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Live sport on SN this weekendAnthony Gelling: What is the future for rugby league in New Zealand?
Sport Nation • September 27th, 2026 6:00 am
Kelston Boys’ High School vs St Thomas of Canterbury College at the 2026 National Secondary Schools Rugby League Tournament | Photo: Joshua Devenie/Photosport
As debate continues over the future of rugby union in New Zealand, former Warrior and Sport Nation host Anthony Gelling says rugby league’s own challenges deserve attention.
And it was a question from the text machine on Sport Nation Afternoons on Friday that made Gelling wonder if there is a difference between Warriors fans and league fans.
“If I asked someone outside who won the Stormont Shield this year, they couldn't tell you. They probably couldn't you who won The Fox Memorial, and that's a change that has happened within rugby league,” he explained.
“People don't try to fight for it, like they try to fight for they put up a fight for Heartland and the fight for NPC when it comes to rugby.”
Gelling said the NZRL’s aim of restructuring a domestic pathway for young players is worthwhile, but will take time to establish.
“I know that their goal is to have a domestic competition where our players at age 15, 16, aren't having to go to Australia to play Harold Matt or SG Ball, Jersey Flegg, whatever those competitions are, but it's just gonna take time.”
Anthony Gelling | Photo: Photosport
He also pointed to the changing relationship between rugby union and league.
“History lesson - rugby league was massive in New Zealand, pre-war, post-war they scaled right back, so it left a lot of the provinces and concentrated itself in Auckland and Canterbury, where it's still strong today, but rugby union is throughout the country.”
While some schools once discouraged pupils from playing league, Gelling said that is beginning to shift as they compete to attract young players.
“You've got these schools, which took the same attitude as the All Blacks back in the day that said, if you want to go play league, you're not playing for us.
“So schools became anti-league, rugby only,” he claimed.
“And times are changing now, we have got these big union schools that are now starting to offer league programmes to stay competitive in the fight for talent because kids want to play both.”
One example, he said, is Kings College - the school of Warriors Ali Leiataua and Knights Francis Manuleleua.
“Kings College featured at the New Zealand Rugby League Nationals this year in the championship grade.
“Kings, the rugby union diehard school.”
Gelling believes the structure of both codes could look very different in the future.
“Our systems are going to change here in New Zealand for rugby and league and I'm excited to see where it goes because it could go to a place where none of us are anticipating.”
Listen to the full interview below:
