I think it's rather alarming that the NZRL don't even have a plan or a strategy. They seem to be light-years behind the ARL and RFL in terms of developing the sport, and seem to be in a similar position as France. Unfortunately for France, they can't piggy-back on the RFL's work as much as the NZRL can on the ARL's work (developing juniors for their international teams for example).

Perhaps they should merge with the ARL and for a continental governing body? Rename to the Oceania Rugby League or something and then from there the next level could be NSWRL, QRL and NZRL as regional governing bodies? The populations are similar. The game may be a lot better run in NZ then, and may perhaps unlock a lot more potential for funding and other avenues of income in these areas.

I get the feeling this was going to be a case of "See, new Zealand have more playing League than we do.....oh...hang on....this isn't working out how I expected...."


The game in NZ is run by idiots. The only good things that come out for New Zealand Rugby League are taught how to play the game by us might Australians.

there was talk of the arl taking over.

they just won the WC, have loads of players to pick from for the kiwi team so its all quite good.

its just that theyve mismanaged their finances and arent doing a great job of their own little patch.

the bit connnected with the nrl team is doing quite well.

when youve got 16 nrl clubs looking for juniors in nz, what the nzrl does is a bonus

They have loads of players to pick from that they didn't develop. They're development plan seems to be to ship any decent players over to Aus. They don't really seem to be able to do anything right! Apart from this last year, participation numbers were decreasing, they were losing money, the international team just got battered in a series because they picked a duff coaching set-up, the local league went down the pan. What are the NZRL actually doing?!

Get the ARL in and have them develop them. At least they'll have strategies then.

From such a small playing group they produce far and above more 1st grade players than anywhere! I think the fact hoards of them move to Australia when they are 10 then are the biggest kids in school and so get into the teams helps.

yes you are right

but at least someone is doing a good job

its more NRL clubs that are doing it on their own though

when the warriors made the GF in 2002 many clubs got their own scouts looking over nz for talent trying to get players over

other players have come over on their own looking for a contract.

there are loads of sonny bill williams out there waiting to play RL.

what will help is when the next lot of TV deals are done which will see the NRL get a much better TV relative to the Super 14. at that stage the NRL will be able to offer wages of around $1 million for the top players which will see us attract loads of players.

Just imagine how good they could be if they could double the number of players then. If a lot of the talented players in the NRL come from the small group of players in NZ then perhaps the NRL should look at best ways to expand this if they want to increase the intensity of their competition?

Second club in NZ, surely?

I though RL has boomed in NZ after the World Cup. I was told the Auckland Warriors are getting 25,000 to 30,000 for friendlies?

That's spectators, though. Spectators don't always translate to participation.

You know what they say...

If you can, do. If you can't, teach.