Former Kiwis international Hugh McGahan has made a radical suggestion for a possible New Zealand NRL expansion side, saying they should be based in Christchurch as part of the Crusaders Super Rugby franchise.
On Wednesday, the NRL announced that Redcliffe would become the competition’s 17th side, with super coach Wayne Bennett expected to lead Queensland's fourth franchise from 2023
While the Dolphins haven't even played a game, talks have already begun about an 18th franchise in the coming years, with many experts pushing for a second New Zealand team to compete alongside the Warriors.
But McGahan feels if a New Zealand side was to start from scratch, they would need to have a strong support team around them.
In order to help attract big name players and coaches to the upstart franchise, he feels the best way to do that is by joining forces with Super Rugby powerhouses the Crusaders.
“A we've seen with the Dolphins, you have to have the right coach to attract people who want to come to New Zealand,” he said on SENZ Extra Time.
“The Warriors have been around for 25 years and they're still struggling to attract big name players to New Zealand.
“I'm going left field here, I would look at a team in Christchurch and I would link it with the Crusaders. You have an infrastructure right away, you have a base and culture you can draw off and ride in off the experience of what the Crusaders are doing.
“They've proved over many years, that they're good at their job and everyone else has been chasing their tail for a long time. That's where I'd look to base a team.
“Canterbury is a sports mad province, and you would have a better base there, compared to Wellington.”
Sir Graham Lowe felt McGahan made a strong case, but had his doubts about the proposal, saying it doesn't matter too much where the team is based.
“The best sporting structure in the country is at the Crusaders. They've proved it time and time again,” he told Extra Time.
“On a daily basis, I see millions of Benji Marshall's running around stepping lampposts and doing flick passes. All they need is hope.
“At the Crusaders, they give players hope, so if there is to be another New Zealand franchise, they have to have a similar mindset.”
Lowe went on to add that the Warriors have been their own worst enemy at times, and have failed to take chances for a fresh start.
“Where many have been disappointed with the Warriors is that they've had the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start again in many areas,” Lowe added.
“You can't scramble an egg without breaking it open. It's not a popularity contest, sometimes you have to what needs to be done to get the result.
“With the Dolphins, there is blank piece of paper and they will make one single mistake and they've started with Wayne Bennett.
“You don't start with the cheapest, they went out there and got the best coach possible.”
Listen to the full chat here