game attracted 16,000 fans
I caught the highlights of the last Crusaders game - doubt there was 8,000 in attendance.
I've seen a lot of comment online that the fans are jumping off the Crusaders wagon because they're loosing but the crowd numbers were pretty similar last season when we won the title.
A League attendance is really bad.
Phoenix having their best season ever and can't seem to capture the public's imagination.
Averaging 8k with their best attendance being in Auckland.
www.ultimatealeague.com
Meanwhile the NRL is flying
Phoenix having their best season ever and can't seem to capture the public's imagination.
Averaging 8k with their best attendance being in Auckland.
Attendance Statistics :: Totals / Averages :: Ultimate A-League
From the Attendance Statistics section, you access crowd statistics for all A-League Men's competition seasons and matches.
www.ultimatealeague.com
Meanwhile the NRL is flying
The state of rugby is the reason why now is the time to strike. This is coming from someone who played till I was 43
Wrighty
Contributor
I watched the Crusaders vs Chiefs on Saturday and it was surprisingly free flowing and whistle free but that may have been an anomaly. Could have been the particular ref though. It was Angus Gardner from Aussie and he is on the elite panel.
Wrighty
Contributor
The only team I am in favour of expanding to is PNG I have decided as they can fill their team with PNG players and have a distinct talent pool rather than planning on competing with everyone else for talent.
Take a look at the Titans 17 this weekend. If the Titans could find better talent they would sign it but there is none available. The Keas or Perth Bears will for the first few seasons have a roster worse than the Titans and that will make them a prank side not worth watching. It will just be too hard for the expansion franchise to get players.
When the NHL teams expand the head office helps the new team by holding an expansion draft. Each existing NHL team can only protect say 25 players which allows the new team to nab veterans on the outer who are still wanted like the equivalent of a TMM and up and comers who are highly thought of from other cubs. Just saying to a new club "You have to start from scratch and compete with every other man and dog to make a roster of 30" is unreasonable. I don't know how the Dolphins did so well but I remember they took a long time to sign anybody as they kept getting knocked back.
No to expansion until the 16th and 17th ranked teams in the NRL look more competitive.
Take a look at the Titans 17 this weekend. If the Titans could find better talent they would sign it but there is none available. The Keas or Perth Bears will for the first few seasons have a roster worse than the Titans and that will make them a prank side not worth watching. It will just be too hard for the expansion franchise to get players.
When the NHL teams expand the head office helps the new team by holding an expansion draft. Each existing NHL team can only protect say 25 players which allows the new team to nab veterans on the outer who are still wanted like the equivalent of a TMM and up and comers who are highly thought of from other cubs. Just saying to a new club "You have to start from scratch and compete with every other man and dog to make a roster of 30" is unreasonable. I don't know how the Dolphins did so well but I remember they took a long time to sign anybody as they kept getting knocked back.
No to expansion until the 16th and 17th ranked teams in the NRL look more competitive.
I think that the bosses of NZ Rugby are so alarmed at the poor crowds and ratings that they have encouraged refs to promote running football and less stoppages for minor offences. I could be wrong as I don't watch the game anymore.
With significant financial support and other measures such as increases in the salary cap, the NRL could offer the new clubs the opportunities to establish and grow themselves. There will always be financial backing and sponsor support. The catchment area would also play a big part. The Dolphins (Redcliff) have made significant progress from their first season with some astute buying (not forgetting the coach). The Titans have been hovering around the bottom eight but have had their moments too. Up to this season, they have been an exciting team to watch if not quite making the grade. The amalgamation of some Sydney clubs would broaden the number of players available. All this would take time and be introduced gradually but let's be positive in taking advantage of what appears to be a surge in the popularity of our sport.
Matiunz
Contributor
Canes have been a good team to watch this year some pretty decent running rugby. Part of the decline is rules favouring a more forward focused game that then invites a lot more ref involvement in close contact, the northern teams play this style moreso than down south.
Matiunz
Contributor
PNG unfortunately just doesn’t have a level of players high enough just yet. Putting in local players and you end up essentially with the Hunters who for the most part are a mid level QLD cup team. Olam is about their only NRL quality player of note, it’d be like putting a NZ team in made up of boy local comp players.
Titans really should be doing better, Kebra park is arguably one of the best schools at producing talent on their doorstep but the stink of failure means QLD players pick Brisbane and now even Dolphins over them.
Brisbane 3 won't be strong. Titans suck, how is a 4th team going to prosper against a Chch team which has the whole Sth Island behind it and plenty of Crusaders cast-offs? Perth doesn't have the passion to sustain it. AFL far bigger I believe. Fiji and PNG is a pipe dream. Politically unstable decision IMO.
