NRL General Discussion Thread

[john1420]

So if that's how it plays out, then under Vlando......

The 17th team is based in an area but you can't use that area in the name

The 18th team will be allowed to use an area in their name but it won't be the actual area they are based

The Vlandidlyando circus continues to march on

 

[Nashy]

Why won't these fucking bozos go to Perth?

 

[mitch222]

It would have to be based in Cairns to attract any significant players to play for them. Can you see any Australian, NZ or English players really wanting to live in PNG full time? Its a third world country. I don't really like the idea of the tax payer funding it either. A change in government could **** them especially if the budgets tight and getting rid of funding for a sports team is always a cheap out to save money

 

[Galah]

No one and I mean no one will want to play there

 

[Kimlo]

It would have to be based in Cairns to attract any significant players to play for them. Can you see any Australian, NZ or English players really wanting to live in PNG full time? Its a third world country. I don't really like the idea of the tax payer funding it either. A change in government could **** them especially if the budgets tight and getting rid of funding for a sports team is always a cheap out to save money

PNG should hold a referendum for guaranteed funding if they want an NRL team.

 

[MrTickyMcG]

Cairns is an ordinary place to put a new team.

 

[BroncsFan]

Cairns is an ordinary place to put a new team.

The whole concept is fucking ordinary

Is there even a formal bid team or is NRL just like "oi someone put their fucking hand up, because cash will be coming your way"

 

[Allo]

Cairns is an ordinary place to put a new team.

Visited once - everywhere around there is nicer than the city, but Cairns itself sucks so it’s not a high bar

You’re not going to attract anyone who doesn’t already live up there

 

[BruiserMk1]

Why won't these fucking bozos go to Perth?

Frustrating as fcuk from someone who lives there.

 

[broncos4life]

Cairns sucks. I should rephrase that, Cairns is great for a visit but after a few days there is nothing to do there and it’s hot as ****. All my family from one side are from Cairns and even with that in mind I wouldn’t live there and outside of an insane pay packet I can’t think of a reason any quality NRL player with another option would move there.

 

[Big Del]

outside of an insane pay packet I can’t think of a reason any quality NRL player with another option would move there.

Pre season camp in Cairns ?
No thank you .

 

[Foordy]

I expect helping to sway Vlando to admit a PNG team would be a whole heap of AUS government money

pretty much it's being reported that the Albanese Government is prepared to pay:

$5.5 million to help the PNG bid prepare their business case and develop a pipeline of players.
+
Underwrite the team for $25 million per year.

the reports also say that the PNG Prime Minister James Marape asked the Australian Government for an NRL team by 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of his country’s independence. Albanese wants a Port Moresby-based team, with games to also be played in Cairns, as a way to counter China’s growing influence in the region.

Australian Government Spokesperson says:

“Australia recognises the importance of rugby league to Papua New Guinea, and its significance for the relationship between our two countries. The Australian Government has agreed to explore how it can work with the PNG Government to support its bid to enter the NRL,”

 

[Foordy]

just on the PNG bid ... I'm sorry but IMO politics has no place in sports.

I'd love to see a PNG team in the NRL, but their bid has to stand up in it's own right and be the best option for an 18th team

 

[Kimlo]

just on the PNG bid ... I'm sorry but IMO politics has no place in sports.

I'd love to see a PNG team in the NRL, but their bid has to stand up in it's own right and be the best option for an 18th team

Yep what happens if the LNP are in government again next election or the one after and decide to pull funding?

Only way something like this can be allowed is with a 25 year guaranteed funding by the government of something which would be cheap international relations. There would need to be ironclad long term guarantees and even then, the PNG team would need a much higher salary cap to sign players or else they're going to be a bye round for most teams.

Or you know, don't play politics with the NRL. I'd rather that option, it's either commercially viable or it's not but Vlandys will take whatever makes his greasy head more money.

 

[Organix]

pretty much it's being reported that the Albanese Government is prepared to pay:

$5.5 million to help the PNG bid prepare their business case and develop a pipeline of players.
+
Underwrite the team for $25 million per year.

the reports also say that the PNG Prime Minister James Marape asked the Australian Government for an NRL team by 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of his country’s independence. Albanese wants a Port Moresby-based team, with games to also be played in Cairns, as a way to counter China’s growing influence in the region.

Australian Government Spokesperson says:

“Australia recognises the importance of rugby league to Papua New Guinea, and its significance for the relationship between our two countries. The Australian Government has agreed to explore how it can work with the PNG Government to support its bid to enter the NRL,”

Oh, dear Lord, make it stop.

So...what? If PNG don't get the money they open the door to China? Jees, let's see how long Rugby League lasts in PNG when China take control and PNG becomes a battle ground.

If this is what Albo had in mind with his "Pacific Relationship" campaign promise, he is brain-dead. This is basically saying to PNG "Hey, here is a way to manipulate Australia into forking over cash" and forever tying sport to political tensions with freaking China. No way this should have anything to do with Australian government funding. If the NRL want it, they should pay it.

Oh, God, what the **** goes on in Canberra? Is this a piss take? And now after the Voice people are accusing average Australians as being stupid and politically illiterate. It's the fish rotting at the head here. It is like Albo wants to lose the next election.

Adam Bandt seems like the only intelligent person in Canberra at the moment.

Sorry for the rant. I'll just go bash my head into the wall for a while.

 

[Locky's Left Boot]

Why can't Perth be the 18th team?

 

[ningnangnong]

Just on the idea that politics has no place in sport - I absolutely 110% wholeheartedly agree.

But, unfortunately, I feel like there's going to be no way to avoid that path. We're already seeing it in European football with some big teams being taken over and 'sportswashing' occurring, or players being purchased for large sums and paid even larger sums to play in places like Saudi Arabia. No disrespect to the Saudi Arabian football competition, but there's only one reason high quality players go there -

The popularity of many sports around the world make it the ideal platform to play politics on.

Long gone are the days where sport was just an athletic and skill-based battle to see who was the best player or the best team. It's now infested with millionaires and billionaires looking to use it to their advantage in any way they can. Shit is fucked.

It's going to keep getting worse, and I'm sure I'll just give up on my teams/the competitions I follow eventually. I can't stomach it.

 

[Foordy]

Why can't Perth be the 18th team?

Because the NRL are incompetent