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FWC: ESP v BEL LIVE‘Very strong mail’: Rumoured South Island NRL team gains momentum
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • July 10th, 2026 11:08 am
Andrew Abdo and Peter V'Landys | Photo: AAP
A second New Zealand-based NRL franchise appears to be a done-deal, with veteran rugby league reporter Pete Badel claiming his sources indicate the competition's 20th team will be based in the South Island.
Speaking following confirmation of the NRL's landmark new broadcast agreement, the Courier Mail journalist told Sport Nation's Milsy & Guy all signs point towards New Zealand securing the competition's next expansion licence.
“The good news guys is from the mail I'm getting is that the 20th team will be going to New Zealand,” Badel said.
“That's my mail. It's very strong mail. I have no doubt that the 20th team is going to New Zealand, you will have a second team and it will be in the South Island.
“Now there's obviously some bids and consortiums to go through, there’s business cases to look at, but they were looking at a fifth Queensland team, but my mail is all directions point to New Zealand.”
Full steam ahead for NZ NRL expansion team | Running It Straight
The NRL officially will welcome the Perth Bears as its 18th franchise in 2027, while Papua New Guinea is set to enter the competition as the 19th team in 2028.
Attention has now turned to where the league's 20th licence could land, with several Australian and New Zealand bids understood to be in contention.
According to Badel, the NRL's long-term growth strategy makes a second New Zealand franchise an attractive proposition.
“It's all part of the NRL's global strategy to grow the game internationally and they just feel there's enough teams in Queensland,” he said.
“I feel a second team in New Zealand to complement the Warriors, they could take over rugby union in that part of the world and I think it's wonderful news for New Zealand.”
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak celebrates his try at Christchurch's new Te Kaha Stadium | Photo: John Davidson/Photosport
While no formal decision has been made, Badel believes expansion across the Tasman is becoming increasingly inevitable.
“I think you'll see a 20th franchise in your country around 2030-31 so stand by, could be huge times ahead for the mighty New Zealand,” he said.
V’landys and Abdo were spotted at the Warriors v Cowboys round 16 blockbuster at Christchurch’s new 'Te Kaha' stadium - only adding to speculation that the venue could become home to the NRL’s proposed 20th franchise
Badel's comments came as he praised the NRL's newly announced broadcast deal, which is reportedly worth $5.3 billion (AUD) and extends the competition's partnership with broadcasters well into the next decade.
Rugby league fans filled Christchurch's new Te Kaha Stadium for its first NRL spectacle | Photo: John Davidson/Photosport
“Wonderful deal, unbelievable, more than I ever thought,” he said.
“My initial feelings were that they'd get about $4 to $4.5 billion. So for Peter V'landys to deliver $5.3 billion, more than the AFL, is just a remarkable achievement, a testament to his leadership and also the efforts of Andrew Abdo, the NRL CEO.”
On July 15, 2026 however, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo will offically step down from his role to become the chief executive of Tennis Australia following a six-year tenure, with Peter V'landys stepping into an interim CEO position.
Listen to the full interview below:
