Former NRL boss to head up new rugby league expansion bid – see their team name, jersey and colours

A former NRL boss has put his hand up to lead a second New Zealand team – see their team name, jersey, colours and his plans for how it will work.

Pic for NZ expansion bid

Former NRL chief executive David Moffett wants a meeting with ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys as he spearheads a bid to have a new team added to the competition on the south island of New Zealand.

Moffett, who was the NRL boss for two years before heading up Sport England and Welsh Rugby Union, is now eyeing off a return to rugby league as he looks to enter the race to win an expansion franchise when the commission decides to add more teams.

Moffett has enlisted some heavy hitters to help his cause, none bigger than former Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos – the man who was in charge when RA signed Sydney Roosters sensation Joseph Suaalii to a mega-deal.

The South Island expansion bid logo.

It is understood Marinos has already spoken to NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and the Moffett-led consortium want the chance to present their case to V’landys.

“It is a team representing the south island but based in Christchurch,” Moffett said.

“I am starting to assemble a really good bunch of people including Andy Marinos to put in a compelling bid if and when the NRL decides they want expansion.

“It has been very well received over here. It is not a little operation. This is serious.”

Under Moffett’s plan, the club would be a mix of fan and investor ownership. They would also look target a lot of the Pacific Islander players who are being poached by NRL clubs.

An artist impression of the jersey.

“We will try to stop a lot of the Pacific Islanders from going across the ditch,” Moffett said.

“They’re getting nicked by Australian teams – we will have our eyes on a lot of those boys. Imagine the State of Origin atmosphere when (we) play the Warriors.”

The bid already has a name – South Island Kea – a logo and a jersey. They would be based in Christchurch.

Moffett’s involvement comes after falling out with a rival bid – the South Island NRL bid. The South Island bid team claimed they denied an approach from Moffett to be their chairman.

South Island NRL bid chief executive Tony Kidd did not want to be drawn into a slanging match with Moffett.

“He signed an NDA,” Kidd said.

“He has decided to do his own thing. Competition is good. That’s all I want to say. It is very early in the piece but what we want to do is say we are here and we are serious.”

David Moffett was NRL CEO from 1999-2001. Picture: Roy Haverkamp

Instead that bid team is forging ahead with their own plans after representatives met Abdo and V’landys in Las Vegas.

Two of the bid teams representatives Duane Fyfe – CEO of Canterbury rugby league in New Zealand – and Kieran Bligh – who is based in New York – met with the NRL heavyweights.

Kidd said they were pushing ahead with plans to form partnerships with English Super League clubs and US investors.

“We believe PNG deserve a team but if can’t get off the ground we will be ready,” Kidd said.

“We are prepared to move some of our games around (New Zealand). We’re not worried about cannibalising the Warriors.

“You look at what happened with the Dolphins and the Broncos – Brisbane’s members have grown. We have a significant number of kids from our local area playing in the NRL from various clubs.

“We’d be ready by 2026 to go onto the field for men’s and women’s teams but definitely by 2028. By that stage we’d have lower grade teams ready.

“We understand you need to have a lot of capital. Our next step would be to continue to raise investment so the NRL can’t say no to us. We have the facilities and players. We just need a bit more investment. That’s where our main focus will be for the next six months.”

A brand new, 25,000 roofed stadium will be opened in Christchurch in 2026. South Island NRL bid wants to share the venue with Super Rugby team Crusaders.

Bronson Xerri is one of the players the bid could target. Picture: NRL Photos

With the NRL expected to announce expansion plans by the midpoint of this year, the race to become part of a bigger and worldwide competition is gaining momentum.

PNG are the frontrunner to be the 18th team while Perth has strong support to be team 19. The NRL is keen to further grow its footprint in the Pacific led by a second-team in New Zealand.

North Sydney and Newtown remain hopeful of forming a partnership with one of the expansion clubs.

Critics of growing the game point to a perceived lack of depth in the playing ranks. However, a host of big-name players including Angus Crichton, Josh Schuster, Jazz Tevaga, Connor Watson, Bronson Xerri, Te Maire Martin and Egan Butcher will play in either the NSW or Queensland Cup this weekend. Those experienced players along with rising stars such as Sualauvi Fa’alogo, Xavier Willison, Trey Mooney, Jesse McLean and Jack Howarth – who are also relegated to reserve grade – would easily help fill any new clubs.

Potential teams of NSW/Queensland Cup players

1 Sualauvi Fa’alogo

2 Dean Ieremia

3 Bronson Xerri

4 Paul Alamoti

5 Christian Tuipulotu

6 Chanel Harris-Tavita

7 Toby Sexton

8 Trey Mooney

9 Connor Watson

10 Xavier Willison

11 Josh Schuster

12 Angus Crichton

13 Jazz Tevaga

14 Toby Couchman

15 Ben Murdoch-Masila

16 Liam Knight

17 Tyrone Peachey

1 Tristian Sailor

2 Jesse McLean

3 Aaron Schoupp

4 Valynce Te Whare

5 Mathew Feagai

6 Te Maire Martin

7 Jake Clifford

8 Wiremu Greig

9 Jake Turpin

10 Matt Eisenhuth

11 Egan Butcher

12 Ryan Couchman

13 Dean Matterson

14 Makahesi Makatoa

15 Aaron Pene

16 Jack Howarth

17 Jake Simpkin

Others: Zane Tetevano, Jordan Pereira, Jack Gosiewski, Ken Maumalo , Ofahiki Ogden, Billy Burns, Brad Schneider, Zac Woolford, Simi Sasagi, Max Feagai, Dan Russell, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Semi Valemei, Viliami Vailea , Haze Dunster, Blake Mozer, Kaeo Weekes, Daine Laurie, Harrison Edwards, Matt Doorey, Peter Hola.

Originally published as Former NRL boss to head up new rugby league expansion bid – see their team name, jersey and colours