Quote: Rooster Booster "With regards to NZ. Everyone talks about the strength of the game there. What is that based on?
Gutterfax? Anyone?'"
Other than the Warriors, Vulcans and U 20's, club League in New Zealand is very much a minority sport, but it is growing.
I watched my local club on Saturday..there were about 650 -700 peope at the game. One of the biggest problems League faces is its reputation as a "bad boy" sport....I caught the bus over to the game on Saturday, as last time I drove to Wainuiomata my car was broken into.....gang members are not allowed display patches at games, but when you see a group of guys all wearing red with their faces covered in tattoo's then you know the Mongrel Mob are in attendance. Mums aren't keen on their kids joining clubs where these animals hang around...but it is a problem that is diminishing.......slowly.
Up in Auckland, the schools competition seems to be getting stronger every year and the touch footie comps around the country are very League centric. Wellington colleges final in 2011 attracted a 3,000+ crowd.
I read a while back that 67% of Toyota Cup players at the 16 clubs qualified for New Zealand...maybe that's where the strength in depth comments come from? Have to say, whilst there are some stand out players in the Wellington League, the provincial championships would be of a similar standard to some of the Championship clubs in England.
Having listened to most London Broncos games this year, I reckon the Orcas would give them a run for their money
On the topic of a 2nd NZ Team......Mr Glenn as apparently said he'd prefer another northern team.....I 100% disagree. Base the 2nd team in Wellington, 6 games here, 6 in Christchurch.......sell 6 game memberships for about $200......you'd get 15k sold in both cities.....there's $6,000,000 before you've sold a shirt, cap or scarf. The "derby" match would sell out Eden Park/The Cake Tin/RL Stadium in a heartbeat.... and I'd have to sell all my warriors gear
Southern Orcas for the NRL in 2019.
