I think ideally the 20th licence should go to a NZ team. Queensland has 4 teams and seems geographically covered, as well as being population apportioned around the same a NSW teams.
New Zealand really do need a second team, they should have had one some time ago.
If the Jets want a team the best course would be to convince a NSW team (or maybe the Titans) to relocate.
As much as I love the thought of an Ipswich/ Newtown Jets team, now that PNG and the Perth / Norths Bears are selected , I completely agree that number 20 must be a Christchurch team.
With the widespread interest in teams and regions to join the NRL, maybe the time is ripe for a fully fledged pacific / Australia wide 2nd division featuring teams such as;
Adelaide
Darwin
Hobart
Rockhampton
Ipswich
Wellington (NZ)
Fiji
Samoa
Tonga
Cook Islands
Geelong
Fremantle
Another team we will be the feeder club for.
Yes I am raising this from the dead based on news.
2 weeks ago at a weekend barbecue, I had some kiwi’s telling me that Christchurch was getting an NRL team before 2030 to become the 20th team. At the time I told them it was a good idea, but I thought they were getting ahead of themselves. They insisted it was going to happen.
Now watching nine news story on the NRL tv deal, Vlandys confirmed 20th team in 2029, said with a smile it could be a 2nd NZ team…pause… Or possibly another side from QLD.
Looks like Christchurch 2029 is a goer lol.
He also wants to expand beyond 20 teams, Europe and North America are mentioned. Logistics of that would be crazy for sure!
Personally I don’t see it. I see the NRL maybe becoming a dominant conference based system in Australia and New Zealand.
The NRL have laid some goo ground work by aquiring and absorbing OzTag and Touch Football Australia.
As far as an European League, the best route would to be to acquire the Super League (which includes the Betfred Championship and League One divisions) and to expand into European Countries. They have had some success in France, bu in general the ESL is a organisational nightmare collapsing under it’s own weight.
As far as the Americas… maybe Canada can rejoin the ESL… I’d leave the US alone, they only seem to be interested in sports only they compete in.
Vlandys must have been reading Mein Kampf - today Australia, tomorrow the world. Delusional.
Or as the saying goes he has been drinking to Kool Aid lol
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