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Aug 14, 2004

They've got a wealthy backer, a ready-made stadium and playing stocks just waiting to be tapped.

But when NRL expansion is talked about, Wellington is an afterthought.

It seems everyone in rugby league circles, bar those involved with the New Zealand Rugby League bid, rate the Kiwis a distant third to the Central Coast and Gold Coast.

But bid officials are quietly confident if the NRL decides at its partnership meeting on Monday to add another team, they will figure prominently.

If not, the NZRL has no plans to walk away.

They're committed to having a second team across the Tasman.

"Obviously we're like everyone else - holding our breath waiting for a decision," bid official Andrew Chalmers said.

"The only thing certain is that there is a meeting. There's nothing certain outside that.

"I'd be surprised if they had gone through such a time-consuming process and then decide against expansion.

"That really would surprise me. It doesn't make sense."

And if they do?

"This is a strategic initiative for us," Chalmers said. "We want a second side out of New Zealand."

The Orcas have plenty of weight behind their bid.

Financially they have the support of a Belgian millionaire, who is ready, willing and able to put his financial clout behind the prospective club.

"Our backer is credible," Chalmers said.

"He's been revealed to the NRL. I think there'll be a huge tick in terms of money.

"I had dinner with him this week in New Zealand. He's given us a commitment for this bid. We'll assess the position after that."

In WestpacTrust Stadium they have one of the finest football stadiums in the southern hemisphere.

Playing strength shouldn't be a problem either.

Wellington has more than 10,000 registered rugby league players.

There's also rugby union, with more than 70,000 players in the area, many of whom would be ripe for the picking if a cashed-up club from the rival code came knocking.

The Orcas also hope another NZ rugby league would stem the flow of Kiwi and Polynesian players heading to Australian-based NRL clubs.

"If you're a player and you don't make the New Zealand Warriors development squad, you only have two choices - to go overseas or play rugby union," Chalmers said.

"The reality is in New Zealand, as of May, the New Zealand Rugby League had released 127 players to come to Australia.

"I think this is a problem for the NRL.

"One of the interesting stats I was given by the NRL is in their projections the number of Maori and Polynesian will total 75 per cent of all players (at this rate).

Chalmers also dismisses those who question the intelligence of placing another team in New Zealand with the Warriors struggling near the foot of the NRL ladder.

"Two years ago look where they were," Chalmers said.

"Every club goes through cycles. I look at Manly now. I think about where they were at the height of their game.

"It's a reality that clubs go through slippery patches. That's just part of football. From that view it doesn't affect our chances.

"We're not going to go away. We're going to keep chipping away and knocking at the door."