The REALITY Behind NRL Expansion

[@TheLeaguie]

Who would YOU Like to see be teams #18, #19 and #20 in the NRL? 💚

[@LukeCordner]

It’s gotta be Perth, PNG and Christchurch. PNG was a done deal as soon as the government stepped in

[@cumbrianmackem9296]

My personal preference would be #18 Perth/western #19 Christchurch/South Island and #20 Brisbane 3. What I think we’ll see #18 PNG, #19 Perth/western and #20 Brisbane 3.

[@TOTN17]

Perth, Christchurch and Adelaide

[@jacobjgleggy1854]

Perth, Adelaide and French Polynesia

[@redthezz]

PNG, Hobart, and a second Melbourne team :)

[@sanjibmt]

As a Papuan who lives in Perth. Pls bring it to Perth. Perth has a good stadium and more importantly already has junior development programs

[@vlockley]

imagine if PNG win a premiership before the Warriors.

[@NRL_Editzz13]

imagne

[@goku335]

That’s was low 😂😂😂

[@DaMuss-e2w]

ouch, I would be happy for them over any other NRL team but that would hurt in a way.

[@KanyeKetchup]

As long as they have the right scouts anything possible. Warriors scouts missed Asofa Solomona & Joey Manu & Jared Hargreaves & Brandon Smith & Benji Marshall & many more

[@DaMuss-e2w]

@@KanyeKetchup They had Katoa the edge forward who was in the grandfinal with the Storm this year and played for Tonga beating the kiwis on their squad and let him go!!

[@ThatOneAussie42]

Southern Orcas goes so hard, no team currently uses the black and white palette and the NZ derby would be amazing if they could gain support similar to the Wahs.

[@katrinabates762]

If they could, I’d love to see them incorporate some red (Canterbury) and blue (Otago) into their colours.

[@kurupt7154]

It’s a difficult one because so many people already support the warriors because it was our only team but if it’s done properly it could work out

[@PoppinC-l3w]

They should just call themselves New Zealand Orcas. The Warriors is going to draw fans from all of NZ. North Island has 4M people and South Island just over 1M people. It makes no sense for NZ teams to go out of their way to restrict the size of their fanbase.

[@xjdwc]

@@PoppinC-l3w Agreed!

[@albertmiller2electricbooga897]

I'm a biased West Aussie but what sort of national league doesn't have teams west of Melbourne? The game could grow so much more with a Perth team than by expanding into current markets, it's kinda selfish to get a QLD team in ahead of anywhere else as well

[@merkins87]

It's a scary financial risk to cross the Barassi line. Would like to see Perth get in on the action though.

[@craigdougls2966]

100 million dollar megs club house and backing , need no help from NRL , how his Perth going to fund itself, do they have spoke driven club

[@adammaggs8563]

@@merkins87 AFL never thought so. and Melbourne do pretty well.

[@PjRjHj]

​@@craigdougls2966 a WA club would support itself the same way other WA based professional sporting clubs support themselves. Sponsors and Memberships. WA sporting fans are culturally conditioned to the membership model, while the NRL only started pushing it a decade or so ago

[@c.tapine]

Wake up the leauguie has posted🔥

[@Greencobra937]

I am awake

[@jamesgozzo7860]

imagine an island of origin to give some of the new zealand lads that don’t play in origin a chance i reckon it could kick off

[@kurupt7154]

It’s just be called North vs South

[@howgoodistravel]

I think you'd have to go Auckland vs The Rest, which works anyway because everyone hates Auckland.

[@icefarrow7959]

​@@kurupt7154That's the name of the inter-island union competition. So no, it'd have to be something else.

[@TheWogBirdofParadise]

After oscillating between for and against, I think it's in Australia's best interest. PNG, in my opinion and in many others who have a better notion than I do in terms of historical and diplomatic ties between our two nations, is deserving of this. Simply due to the fact that PNG is a little sibling to Australia. It's a relationship that many Australians don't truly understand its salience. It may seem like a risky move due to what Aus will spend and sure, PNG has many other aspects to prioritise, but I just think it'll do both the Pacific nation, Australia and the NRL good on so many levels that perhaps we won't see in the short term. Long live the PNG-Aussie relationship. We need each other. 🇵🇬🇦🇺

[@TheLeaguie]

Well said, and yeah politically speaking I definitely don’t disagree with that. There’s going to be a heap of good that comes out of it. Personally though - my only real concern is the growth of Rugby League, and I do think there are more compelling options towards that goal

[@PoppinC-l3w]

Australia spends almost $5B on foreign-aid each year. Spending $10M of that for 10 years on a PNG NRL team is something that will have solid results and is long overdue.

[@Mac-jx8uj]

​@@TheLeaguie The NRL is not supposed to be a political party ? And if it's about sporting diplomacy between the two countries where's the ARL in all this ?

[@TheLeaguie]

@@Mac-jx8uj V'landys is the ARLC chairman. The ARL are actually far more front and centre on this than the NRL are tbf.

[@Mac-jx8uj]

@TheLeaguie oh ok thanks for that mate ,I wasn't shore cheers 👍

[@alexneale]

I think the only thing I've ever properly disagreed with you on is the idea that PNG shouldn't get an expansion team because it already has a market. It will only grow as a market if they get an NRL team because it'll be the first really major thing league in the country can rally around, or at least one that hapens more than every four years. Gill McLaughlan said the same thing for the AFL, and so they got the Gold Coast before Tasmania, which is pretty widely agreed 15 years later as an absolutely maniacal decision. And now, with Tassie actually coming into the AFL, look how much fanfare it got - it has nearly twice as many paying members as the next biggest club, more than half the members of the entire NRL combined, and is still like four years from actually playing a game. Meanwhile, GC has the least members of any AFL club, so look where appealing to new markets got them. PNG's world class fandom should be rewarded and invested in, not punished. That's not to say I don't agree with basically everything else you say though - lots of love keep up the quality content !!

[@TheLeaguie]

Yeah I mean I’m a relentless expansionist. I’d rather bring in one new fan than reward 10 fans who are already fairly committed to the game. I’ve got nothing but love for PNG and their fans, I adore the Kumuls, but they’d follow our game religiously whether or not they had a team there. That’s just something I find it hard to look beyond

[@TheBillABCTV]

Western Bears as 18th side, PNG 19th side. 20th side Jets [Ipswich and Newtown Jets] home games in QLD wearing Ipswich colours for all home games, for their away games in the Newtown colors as Blue away jumper and white clash jumper with all uniforms in the Newtown design..

[@DaMuss-e2w]

Noice

[@danielmoss895]

@@DaMuss-e2w This but with a Christchurch-based NZ team over PNG as the 19th team. I agree with the Leaguie. A north and south island rivalry would boost the popularuity of league in NZ exponentially and take a bite out of Rugby's dominance. Furthermore, I aslo don't like the idea of Albo spending my taxes on setting up a club in another country. I would be less concerned about that money being put into grass roots developments in that country in order to find more gun players to compete for an Australian or NZ-based club. Thirdly, the PNG climate is not suitable for lNRL. Townsville is bad enough, even in winter, never mind first 10 rounds and pre-season.

[@tigerwalccer]

Great video 🐐. I was for the PNG bid until your other expansion vid and I realise that PNG might not be the best place to put a team. I don’t think we should have another QLD team. I think Perth and South Island NZ are great though

[@MerilynVvaria]

Thank you, Australia, for lifting up PNG...its about time... " The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angles" PNG NRL TEAM will come alive again🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@PAHS4EVER]

3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS LEGEND LEAGUIE IS GOATED💚💚💚💚🐐🐐🐐🐐

[@lynxraide]

8:00 no more teams from NSW or Qld. You want to grow the game, you need to go into other markets instead of going to the same wells over and over again. While Brisbane can handle a second team, to me they should have been after a couple of teams from untapped markets. One of the common quotes I hear is "There aren't enough players to go around" and that's cause you have 10 teams in NSW and 4 in Queensland, and you need to go into other markets to grow new players

[@TheLeaguie]

Yeah agreed 100%. I doubt it’ll happen but Central QLD is definitely being spoken about, so was worth mentioning

[@graguitar6493]

As the storm have already proven the game won't grow in AFL states. The storm have been in for 26 years and still have to poach qlders and NSW juniors. The Perth side will be no different. The only positive to having sides in these states is league fans from Qld and NSW who now reside in these afl states get to see their teams play there. Otherwise it's all just money for the boys. It's total 🐂💩 that North's, Wests and Balmain got fucked over whilst Souths had to fight their way back

[@camk6847]

Thank you for the well made videos brother. Taking accountability for the Perth video shows your professionalism and responsibility to your audience. As a NRL fan living in America, these videos are always great. 🤙

[@TheLeaguie]

Thank you mate, that means a lot. Glad I can help facilitate you following our great game 💚

[@Damonicus1]

Like the idea of a second NZ team. They could host an ANZAC Day clash that would be a massive draw. Hoping the Perth team comes through, I think they could have their games against the Warriors at North Sydney to eliminate the expansive travel times for that clash.

[@DaMuss-e2w]

Imagine being the Warriors and one week playing the PNG team away, Followed by the Perth Team Away? Or vice versa? Ouch.

[@Mac-jx8uj]

It's just gotta be Perth and not Perth / bears if it was ever going to be a merger it should have been with Wests ? What was so wrong with the Western Reds ! P.S Where are all these new first graders coming from ? Where ! The comp is so lopsided now with the haves and have nots ? Just saying no reserve grade no colts no f- all and don't tell me NSW/Qld cups it's still a big step to NRL level plus you'd just be robbing Peter to pay Paul ! We would actually be better of fostering them two comps first . Some times the NRL is that sterile I prefer to watch both NSW/Qld cup footy .

[@icefarrow7959]

No one outside of Auckland really plays league. Even less in the South Island: that's the union stronghold. The reason the Warriors are successful is because it's one team covering a whole country. A second Kiwi NRL would spectacularly fail.

[@jerrydea4u]

Great content Leaguie

[@jefferykaupa5118]

Stop all your negative comments and embrace positive development & change. Congrats to both Australia & PNG.

[@TheLeaguie]

I definitely wasn’t negative for the sake of it in this video. But if you think I was, I encourage you to watch the video I just uploaded today

[@davidpickford.]

I'll give you the 4 best options for the next 3 expansion teams 1. West Coast Pirates (WA) in my opinion Perth/WA is the strongest bid in terms of growing the game and the ability to be successful long term. 2. South Island Kea (based at Christchurch) with rugby league becoming more and more popular in NZ i believe the market is big enough to support a 2nd team. This would also create a NZ derby creating more interest in the game over there. 3. Fiji (possible names, Flyers, Orcas, Kings) Fiji is a lot safer than PNG and has better infrastructure making it more appealing for players and their families to relocate there. 4. Adelaide Rams, would probably struggle more than the other 3 bids with support and crowd numbers being an AFL stronghold but over time I think the city could get behind a team

[@chocolatemilk2934]

I don't think adelaide will get a team again because the leauge stuck in adelaide

[@peterkehoe481]

​@@chocolatemilk2934Tbf there is a small community growing of us from NSW/Qld who call SA home these days and it could work. Especially as the cost of living crisis forces people from NSW & Qld to keep moving here.

[@clairegrey-sinclair8691]

I don’t think Fiji will be able to hold big capacity events

[@NeelsVonMolendorff]

and on that canterbury/christchurch area have some good league teams 16s even beat the auckland sides , there's quite a bit of talent down there.

[@peterkehoe481]

@@chocolatemilk2934 The Rams had higher crowds than quite a few Sydney clubs when they played in the league.

[@katrinabates762]

I’m from Christchurch and I was initially gunning for the Kea, but the Southern Orcas bid is growing on me especially now I’ve seen what appears to be the logo. I think I would have to see what the jersey would look like, but if I was asked to vote between the two, right now, by a photo finish, I’d say the Southern Orca is my preferred option.

[@Tom-pk4zd]

Great video bro!! Really enjoyed this

[@Alex333_]

I do have my concerns around a PNG team but I will accept that it has already happened and there will still be some positives. I think Perth and south island are the other most logical places for the league to expand

[@itakuna1396]

The PNG Team is coming to stay, say what ever you like to say, you have the right to your opinion

[@yamalenthusiast]

i reckon they should include relegation and promotion, so that the team that gets the wooden spoon will go to second grade, while the top team in nsw/qld cup play 1 game to see who gets promoted

[@jaredmartin6257]

I want nothing more than for PNG to succeed. But, I just have a bad feeling that that could turn into the Rugby League version of Fyer Fest if it's not properly invested into and supervised. It's a challenge. But, I'm curious to see how it does.

[@andrewattenboroughtwothumb4697]

Another nz team would be great but love the old teams coming back like Rams and bears relaunch

[@jr.3308]

PNG is going to happen. Hate it because of the logistics (nothing against their wonderful fans), but it's crazy to think that this little old game we love is now being used as a pawn between powerful governments. Perth and South Island make sense as the 19th and 20th. Also, great content mate! Gained a new subscriber. Keep it up!

[@PoppinC-l3w]

The guys behind the New Zealand Warriors gave an interview saying NZ shouldn't have a second NRL club in 10 years because it wouldn't be able to match the size and popularity of the Warriors. He's insane. Any second NZ team is going to have a decent fanbase right from the jump. If they perform well, they'll grow even faster. This is the time for a second team, it shouldn't happen within the 2030s. Rugby League has grow tremendously in the Pacific Islands over the last decade, but is holding itself back in NZ where it can be so much bigger. RL could slowly rival Rugby Union in NZ with a second club.

[@icefarrow7959]

No, the reasons he gave was that it would cannibalise the Warriors, and the sport hasn't grown big enough yet to justify two teams. He said the only reason the Warriors are as popular as they are is because they are the only team for the whole country, and he's right. I hate the idea of a second Kiwi team.

[@MrStebe]

There’s a 1300km gap between Redcliffe and Townsville full of hardcore fans, so CQ is a great shout. They pump out the likes of Hunt, Munster, Grant and Cotter. Absolutely deserving of a team.

[@Updasharkies]

cairns christchurch and perth

[@danefisher6198]

I think the PNG/Cairns 🐊 is better for Player’s & their Families, & less travel for Away Games! But play Home Games in PNG!😎👍

[@vlockley]

Peter V said that all 20 teams will be up and running by the Brisbane Olympics and that the NRL would do a showcase there.

[@paulmcdougall4851]

I actually think that @everybody should forget about PNG, it’s way too risky to even contemplate about putting a team there.

[@Unbearable.Unbearable]

If PNG get in, they will have to be very careful who they sign. Imagine the likes of Todd Carney, Curtis Scott, Willie Mason, Anthony Watts, Josh Dugan, Julian O' Neill and many more on the loose in Port Moresby. There's a lot that could go wrong up there, including fatalaties.

[@christopherpointer6155]

I still like the idea of the Western Bears bid, I feel like Perth deserves it more than PNG. Like my expanision bid would be Western bears 18th , South Island Kea 19th or possibly a Adelaide or another QLD team as the 20th?

[@aussielution]

Its called National Rugby League but yet we're predominantly based in the east coast. Have 18 as the Perth Bears, 19 as an Adelaide side, then have 20 as a PNG team that plays an occasional home game in Darwin

[@RugbyLeagueHistory]

Perth is the most logical choice for me. It is a tough market to break into though, they are AFL mad, plus you have a successful basketball team there, a football team, cricket, rugby union etc.

[@bman3074]

20th AFL is most likely going to Perth which is more competition. Perth isnt the slam dunk everyone thinks it will be

[@DSP-94]

NZ's annual national high school league tournament has always been won by Aucklands top secondary schools. However last year St Thomas of Canterbury from Christchurch won it for the first time then went back to back by winning this year. Both times against one of Aucklands top schools. League is on the rise in Nz but especially in the South Island. Its only a matter of time before we see more talent come through.

[@haydenthomas1760]

1. I don’t want my team to be a Sydney identity that doesn’t have any relevance to WA. There’s 1000 other things to name it before the Bears. 2. I believe a PNG/Cairns team is a more enticing prospect for Players to live and the Government to sell the public

[@TheLeaguie]

On 1, I think it just ensures that they’ll have support when they play away on the west coast. To be honest I do like that idea. On 2, maybe so but then to what extent is it a PNG team? Could be done but obviously PNG would be a lot less keen

[@PjRjHj]

​@@TheLeaguie putting a team in Perth should be about Perth, not the East Coast. Not Perth's job to fill east coast grandstands and control east coast tv remotes.

[@jayannan9897]

PNG is simple. It's political, PNG has gold and everyone wants it. China made an offer so Australia gave PNG a footy team because China doesn't play footy. It's that simple ✌

[@NickStevens-o7n]

That's it mate. It's welcome China to our North or NRL.

[@TheRedV-odcast]

I will play halfback for the 20th team. (I couldn’t play at club level💀)

[@DaMuss-e2w]

have fun Tackling edge forwards like Kikau or Olakau'atu.

[@TheRedV-odcast]

@ plan my funeral😂

[@jamespond5848]

Melbourne should get a 2nd team. A-League has put 3 here and Melbourne now is the most populous city in Oz. If there's a derby here, will create more interest for both teams. I get it if people don't like Melbourne but for growth of the game and for commercial growth its a no brainer. AFL spent a couple of hundred million for their 2nd Sydney team and continue to support it, NRL needs to have a 2nd team in Melbourne too

[@TheLeaguie]

It’s a good point, and having a game a week in Melbourne would be very solid. My concern is that we’re still yet to see juniors come out of Victoria after 20 years of Storm presence. But maybe a second team could help drive that

[@jamespond5848]

@TheLeaguie A game a week is essential in a market where 10 Victorian AFL teams can get atleast 5 games a week. You can't expect a game a fortnight to bring growth, you need weekly games to keep fan interest for the entirety of the season. A game a week, a local rivalry gets fans involved, provides talking points for fans and local media (SEN sports radio is 24/7 here in Melbourne) and will also make the local fans feel like its their game instead of a Sydney sport - which is currently how its looked at now. The NRL will never threaten the AFL in their market without a 2nd team while AFL has 2 teams in both the NRL States. As far as lack of junior growth is concerned, that's a 100% on the NRL imo. And here's the reason why... RANT ALERT!! The AFL spent $200 million on the GWS Giants in 2011 and both the Giants and the Swans benefit from their NATIONAL Auskick Juniors program. NRL by contrast in Victoria: Storm's juniors that goes for ages 6-12 and then nothing and club football is virtually non-existent. AFL has State Football competitions in both NSW and QLD because they feel that they should develop talent in the most populous state. AFL even allows Sydney teams to run academies to develop talent and keep most of their players even though they have a draft in place. There is NO State Competition in Victoria for NRL and they don't care about investing to develop any talent or their game here. If the NRL with multi-billion dollar TV Rights revenue cannot grow and promote their game while the AFL can, questions need to be asked. Melbourne just overtook Sydney as the most populous city, the fact that a 2nd Melbourne team in one of the biggest commercial markets in the country isn't even thought of or talked about says it all. AFL is spending and investing to grow their game in NRL markets for the future while the NRL's spending/investment is no where near the same level. Even the A-League with a fraction of NRLs money has managed to do better...

[@Unbearable.Unbearable]

If Melbourne storm were less successful, they would get low levels of support and probably not be viable. A second Melbourne team will unlikely be as successful on the field as Storm, and if they are, it will come at the expense of the Storm. Storm are parasites in terms of plucking good juniors away from clubs in other states.

[@Greencobra937]

Hi league how are you doing? I love this vid is really good I love your vids overall

[@jettumbs3605]

STAND ASIDE, Here come the Western Bears!

[@davidlumsden8958]

I live in WA, and wouldn’t mind a team over here. However, I think it makes more sense to have teams in places where people care about League. The point you’ve made about having already captured the PNG market, I think puts the cart before the horse.

[@TheLeaguie]

I hear what you’re saying - but I’m looking at it from a perspective of using a team to attract new fans. I think that goal is best achieved by putting it in a market where we don’t already have a solid foothold

[@leighreganarblaster9852]

NRL need a team in South Australia it be call Port Adelaide-Western Suburbs Magpies. They can play in their black and white prison bars and in NSW the old Western Suburbs jumper. One play one or v two at magpies home gourd

[@Creativenativesaustralia]

Sunshine Coast need a team!

[@bman3074]

This wld be awesome

[@dinosaucers6704]

People saying players won't go to PNG have obviously never worked a terrible job that pays a high income

[@TheLeaguie]

Some definitely will. I expect they’ll attract a lot of guys in the last 1-2 years of their career who want a final payday. But will those guys truly be happy? Will they be proud to put on that jersey?

[@danefisher6198]

@@TheLeaguie that didn’t Work for Souths back in the day, they ended up out of the Comp! Once they got back in after a few years they changed tack with Russell & Peter buying experience & youth in Nigel Vagana, Roy Asotasi with 🐰🩸of Merritt & Sutto turning the Club around!💯 Great Vid, Leaguie!👍👍

[@adammaggs8563]

Have said before and will say again. Perth team first, capturing AFL fans and NSW/QLD Expats, potentially good Kiwi pop and potential for Saffa's to get around league too. Big population and getting new non-league fans. Already have HCF park which hosts the glory and force 2nd team based in Christchurch. Orcas or Kea (I like the Kea personally), gets South Island their own team. Gets rugby fans and creates a rivalry with Wahs, and another pathway to get players to play league, and strengthens League in NZ. New stadium in christchurch and good one in Dunedin for a game or two to capture people from Otago. 3rd team in Adelaide, again captures a big city market and gets a 3rd team in AFL territory. Again has the infrastructure in Coopers (Hindmarsh) Stadium that hosts United. Timeline something like 2027, 2030 & 2033. As much as i love league it doesn't have much a presence in the rest of the country outside Melbourne except for Origin and it would be great to change that rather than having a team in a 3rd world country and a 3rd Brisbane team. But idk I'm a sportslover and probably straddle the views of Leaguie's and AFL supporters. Not everyone is as progressive as myself, most Sydneysiders i've met hate AFL (using a well-known slur). Treat it like a war of I like league so hate anything else

[@mikeyc7m]

any chance we could see the adelaide rams?

[@maryking2796]

❤

[@chris.simmonds]

I like the idea of a second team in NZ. It’s worth noting that the A-League soccer has had a team from Wellington since 2007 and the new Auckland team started this year. If they can be successful in a union dominated country, surely a NZ NRL derby is something that can work?

[@icefarrow7959]

Soccer has been the most popular sport in NZ for decades, eclipsing all the others. The only reason it took until now for Auckland FC to return was a lack of financial backing.

[@chriskelly9476]

There are plenty of Kiwi, South African and English rugby fans in Perth, plus we have a stadium teady to go and junior development programs. Qld and NSW have enough teams already.

[@michaelstk2817]

There’s heaps of kiwi league supporters in W.A who are hanging out for a local NRL club to connect with. Bring the NRL to Perth asap!

[@kaisahfx1246]

they are going to lose a tone of money with this new franchise but as long as the Australian government keeps giving them cash itll be fine and trust me both parties will sign off on this because there definitely more to it than helping PNG

[@HM-yv2wt]

Im from the lower north island of NZ... Plenty of us would support a south island team!

[@jaganath69]

PNG, Perth and South Island of NZ. If not PNG, I would like to see a Pacific Islands team based in Fiji.

[@LazMan-w2g]

Was reading that Warriors owner and bosses don't think NZ should have a 2nd team for another 10-15 years. Graham Lowe is behind the Southern Orcas bid and he said they have the talent to make an immediate impact and want to be a club that develops talent rather than recruit it like the Warriors do. Personally I think its just protectionism by the Warriors, and a 2nd would be great fir NZ League.

[@danielkelly4487]

In a perfect world I’d get rid of a couple of Sydney teams have a wa side , nz side , Pacifica side based in cairns with home games spread over the Pacifica nations and cairns over png another brissy side or sunny coast

[@joeschannel246]

My main issue with the South Island team is will it generate enough interest to support a club? Christchurch itself has a population just higher than south Auckland and Auckland as a whole is closing in on twice the population of the entire south island.

[@TheLeaguie]

The smaller population is an issue - but the South Island still has 1.1 million people. That’s a fairly solid market imo

[@joeschannel246]

Yeah nah. Outside of greater chch, which being said is half the south island population, it is pretty sparse.

[@bellingdog]

The NRL needs to actually look at pathways in PNG. It is crazy that Samoa, Tonga and (usually) Fiji beatta country bigger than all 3 of them put together who have Rugby League as their national game and are the closest country to Australia. There should be 2 or 3 PNG players in each club, yet there is a problem with the pathways there.

[@TheLeaguie]

Yeah I mean that’s more to do with how many people from Samoa, Tonga and Fiji have moved to Sydney, and have had kids who are NRL players. Few of the guys who played for those countries this year actually grew up there

[@DjDmt]

We need a team here in Perth.

[@pwokaren]

We hope WA gets our own team. Otherwise it’s not a national league. Come on you Western Bears 🔥👏🏻

[@PjRjHj]

The Bears are being forced on WA with WA expected to pickup the tab to the tune of $450 million

[@CraigHopwood]

I would be very careful if I was the commission why because of the all government kaos around the world at the moment

[@tallaganda83]

Western Reds or Pirates, stuff the bears

[@NRLHEAD3214]

The weed number caught me off guard

[@TerenceMose]

PNG Team will win a Premiership and become the backbone of the NRL. Your talking about a country which eats and sleeps Rugby League. We love being the under dogs and will prove all the critics wrong.

[@TheLeaguie]

I really hope you do, that’d be awesome.

[@samphelps856]

Good video!

[@TheLeaguie]

Thank you! 💚

[@mixmmick]

I think Perth will happen, it’s a market that has massive potential. Personally I love it to be the Western Reds, but Western Bears is fine with me (I liked North Sydney back in the day). NRL need to pull their finger out. PNG on the other hand, what a disaster that will be. South Island NZ would be a better option, my mum was from the South Island (passed away in 2013), though was more a Union than league fan, though she liked the western reds having lived in Perth for 40 years.

[@xjdwc]

18) Perth (Bears/Pirates) 19) NZ (Orcas) 20) Adelaide (Rams)

[@NoovaRB]

I’m just worried that there won’t be enough talent to fill 3 more teams; especially with how quickly the NRL want to move.

[@TheLeaguie]

It’s definitely worth considering, but there’s such a high volume of quality juniors coming through right now. And with the continued struggles of Union, it could become easier to lure those boys over

[@DaMuss-e2w]

@@TheLeaguie A decent pathways and more investment there in PNG should help a lot, I know they have the Hunters but if done right this should provide a lot of new players to the market.

[@jamesmateiwai629]

Png will be the next team will be announced next week

[@deluxxxedriver4420]

ipwich x newtown are also pushing to be 20th

[@SamuelAdkins-j1h]

Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory,Tasmania.

[@SD78]

What happened to the Western Reds?

[@chriskelly9476]

They folded, partly because they were forced to pay the travel costs of all visiting teams.

[@dyran85]

Tassie should have a team

[@shockmouths1]

FUCK YEAH RUGBY LEAGUE

[@toddnelson7926]

18).WA Bears 19).PNG 20).Not sure probably the Orcas

[@ThandrieDavis]

Team 21: Las Vegas Outlaws Team 22: Los Angeles Dream

[@TheLeaguie]

That’s definitely a dream of mine mate 🫡💚

[@cjb788]

Before the NRL adds more teams they need to simplify the rules and fire all the refs and get new ones. These bunch of clowns dont even know the difference between a knock on and knock back. And the touch judges can't even tell if the ball is passed forwards or backwards. Also they should be made to make statements on the more jubious calls and be open to criticism like every other job in the world.

[@TheLeaguie]

I’m not going to delete your comment - because I think you should be free to say what you like. But ref bashing isn’t welcome here. I want you to know that I think ref bashing is the lowest form of being a sports fan. That comment is horrible - and shows a total lack of understanding of what it’s like to referee a game. I’ve made a number of videos on referees - I suggest you watch them.

[@cjb788]

@TheLeaguie you sound like a woke lefty to me. Delete the comment I don't care. But your not gonna because it's true.

[@TheLeaguie]

@@cjb788I pity the fact you think someone defending referees is ‘woke’

[@cjb788]

@@TheLeaguie I did watch half your video and heard you talk. YOUR WOKE

[@TheLeaguie]

@cjb788 *You’re 🥰

[@sneakerfreak]

100% Perth for the 18th team.

[@Josephkaule-c4l]

png can have a team in the nrl I believe

[@Roosters_Liverpool]

10 min gang leaguie

[@TommyElias-bo7eu]

18 team will be png next week

[@DaMuss-e2w]

I like the Idea of a PNG NRL team a lot I just don't like how politicalized it got, overly mixing that into sport usually does not turn out well, and it has Killed Rugby League in other Countries like France, Greece before. Not that I think it would kill RL in PNG but it would be a strain on the NRL with all the bickering and politicians and press having a field day.

[@DVDMX]

the new teams should only be from Australia and not from NSW or brisbane area. Piss the warriors off too, since NZ is alot stronger now than what they used to be when the Warriors first came into the compettion, why dont they help to establish a fully professional NZ competition to rival Australia's NRL

[@themanthemyththelegend4786]

Brother come to PNG, we never even wanted a team in the NRL, PNG should be left out of the discussion honestly.There is talent here, but a team is a bit of a stretch.

[@rexsalisbury3646]

Out of New Zealand..i would go for the KEA over the ORCA as it would be a better look and more personal for those Kiwi players as it with be a instant RIVALRY between them and the WARRIORS..whats more, it will give me a local team i can support behind the STORM..🤔🤔

[@philliplawson2018]

English football league that’s the direction the nrl need to move.

[@NickStevens-o7n]

I think a Perth bid should be Perth only, no North Sydney component. WA Quokkas, or whatever name that identifies them as Perth or WA. IO thought the WA Reds was a great name.

[@renagihitolo5059]

I believe the PNG team is of more a Global strategic significance for Australia. We cant lose them to Chinese influence our security is at risk.

[@TheLeaguie]

Yeah… see I just think that if China wanted to present a security risk to Australia, they’re not exactly going to be deterred by the presence of an NRL team

[@renagihitolo5059]

@TheLeaguie I was thinking more inline with influence, a team will bring a more general sense of belonging with shared cultural influence. Thus affecting the attitudes and discussion making to be pro-western (aus). We have already lost the Solomon islands to China, we don't want China to come and set up ballistic missles in PNG.

[@Mac-jx8uj]

@@renagihitolo5059 China has a 100yr lease on Port Darwin ! So the fox is already in the Hen house ! China basically owns Darwin Harbour.

[@tigerwalccer]

Leaguie I’ve found out what team you support

[@TheLeaguie]

Lies and hearsay, I refuse to believe it

[@tigerwalccer]

@@TheLeaguie I could probably also say who your least favourite team is as well

[@TheLeaguie]

@@tigerwalccer There’s no way you could possibly know that (there actually is and I’m just hoping for the best tbh)

[@tigerwalccer]

@@TheLeaguie I’ll keep your secret

[@hamdog9703]

Anyone for a Wellington team?

[@Bolty1993]

If the South Island get a team, surely New Zealand Warriors will become the Auckland Warriors again?

[@TheLeaguie]

That may happen, but not necessarily. There’s two teams in Brisbane but the Broncos got to keep their name. Same with the Roosters being ‘Sydney’ despite how many teams there are there. But definitely possible

[@simonhunt4614]

If the Storm can work so can Adelaide .SA has 2,200 registered players ,would need some work but with the right business model it has the population base that eclipses any of the other proposed teams .

[@beebeenyneeee7692]

If the NRL gave perth a real team instead of the bears rubbish then we would have it done already

[@craigdougls2966]

Where are these clubs getting there back up money from , no club houses , no revenue outside handouts and gate revenue. PNG is small in rugby league = imagine when it takes off. Major hit . Be unstoppable . Who wants another team in Sydney no one. South Island NZ would be good . NRL is chopping big time into NZ.

[@shakeygould8839]

Being back the magpies

[@cjcj597]

I think Tonga deserves a team

[@TheLeaguie]

Just too small an island - only 100k people. I think you’d also run into the same recruitment issues too tbf. But I do adore Tonga

[@DaMuss-e2w]

@@TheLeaguie Base it in Auckland, and play some games in Tonga, But it would too heavily compete with the Warriors though.

[@guyfaux3978]

Heaven forbid NRL should ever copy AFL and avoid fixture congestion in their main city by holding "neutral site" games-- just hold like one game per month in Port Moresby with a rotation of Sydney teams.

[@TheLeaguie]

That’s an idea I’m in favour of - but it’s absolutely something the NRL already do. Eels play a game a year in Darwin, Roosters + Rabbitohs play a game each in the Central Coast, Panthers take a game to Bathurst, even from memory the Dogs have taken games to Bundaberg lately. And that’s just off the top of my head

[@guyfaux3978]

@@TheLeaguie I'm not saying "Team A goes to Woop Woop once a year, team B goes to Black Stump once a year," etc. I guess I mean something more like how the NFL does its London games. In other words, Port Moresby gets like six games a year with twelve different teams, and the no-PNG-trip teams would rotate every year. Now, which team is the "home team" is something that can be determined when they implement such a plan. Listen, this idea could also be tried in the South Island till there's a team playing there regularly, ditto Perth or even Adelaide.

[@Roosters_Liverpool]

Make a podcast please leaguie

[@TheLeaguie]

The last thing this world needs is more podcasts 🫡💚

[@Zelepher]

Why does no one consider Adelaide? If we’re tryna grow the game why not in a city that it can grow in? Not PNG or Queensland which already love NRL.

[@TheLeaguie]

Yeah I made a video on this topic earlier in the year where I touched on Adelaide. I don’t mind it as the 20th team at all. But I will say from memory, recent instances of us taking non-State of Origin games there didn’t generate big crowds. That may be why the NRL is hesitant

[@Zelepher]

@@TheLeaguie Sorry I didn't see your reply till now. Yeah it makes sense in that regard realistically if Adelaide were to come in it might even have to be a reloaction of a sydney based team like the sharks. When compared to the front runners for the 2 expansion teams left and with PNG now confirmed In comparison Adelaide is just much less likely to succeed I guess. After seeing your video on PNG yesterday though I can see why the PNG team is what it is and hopefully it succeeds and doesn't fold. Really great you respond to comments btw thanks!