Rival code’s bold move in New Zealand puts the NRL to shame

A rival sports code has put the NRL to shame right when the game should be capitalising on its new-found popularity.

Shaun Johnson of the Warriors reacts after losing the NRL Preliminary Final match between Brisbane Broncos and New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

COMMENT

Anyone who predicted soccer would someday boast more professional franchises than rugby league in New Zealand would’ve been sent for a cup of warm Milo and a HIA.

But with the A-League set to launch a second NZ team in Auckland for 2024-25, soccer has not only shamefully jumped rugby league, it has shown how to properly treat a loved one.

First of all, nobody’s saying the new franchise in the Kiwi capital will have the NRL packing its dacks.

After all, it already has a shrewd strategy in place to combat soccer, and thus far planting Nathan Cleary alongside Mary Fowler seems to be raising the game’s profile considerably.

But in light of rugby league’s historical mistreatment of NZ, news of the NRL holding half the number of footprints in the region is like flowers arriving from a work colleague reminding you it’s your wife’s birthday.

Bill Foley, general partner of the global multi club football operator Black Knight Football Club (L) has been gifted the keys to the new franchise. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Rugby league’s relationship with NZ has always been skewed by a power imbalance, with Australian clubs long pillaging the region’s talent pool like it’s the cashew station at Coles.

Add to this, the game has allowed the Kiwis’ international stocks to be pillaged by emerging nations - albeit to the global game’s benefit - while also leaning heavily on the Warriors to save its ass-like finances during covid.

And what has rugby league delivered NZ in return?

The Warriors, a few Tigers home games, and Michael Maguire, but we’ve snatched him back now anyway.

And that’s about it.

In fact, the only time New Zealand is treated with value is when it’s annexed by Queensland at Origin time.

Put simply, as a major stakeholder that exists on our doorstep with a vibrant NRL presence, New Zealand should’ve had a second franchise the moment we heard Benji Marshall pronounce ‘Whakatane’.

In light of recent events, you’d even argue a third should’ve been fast-tracked when Jacinda Ardern cosied up to China.

Peter V'landys and Andrew Abdo aren’t prioritising expansion in New Zealand. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Witnessing the NRL beaten to the punch by a rival code is nothing new for rugby league, but falling asleep at the ditch in this particular p*ssing contest is a new low.

Yes, it has been neglecting our southern neighbours for years, toying with the idea of committing to a second franchise without ever really meaning it.

And in fairness, the NRL has made no secret of its expansion strategy, with recent moves relegating the NZ cause below the Pacific region, North Sydney and Vegas.

In fact, Papua New Guinea is now the unbackable favourite ever since the Albanese government pledged to fund their bid in the hope of warding-off Chinese interests using Super Saturdays.

But whatever way you look at it, being outshone by soccer when the NZ game is crying out for a hug is grade five careless.

Yes, it’s acknowledged this new A-League franchise is underpinned by private American ownership, and everyone knows how many soccer teams the USD can buy against the paltry NZ dollar.

The Warriors showed Kiwi fans love their league. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

It’s also acknowledged Australian soccer holds down new franchises like a balloon in a cyclone, and the new brand could dissipate before it even hits the ground.

But these are times when the Warriors are resurgent, the Kiwis are decimating the Kangaroos, and the All Blacks are at an all-time low after finishing a measly second in the World Cup.

Do we want to neglect NZ forever? Is the NRL content with Kiwi talent forever overlooking league in favour of chasing the highest honour in rugby union, i.e. a contract in France?

Regrettably the game will be too distracted to notice while ever it panders to various red juggernauts (China and Redcliffe).

- Dane Eldridge is a warped cynic yearning for the glory days of rugby league, a time when the sponges were magic and the Mondays were mad. He’s never strapped on a boot in his life, and as such, should be taken with a grain of salt.