Where should rugby league and the NRL look to expand to next?
Here are the ten potential homes for new a NRL team, including their existing readiness and future potential.
Central Coast
Pros
- Ready-made stadium
- Bears brand has a legion of loyal fans scattered all over Australia awaiting their return
- Business and entrepreneur John Singleton has previously stated he would underwrite their return
- A full house every week is almost guaranteed for the rugby league-mad area
- Huge junior participation of league in the area
- With the railway station across the road and reasonably good highway system transportation to the ground is sorted
Cons
- Central Coast is far too close to Sydney and effectively you are adding another Sydney team
- Lack of sponsorship and corporate opportunities
- The population of just 325K is seen as to low to sustain a team
Expansion Potential: 10/10
Perth
Pros
- The West has an appetite for rugby league. The Western Reds had been reasonably successful prior to the Super League war in the mid 90's
- They have a good rectangular stadium at NIB stadium
- The ability to have a game well into the evening in the East is a good a money spinner
- The abandonment of the Super rugby Team means there is no form of professional "rugby "on the west coast of Australia
- A-league Perth Glory owner Tony Sage and former Balmain Great Benny Elias have been behind the scenes wanting to underwrite a Perth Pirates bid
Cons
- All teams require a squad of 30 players. What do the players not involved in the first-grade games do?
Expansion Potential: 10/10
2nd Brisbane team
Pros
- To end Brisbane Broncos monopoly
- With a population of 2.4 million, a second team sustainable
- Can share Suncorp Stadium
- Corporate and sponsorship potential
- Existing consortium Brisbane Bombers
Cons
- Broncos are so entrenched, will there be enough support for a new team?
- It may impact the traditional QLD competition
Expansion Potential: 10/10
Wellington, New Zealand
Pros
- Expand on the market for rugby league in New Zealand
- The existence of a consortium trying to set up a team to play Super League UK. If they could try and to exist in a competition based out of the UK, they could easily base their team in the NRL.
- Domination of the old NYC cup competition suggests there is a big talent pool of potential payers
Cons
- The main stadium the "cake tin" is not suited for rugby league
- The popularity of rugby union would drown out any publicity for league therefore corporate and crowd support would be minimal
- Can NRL be rewarded financially by having two New Zealand teams
Expansion Potential: 5/10
Papua New Guniea
Pros
- In a country where rugby league is a national sport and almost a religion, Papua New Guinea is truly rugby league mad
- Surprise QLD Cup winners in 2017 the Papua New Guinea Hunters have shown that they are not just a novelty
- Crowd support will never be a concern, only to security perhaps
- Port Moresby 320K population where games will be played out of a completely redeveloped 15K capacity home ground
Cons
- Financial concerns and lack of corporate support will be the major hindrance. The Papua New Guinea government might underwrite the team
- The lack of players that would relocate to Papua New Guinea means they would have to rely on their own resources to maintain playing stocks
- The security of players and entourage
Expansion Potential: 7/10
Cairns
Pros
- Large rugby league supporter base in the region
- They have a good junior base that has supplied many NRL players
- They are currently represented by the Northern Pride in the Intrust QLD Cup
Cons
- A small population of 150K
- No stadium
Expansion Potential: 3/10
Sunshine Coast
Pros
- Has a population base of 300K and growing
- Need for a national sporting footprint is much needed. As the netball team, The Lightning, proved as Premiers in their first season, the potential for sporting representation is huge
- The Falcons play in the Intrust QLD Cup acting as a feeder Club for the Melbourne Storm
Cons
- The lack of a sporting venue to host NRL. The local stadium would need to be redeveloped
- With no consortium, they are well behind other hopefuls
Expansion Potential: 8/10
Ipswich (Northern Corridor)
Pros
- Ipswich area is projected to rise from 200K to 430K by 2030 so it is not if but when in regards to population
- Ipswich Jets being a constant in the QLD competitions over the years
- Large junior base all things look promising for a potential bid in future years
Cons
- Without a quality venue, Ipswich will not be considered until the QLD government invest in a new stadium
- No consortium exist
Expansion Potential: 7/10
Fiji
Pros
- Growing rugby league nation
- Existing professional rugby union team playing in main Australian rugby team competition
- Intrust NSW Cup bid
- Great away fan trip
Cons
- Lack of corporate or sponsorship
- Financial instability
- Rugby union have a stronghold
- Lack of stadium
Expansion Potential: 3/10
Adelaide
Pros
- The Rams left a footprint in the 90's
- Great stadium
Cons
- Not enough interest, AFL mad state already
- Little or no rugby league local competition
- No known consortium
Expansion Potential: 4/10
what do you think? Where should league look at future expansion?
Comments are closed.