The boss of rugby league in Western Australia says if the Western Force are cut from the Super Rugby competition, it would add further weight to the state’s long-term NRL bid.
Governing body SANZAAR confirmed on Sunday the 18-team Super Rugby competition would be cut to 15 for next season, with one Australian team set to go.
That Force were originally tipped to be that team, however they now appear to be vying head-to-head with the Melbourne Rebels to be the fourth Australian franchise.
Meanwhile, in the 13-man game, Western Australian officials have been pushing for the NRL to return to the state since the Western Reds’ stint between 1995 and 1997.
NRLWA’s chief executive John Sackson, is sympathetic of the Force’s plight, but says the absence of any fully-professional rugby side in Perth should help open the door for the Australian Rugby League Commission.
“It’s something for them to consider,” Sackson said.
“It would make Perth an even more attractive proposition because of the opportunities that would exist.”
Sackson is understanding of the fact expansion is off the table at the NRL, and is unlikely to be considered until the end of the current TV deal in 2022.
Perth and another Queensland team are considered the front-runners, while a second New Zealand team would also be an option.
There are 3,600 registered players in Western Australia, and last year five of the West Coast Pirate’s SG Ball juniors debuted in the NRL’s under-20s competition in round one.
They have also lost a number of promising juniors – including Force players Curtis Rona and Chance Peni – to the 15-man game as an easier path to professional sport arrived.
But Sackson predicted that if the Force were to be wound up, and a local NRL team entered, it would be able to claim the state’s best athletes.
“The talented kids out of the rugby codes want to pursue a career,” he said.
“That option now exists with the Force, and it could come back the other way.”
The Kangaroos played their first Test in Perth last year, and the second game of the 2019 State of Origin series is locked in for the state’s new 65,000-seat stadium.
Annual NRL matches at nib Stadium have topped 20,000 in three of the past six visits, and Sackson believes a team would have 10,000 members in their first season.
Crucially he believes even more fans would get behind a new side.
“I don’t think there are a lot of Western Force fans who go to NRL games, and I don’t think there are a lot of rugby league fans who go to Western Force games,” Sackson said.
“But if rugby was to part ways Western Australia those rugby fans wouldn’t have an option in terms of rugby codes.
“They’re more likely to go to rugby league than the other two football codes.”
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Distorted LOL because it's not favourable to you.Funny you are quite happy to bag me ,accusing me of not handling negativity.I suggest pot and kettle are in play here. The total figures covers the codes mate.I couldn't give a rat's whether you rejected that statement or not.It is what it is. A debt is a debt is a debt, whether it be via 10 or 20 teams.
Spencer Kassimir
Roar Pro
Crosstown rivals are always strong for business but over-saturation can dilute an otherwise strong one-team market. Not saying it wouldn't work but anyone with some sense and the ability to pull the trigger would need some really strong data to support that kind of a move. Greater Ipswich Jets? ;)
Spencer Kassimir
Roar Pro
I said it once and I'll say it again, should this be a completely new team or would moving an underperforming Sydney area team be the better option?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Oh dear. When you finally let go, you'll actually be creating space for something better.
clipper
Guest
You only cited 8-10 clubs, therefore not giving the full picture, hence why I rejected you distorted view.
clipper
Guest
So I take out of this deflection 1, yes, NSW and QLD have higher pay TV penetration rates, therefore the NRL should get better figures 2. there is no significant increase in TV viewers in Perth for NRL games, otherwise you would answer with many paragraphs citing this 3. the NRL channel beat the AFL channel for 1 week.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I quoted the figures supplied in the press,admitted the NRL debt situation, and you want to dodge the overall AFL club debts. Very clear ,you don't have to be a Federal Treasurer to get the message.Clubs on both sides either make or lose money, nothing to hide/ You either accept it the debt situation or reject it.Whatever takes your fancy.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Again you deflect when provided with facts.Understandable.The NRL with a win ,is uncomfortable , when one spends time looking for continual negatives. The situation on Pay TV re the Northern States has been answered before monotonously ,you appear not to have paid attention in class.I don't intend to add to repetition. I spelt out the situation re the Fox League channel,and cited the week.I'm not here to hold your hand.I also mentioned Delaney's citing this happened in the 7th week(early stage of the comp).
clipper
Guest
Again, no answered questions. Is pay TV penetration bigger in NSW and QLD than the other states? What has been the 'significant increase' in the usual NRL season televised games in WA? Was it just last week or every week that the NRL channel beats the AFL channel on Fox?
clipper
Guest
... ít notes 8-10 clubs'' - aren't there 18 AFL clubs? All very well taking selective bits out of the reports, but at least make it clear at the start
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I can handle kittens Mathew.I've experienced the highs and lows of life. Still await a worthwhile contribution from you, and proof of your exaggerated comments by anyone on rl boards.Misquoting by you is a fine art. Enjoy a Perth NRL team.And once again thank you for your RLWC promotion.
Agent11
Guest
probably not as many kittens as you when the NRL announces a Perth team or when Origin gets more record TV ratings or someone dares discuss the Rugby League world cup with interest.
Justin Kearney
Guest
I tend to agree with clipper on this one. Sydney supporters should be used to shite weather. Having said the crowds have pretty ordinary across all codes in sydney this year except for the swans. If they keep losing the bandwagon will disappear quickly enough. Sydney nrl crowds over the next two rounds should improve. If they dont maybe then its time to panic.
Mathew Stealer
Guest
Yea cmon lay off Crosscoder! He is about to have Kittens. Just except the excuses he dishes up please for everyones sake!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
For heaven's sake,worst March weather in 42 years.Just what NRL fans and their families ordered. Not 4 months.not 1 year but 42.This was one exception, you are kidding. People expect rain now but not on these levels. Not combined in a city with poor traffic infrastructure,nor the addition of poor scheduling, which will change in 2018.
clipper
Guest
magpiemick bought up the crowd averages, wondering what the average was without the Broncos. I just supplied the factual crowd average as asked. I did not say that March wasn't bad - every city has bad spots now and again, Sydney is no exception.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Hence the need for the NRL to flog the Titans and the Knights. OK further clarification on my part,which yes shows the NRL clubs growing their losses but not alone. The total of all NRL clubs' underlying losses in 2016 grew from $42.1m to $56.3m.the deficits funded by poker machines, subsidies from private owner;News Corp who paid for the Storm's $3.2m loss and the NRL which controls the debt ridden Knights($3.3m and titans $2.6m). The Eels/Bulldogs and roosters rely heavily at present on Licenced club backing. The repot goes on."its not as if the NRL's major rival the AFL,can boast its clubs are profitable and don't depend on poker machines." A confidential AFL report obtained by the Herald states' While the broadcast deal for 2017-2022($2.5bn) is a significant one in a generation windfall for the industry ,there are significant financial challenges to address with AFL and clubs". It notes the 8-10 clubs report cumulative operating losses of $9-$12m.The report quantifies the debt at $92m. It notes the debt has grown 36% since 2011 and doubled since 2007.The $92m debt consists of $66m operating debt and $26m gaming debt. Fair to suggest football clubs in the main are hardly profitable making ventures.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Membership isn't Melbourne culture, it's AFL culture. That's why the Swans have more members in Sydney than any AFL club.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
You mean the AFL got a bigger crowd than the NRL? And in Melbourne, no less... This is quite a new development. Stop the presses.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
You will further note, the crowd situation relates to March 2017,the month where rainfall was the highest since 1975. Can't be any clearer.For anyone to suggest rain does not impact crowds in Sydney when many games are played on suburban grounds with little cover, and ANZ stadium with plenty of seating but little cover, show sporting ignorance . You brought up the Sydney crowd average, no one else. " Sydney can hardly use the excuse".One of the most inane comments you have made.The highestMarch rain in 42 years, you jest. Two years ago,the Sharks played South Sydney with a cat 1 cyclone swirling around.4,500 turned up.Hardly helping Sydney crowd averages.How many families attended...............?