Well, just in case you hadn't heard yet, the Kiwis have just won their 3rd major title in 6 years, making them the most successful international side in the world at the moment. This off the back of only one team in the NRL. There are tons of Kiwis spread across the NRL at the moment in Aussie clubs (and they say British clubs have too many imports?!).

Surely this hotbed of RL needs a second NRL team? There must be an appetite for it somewhere. It would do wonders for the international game (creating more diehard league fans around NZ that will no doubt attend international games) as well as no doubt breed a lot more talented players not only for NZ, but for the Pacific Island nations (you know, the ones that are Kiwis until they stopped getting picked!). As daft as that sounds, it would most likely be the case that you'd see them improve because of the slack international eligibility laws, which can only be a bonus to the international game.

What ever happened to the Southern Orcas bid? It seems to have gone very quiet (weren't they even applying to play in the Super League at one point?!). The PNG bid seems to be making more noise than them at the moment. I just think it's a bit of a shame that we could be missing out on probably the best ever chance to expand the game in NZ whilst it's probably at the most popular level it's ever been at over there. At the same time though, the other bids in CC and Perth are very good. Would be amazing if we could fit them all in!

What about moving the Warriors to Eden Park, and establishing that as the base for Rugby in NZ. Then, change NZ Warriors to Warriors and Create a Wellington based team, playing at the Jade or Westpac.

2013 is a foregone conclusion the CC and WA bid's are to far advanced to not be included into the NRL.
So the NZRL should be looking at getting a bid out Canterbury NZ underway for 2017 - do what the Titans did and the Bears are doing by just continually letting the NRL know that you want in. Get a crapload of Business Support and the community behind the bid.
Why I said them not Wellington is simple really - they would really only have one team to compete against (in terms of sponsership) and that's the Canterbury Crusaders. Now if they got in imagine the rivalry between the North island getting behind the Warriors and the South Island behind the team out of Canterbury (NZ)

2018, Southern whatevers. 9 games in Wellington and 3 in Christchurch. In the next 6 years until then get at least 3 NRL games played in each city per year, fund the NZRL to set up strong jnr programmes in each city, get a NSW cup side in from Wellington, more Int's in each city, SOO for NZ Sth V Nth.

Problem with NRL, unlike AFL, is it does zero prep work for introduction of new teams and is just reactive to whatever bids come along instead of having a long term vision and being proactive to make it happen.

Not a lot....the NZRL needed to sort out it's own house and has tried to....there is still one sticking point out of Auckland....but the national comp went well and the finals were televised on Sky......the next step will be the running of the comp next year with a higher profile....ie....backing and spending by the NZRL.
After that, it is an investment issue.....wellington council/corporation won't be financially backing a bid and the stadium trust for the cake tin will want paying for games up front...so it will need a benefactor who believes in League to get the bid to a break even stage.
I would agree that a 'split="Wellsy13What ever happened to the Southern Orcas bid?'"

Wellington average over 20,000 for NRL games.

We'll let them in soon. But not next round of expansion.

We'll get back to you when we are ready...

don't leave it too late......the NZRL comp may be of a better standard than the NRL sooner than you think

That comment speaks volumes for your understanding of either country in rugby league.

lol

As I said, see you next round.

in 2013 the nrl is adding central coast bears and perth reds to the comp.

so 2018 would be the next expansion window and wellington and ipswich would then be favourites

the scary thing about the nrl is how many places are begging for a team

at least 20 - 22 teams is what we should aim for

22 is what I think in years to come. And ideally like the NFL each team play's each other once a regular season therefore making the club games more of an occasion when they play each other.