Problem is Wellington is probably not going to be able to sustain a team crowd wise or financially. And it probably also adds little to the TV deal (might boost the NZ sky deal a little but not much) it does not benefit the NRL bottom line. I'd love to see a Wellington team admitted but the lack of suitable stadium, population and value means it is unlikely anytime soon.

So that's your view from 12,000 miles away.

I think it could be a very big thing for the game, if they really plough into NZ.

Union in NZ is massive, there's no denying, but its Apparently taking a licking in Australia. If we can build on progress and make some inroads into NZ too, then its possibly the greatest move league can make in the international competition between the two codes.
SA is untouchable for League, but making inroads into NZ is a real possibility.

lol

Union in Australia is taking money from every lower level of the game to prop up the five pro clubs, and even then those mere five teams are barely hanging on.

Union in NZ is huge though, for a country that would only be the fourth biggest state in Australia... The Auckland Nines has already overtaken the Wellington Sevens and the Warriors are going from strength to strength.

Every year the NRL alone earns multiple times what the three SANZAR nations make. There are all sorts of issues with the Island nations and the IRB too, Union in the Pacific is absolutely screwed.

Interesting assessment there and not far wrong.
wellington 7s are dead........killed off by the fun police who want limits set on the amount of booze available. It was never about the rugby but instead about the fancy dress party and fancy dress doesnt work sober.
the pacific islands are rightly demanding more money and control and are getting it, so whilst they are making noises, union is still the #1 sport in fiji, samoa and tonga.
The warriors have stagnated at mt smart and it has been their on the road games that have helped their balance sheets in recent years.....if we dont get nz2 then the warriors need more games around the country.
as for australia, the irb will continue to prop them up, because they need them, but you forget they do attract fans to internationals....200,000 at home this year and then theres the match fees for the end of year tours.
The size of the nrl tv deal is meaningless in terms of the region unless some of it is spent o expansion. The 2014 samoan rl side is not expansion........it will only be expansion when they have a domestic comp feeding players to the national side

I know you are a big fan of bringing a team from Wellington into the NRL. On a personal level would you like to get involved in some capacity if this comes to fruition?

Perth and brisbane are dead certs. The NRL has taken over the WARL and rebranded it NRLWA for a reason. The NRL has put expansion firmly back on the agenda, with Perth a favourite to be offered a side when a new TV rights deal is struck. PERTH FAVOURED TO FIELD NRL TEAM The current $1.2 billion broadcast agreement finishes at the end of the 2017 season, but the NRL has confirmed expansion talks for 2018 will start next year, with plans to invest more than $200 million in the game. NRL officials were in Perth this week for discussions with State Government and local league representatives as the competition changed its name from the WARL to NRLWA. NRLWA has already registered the West Coast Pirates as the name for its franchise bid. https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport ... -nrl-team/

Perth and brisbane are dead certs. The NRL has taken over the WARL and rebranded it NRLWA for a reason. The NRL has put expansion firmly back on the agenda, with Perth a favourite to be offered a side when a new TV rights deal is struck. PERTH FAVOURED TO FIELD NRL TEAM The current $1.2 billion broadcast agreement finishes at the end of the 2017 season, but the NRL has confirmed expansion talks for 2018 will start next year, with plans to invest more than $200 million in the game. NRL officials were in Perth this week for discussions with State Government and local league representatives as the competition changed its name from the WARL to NRLWA. NRLWA has already registered the West Coast Pirates as the name for its franchise bid. https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport ... -nrl-team/

5 main differences:
1. Western Reds were financially screwed from day one due to the ARL not being able to afford expansion and making the reds pay all travel and accomodation costs for themselves and visiting teams
2. Perths population has grown nearly 500k with many of these new comers being East coast, kiwi and pommie RL fans. WA is tipped to grow another 1million over next 20 years.
3. Perth now has a decent 21,500 capacity rectangular stadium, the Reds played at the waca which was god awful for watching rl at.
4. SuperLeague war, disillusioned fans walked away from the game and caused a drop in attendances from 1995-1997
5. Decent corporate support waiting to back a club. We have a 7 figure main sponsor lined up ready to go.

A taste of what's to come when we get a team. Ground record held by rugby league. www.3news.co.nz/sport/video-all- ... z3Mit9HdMt

A taste of what's to come when we get a team. Ground record held by rugby league. www.3news.co.nz/sport/video-all- ... z3Mit9HdMt

I dislike the West Coast Pirates name. I don't know why, but it just hasn't ever sat well with me. I much preferred the Perth Reds and the simpler logo.

I agree. The Pirates name is too deferential towards a type of criminal, in fact romanticising them. Watch the film "Captain Phillips" to see how nice pirates can be.

Reds is OK but I would prefer something more imaginative, or more representative of Perth and WA. Otherwise they should choose an animal, and an impressive one. How about Perth Cougars?

Convicts has a nice ring to it

Erm. Think you'll find Keighley got there first.