The dream of a second New Zealand National Rugby League (NRL) team, the Southern Orcas, is gaining momentum, with chairman Sir Graham Lowe asserting the South Island-based club is primed for launch, contingent on securing an NRL license. This push follows the resounding success and fan engagement witnessed by the New Zealand Warriors over the past three years.
The Auckland-based Warriors have been a revelation, consistently selling out home games and even taking matches to other centres like Wellington for the Anzac Day clash. This surge in popularity is particularly noteworthy given New Zealand’s traditional dominance in rugby union. Lowe believes this burgeoning NRL enthusiasm across the country presents a golden opportunity for the league to expand its reach, with Christchurch emerging as a prime candidate for a new franchise.
The NRL is reportedly in the midst of finalising broadcast rights deals, and a key reported bidder is keen to introduce a 20th team as early as 2029. Such an expansion would create a tenth fixture each week, significantly boosting revenue for both the NRL and the television rights holder.
Intriguingly, speculation is rife that the two strongest bids for this new NRL slot are a second New Zealand team, with the Southern Orcas reportedly leading the charge, and a club based in Brisbane’s western corridor. The latter is seen as a strategic move to counter any potential ambitions from the rival Australian Football League (AFL) to secure that growing area.
“It won’t be easy by any stretch of the imagination, and we are realistic,” Lowe candidly stated on SEN’s Front Office with Vossy. “But there’s a lot of players available, and you’ll be surprised where we get them from. We are ready to go. The really important thing, though, is to get the tick from the NRL so we can get the coach in place. That’s got to be a key factor in the whole lot. Chances like this come along less than once in a blue moon. So, we are ready, we have to be ready, and we won’t be coming along with any excuses at all.”
The successful integration of the Dolphins franchise in Redcliffe, Brisbane, in 2023 has provided a clear blueprint for establishing an NRL organisation in areas with a strong rugby league heritage. However, despite Lowe’s optimism, the Orcas have not had recent direct discussions with NRL headquarters. He acknowledges concerns regarding the club’s infrastructure and its capacity to support an NRL team.
A Cautious Approach from the Warriors
Warriors chief executive Cameron George has expressed a more measured perspective, suggesting the NRL should hold off on introducing a second New Zealand team for the time being. According to NewsCorp reports, George stated, “I would absolutely share in the expansion of the NRL and consider the South Island as a preferred option – in time. But we need to build the game from within and we need further investment in the domestic competitions to underpin a second team in three to five years’ time. That, to me, would make it sustainable. We need structures in place to support not only two teams in New Zealand but also the 18 other teams in the competition.”
George highlighted a critical gap in the current system: “As it stands now, a lot of players leave this country to go and play in genuine elite competitions in the NSWRL and Queensland Cup on their pathway through to the NRL. We should replicate those competitions here in New Zealand, and that would require more investment and time to get those competitions up to that level.”
Addressing the Pathway Concerns
Lowe acknowledges the validity of George’s concerns regarding the player pathway. However, he remains confident that this issue can be resolved before any bidding war for a new franchise intensifies.
“Well, there’s not a professional structure there at the moment, to be honest,” Lowe admitted. “But we’ve got people in mind, and Cameron is absolutely right. You have to have the right structure. You’ve got to have the right base to start. That’s why we’ve just been trying to sound as calm as we can. We’ve got a list of names for the various things, but we will have that locked up. Have no worries about that because that’s absolutely critical. It’s just as important as what’s going on in the field.”
The Coach Factor
One potential strategy to alleviate concerns from NRL decision-makers would be to secure a high-profile coach early in the process. With Ivan Cleary reportedly stepping down from his coaching duties at the Penrith Panthers for the 2028 season, the Southern Orcas could potentially target him. Cleary’s strong connection to New Zealand, stemming from his playing days with the Warriors, could make him an attractive proposition.
The landscape of NRL expansion is rapidly evolving. The Perth Bears are slated to join the competition in 2027, followed by the PNG Chiefs in 2028, indicating a clear appetite for growth within the league. The Southern Orcas are now looking to carve out their own space within this expanding NRL universe.
