Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Voss: NRL team that should be launched before Perth and PNG
Charles Goodsir • October 28th, 2025 12:56 pm
SEN’s Andrew Voss believes the NRL have made a grave mistake by not including a second New Zealand team in their expansion plans.
The NRL are set to introduce the Perth Bears in 2027 and the PNG Chiefs are scheduled to enter the NRL in 2028 as the competition’s 19th team.
Voss argues that if the NRL are serious about overtaking rugby union as the biggest sport in New Zealand, a team to rival the Warriors is essential.
“I would love the Papua New Guinea team to be a success,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It’s going to be a long burn with that. I just think we’ve missed an opportunity to have a second New Zealand team right now.
“We are so not getting it. If you are talking about making a serious challenge towards rugby union, put a second New Zealand team in right now.
“The St George Illawarra Dragons just signed a kid this week who is the second best ranked rugby prospect (in New Zealand).
“Just imagine if there was a second New Zealand team and a second pathway for Kiwi kids.
“It could allow kids playing rugby union to make that step to playing on the big stage of the NRL.
“That’s the player pool. To be honest, the next New Zealand team should’ve been in place of Perth for 2027.”
Adam Pompey opens the scoring for the Warriors in Christchurch | Warriors Live
The Southern Orcas have chaired a number of bids to the NRL to have a team based in Christchurch. Despite having the backing of former Kiwis coach Sir Graham Lowe, the bids have been unsuccessful.
SEN’s Greg Alexander added that in order to improve rugby league in Australia and New Zealand, there must be a return to a nation under-20s competition.
“The under-20s competition should never have been axed,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It was axed because of finances. It was costing clubs too much. I think we have the money now to re-introduce it.
“I also want to see NSW cup games, as many as possible, played before NRL games.
“You can't have NRL players playing in some back paddock. They are playing in front of no one.
“You somehow need to connect both. Some clubs aren’t exactly aligned to NRL clubs but we have to play as many games as a lead into first grade games.”
The Warriors reserve grade side won the NSW Cup and the NRL State Championship in 2025.
