Second NZ team "10 years away" as NRL prepares to bolster grassroot programs

A second New Zealand-based NRL team is reportedly at least ten years away as the NRL instead focus on strengthening grassroot influences across the ditch.

With the rise of the Warriors, the NRL is formulating a plan to wrestle back some of rugby union’s dominance in New Zealand by attempting to establish better junior programs to ensure the best young talent in the country are choosing league over union.

SEN's Michelle Bishop revealed that Warriors CEO Cameron George believes that a second New Zealand team would be too premature given the lack of grassroot competitions and programs.

“George believes it would be too early… to add a team, a second team, across the ditch at the moment. He says we need to implement long term strategy, invest in the grassroot. He’s sort of looking at 10 years,” Bishop said on Breakfast with Vossy and Brandy.

“The NRL doesn’t have a single schoolboy or schoolgirl competition program or even any ambassador program that runs in the junior leagues over there in New Zealand. I think it’s a no brainer invest in the school system.

“If we’re investing and we’re getting those players early, we’re nipping it in the bud and getting them to stay in rugby league. The Pacific Island kids, they’re coming to Auckland and playing union. It’s our job to not just steal them but get them while they’re over in the Pacific Islands.”

Bishop said that the increase in support and hype for the Warriors is helping rugby league’s battle over juniors, and this plan has been building for many years.

“The rise of the Warriors has been huge. The record crowds, the TV ratings, it certainly captures the attention of what can come out of New Zealand, and another sold out (crowd) so it was nine consecutive games the Warriors have been completely sold out across the ditch,” Bishop cited.

“Phil Gould was working with the warriors for that short stint (in 2020). He brought this to the attention of the Warriors and worked with Cam George even back then so this has been talked about for some time… Cam George did approach the NRL with a few suggestions on how to tackle this huge issue.”

The Warriors’ celebrated another sold-out crowd with a close 24-20 victory over The Dolphins, despite missing nine of their first-choice players.