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Lowe: Second NZ NRL team could 'absolutely' be ready by 2028
Sport Nation • June 10th, 2026 8:35 am
Inside Te Kaha Stadium | Photo: Joseph Johnson/Photosport
New Zealand's potential NRL expansion team is ready to launch within the next two years, claims Sir Graham Lowe.
With ARLC chair Peter V'Landys' suggestions the competition is looking to expand to as many as 30 teams by 2029, Sir Graham - chairman of the proposed 'Southern Orcas' - claims the Christchurch-based consortium could be up and running within that timeframe.
"Absolutely (we’d be ready to play in 2028)," Lowe told SEN.
“It won’t be easy, but there are a lot of players available and you’d be surprised where we get them from.
"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.”
Two new franchises loom on the horizon already, with Perth Bears to make their debut in 2027, followed by the PNG Chefs in 2028.
The Orcas would aim to make use of the sparkling new Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch, a rugby league heartland Lowe believes is primed to inflict a significant blow on the 15-man code.
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Talks with the ARLC had progressed, said Lowe, but to what extent he was unwilling to reveal.
"There’s no current dialogue, but they are well aware of our keenness and readiness - we’re just waiting to get the call to come over and have a chat,” he said.
"Christchurch is right in the heart of rugby union country, this would be like a dagger into the heart for rugby union people over here.
“When you talk about expansion, when you talk about a new market, there are some brilliant young rugby players coming through schools that just can’t get an opportunity, there’s (currently) nowhere for them to go in rugby league in the South Island."
Lowe said the requisite financial backing is already locked and loaded, adding they would be looking to work alongside New Zealand's well established and beloved Warriors, not against them.
"We would definitely be based in Christchurch but discussions would be had to play games elsewhere.
"I want to make it clear, we are not trying to encroach on the Warriors' success. They have done a wonderful job in a big market. It's our job to find those Warriors who haven't been found yet."
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