WATCH: Second New Zealand side takes aim at Warriors in new ad

A new rivalry is building in rugby league with the NRL expansion hopeful South Island Kea launching a provocative ad. WATCH the advertisement as their boss David Moffett has his say.

New Zealand’s expansion bid has ignited a rivalry with the Warriors by launching a provocative advertising campaign in which they declare that the south island is the new home of rugby league.

Bid boss David Moffett has also taken aim at his Warriors counterpart Cameron George, labelling him short sighted for comments in this masthead that there is not enough room in New Zealand for a second side.

The Christchurch-based South Island Kea are forging ahead with plans to be part of an expanded NRL competition.

While PNG’s inclusion as the 18th team is now seemingly a mere formality, the South Island bid wants to position themselves to be part of the NRL’s path to 20 teams.

The South Island Kea bid team have released a video. Pitch: Supplied

Their pitch – which is being led by ex-NRL boss Moffett – has fired a direct shot at the Warriors.

Moffett has taken exception to comments Warriors boss Cameron George made to this masthead where he said “you would not survive with a second New Zealand team right now”.

“His assertion that there isn’t enough space for a second NRL team in New Zealand is both short-sighted and dismissive of the evident passion for rugby league that thrives throughout the South Island,” Moffett said.

“The South Island Kea bid is not a challenge to the Warriors but a complementary force that can elevate the sport across New Zealand.

“It’s vital to recognise that the success of rugby league in New Zealand depends on its growth and evolution.

“The South Island Kea bid embodies the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and community that is necessary for this growth.

“Rather than seeing our bid as a threat, the Auckland Warriors should consider the broader benefits it brings to the sport and the country.

The South Island Kea bid team have released a video. Picture: Supplied

“The South Island Kea have a simple message for George; we’re coming to get you and we will put a stop to Warriors warehousing young players and weakening our local club competition.

“You can continue to call yourselves the New Zealand Warriors, but you will no longer represent the whole of NZ when The Kea enter the NRL.”

The 80 second advertisement showcases the south islands landscape from beaches to mountains and labelled the region as “the new home of rugby league in New Zealand”.

They also forecast the potential of a derby with the Warriors by declaring a “new rivalry like no other” before showing a Warrior and Kea going head to head.

David Moffett at NRL headquarters during his CEO stint.

The NRL is expected to announce plans to add PNG as the 18th team, potentially in July. There is every chance that they will also detail a road map to 20 teams, having declared over Magic Round that they were now open to holding talks with potential bid teams.

A Perth bid in partnership with North Sydney is the early favourite to be awarded one of the two licenses while the south island of NZ and Brisbane Easts appear to be locked in a battle for the final spot.

Brisbane Easts – who would be called the Firehawks – are well placed given they have former Brisbane Broncos chief executive Shane Edwards at the helm and went close to securing a licence when the Dolphins won entry as the 17th team.

Moffett has enlisted former Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos to help lobby the NRL given he is based in Sydney and has a previous relationship with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.

Originally published as WATCH: Second New Zealand side takes aim at Warriors in new ad