February 20, 2025 • 10 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from news Talk z' be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
David Moffatt now CEO and chair of the South Island
of Kia Rugby League, but n RL joins just now
around the Warriors, around the various organizations that are attempted
to climb on and basically the Warriors are they are
they playing a blocking role? Anyway? Let's talk to David
about no, David, David moffat good evening.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Mate, Good evening, Darth. How you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I'm doing very well. Interesting story today in the Herald
Trevan McEwan, former cel as it goes off the Warriors
writing this down about the Warriors, about are the Kia
and other expansion teams coming through? Suggestion here is that
the Warriors are probably more interested in looking after their
patch than they are for the good of rugby league
(00:56):
in this country. Is that a fair statement? Do you think?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
David? I think it absolutely is. You know that what
have they done in the last twenty five twenty seven years,
whatever it is, they're by any measure, I mean, I
think they managed to get to a Grand Final once,
but outside of that, you know, and it's still happening there.
They just don't perform on the field. For them to
suggest that there shouldn't be another team in New Zealand
(01:21):
shows that they don't have any knowledge about the game
in this country, and they actually don't have much knowledge
about sport because all they need to do is look
next door at what's happening with the with the AFC,
the Auckland Football Club and the amount of interest there
is because of this rivalry they have built in with
(01:43):
with Wellington Phoenix and it would be even more than
that with rugby league. You know what, do we enjoy
our rivalries here in New Zealand and there's no bigger
rivalry between Auckland and christ Church.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
It's not the Warriors, though it looks like actively blocking
or being heard to be blocking. This stand from their
point of view that they are looking after their patch
and they see that as being something that is rightly theirs.
If you're a CE, are you be doing the same thing,
wouldn't you?
Speaker 3 (02:17):
David? I don't think so, mate, because I can understand
that if you've got another team it'll actually make you
perform better. But then again, I think I think this
guy who's running the Warriors comes out of a racing background,
which actually is a monopoly. Racing is a monopoly both
in Australia and in this country, and he's now trying
to actually maintain a monopoly that I said, he's done nothing,
(02:40):
that they've done nothing with for twenty five years. They
started coming down here and playing an odd game down here,
but that's all. You know. My view is that, you know,
we would most likely show them up if we got
a license, and you know, I have no doubt that
we would certainly get them to improve their own organization
(03:02):
because let's face it, it's hardly fit for purpose. We
actually want, fervently want the Warriors to be successful because
whilst ever they're unsuccessful, the NRL says, oh, well look
New Zealand, you know hasn't got enough talent, even though
fifty percent of the players playing in the NRL come
from this part of the world and the Islands. I mean,
(03:23):
you know, so we want them to be successful, but
they're not.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
There's a number of consortiums looking to climb into this
and have this second franchise, but there's been nothing from
the ARL. Has there come a time when something like
the Lights of the care and so on? And so
forth go. We've gone as far as we can. We're
basting our head against a brick wall. They don't want
us no more because you've been very insistent, but there's
nothing come back that almost suggests like you're wasting time.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Well yeah, we could be, but we're not a group
of people that are going to give in. You know,
we are doing this for one reason only and that
is for christ Church. You know, we are a city
that has come through some horrific times, you know, with
the earthquakes, and the city is being re built and
it's going to be a great city and the council
(04:10):
are doing a phenomenal job. And so therefore we're doing
this for christ Church, the city and also rugby league
fans in the South Island. I mean, we've got we've
got access to two covered stadiums in the South Island
because we'd take a game or two down to Dunedin.
And what sort of stadiums are they playing up there
in Auckland be it'll be twenty years before they get
(04:31):
a decent stadium up there the way they're going. And
you know we're already we're ready to go. We're fit
and ready to go. Does and yeah, we're not going
to give it. What I've said is, look, we understand
where you're at, but if you want to reopen negotiations
and discussions, then we're here, We're ready, and we're ready
(04:52):
to go at a moment's notice. I think they.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Should be able to have to reapply for their license.
So it's actually a battleground you can both engage in
because to the man of born, they do have this
license and it looks like they're not going to let
it go. A thought process here that maybe they shouldn't
hang on to it forever.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Well. I actually suggested the other day in the media
that perhaps it's about time they were asked to reapply
for their license and to see how they do under
those conditions, and then put conditions upon keeping a license,
you know, I asked myself, I thought was an interesting question.
Is there any sunset clause on any licenses for any
(05:32):
of the clubs or are they there in perpetuity or
until one of them might go broke or whatever. So yeah,
I mean, I think that's a very valid question. But anybody,
I think who is taking the view that the Warriors
owners and management are taking at the moment that they
(05:53):
don't want any other team in New Zealand. I mean,
I don't give stuff about or They can look after Auckland,
they can look after the whole of the North Island.
But we are a very proud rugby league community down
here and it's growing.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Sorry, the growth of the game obviously is important from
a New Zealand perspective as well as opposed to just
the growth of one club. Do you propose to help
with the growth of the game as opposed to maybe
just looking after your own interests.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Well, absolutely, We've already made contact with numerous of the
islands and you know, if we were to get a
get a license, we would immediately get involved with the
other islands, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, you know, to
get that stuff going there. We want to become like Penrith,
(06:43):
We want to become a net exporter of talent ento
the NRL and that's something that we've been very clear on.
But I think you know it's it's all it's all
about people looking after their own interests. And let me
make this point as well. Rugby in New Zealand is
a little bit on its knees at the moment and
(07:03):
if ever rugby league. The NRL wanted to take on
rugby in this country. They shouldn't be waiting another five
years because rugby will get it back together eventually. We're
starting to see a little bit of a change in
the way the game is played, certainly in the Northern hemisphere,
and I don't think that bodes well for us. But
they are starting to move the ball about a bit
(07:24):
more than we've been seeing in the last twenty years.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Have you had any contact with the Warriors? Does it
even come into the equation at all? Does it matter?
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I know it doesn't matter. I'd actually don't want to
talk to them. I just want to be, you know,
a bur under their saddle class. I want to develop
a real strong rivalry from day one, because that's what
I mean. And the NRL should be bending over backwards
to develop this rivalry between Auckland and christ Church. Where
(07:54):
is the natural rivalry between P and G and anybody
or the Western You know they'll say, oh, the Bears,
but you know they haven't got anywhere near the following
that they claim. But then the biggest natural rivalry it's
at and it's sort of state of origin like would
be between the North Island and the South Island and
it's a bit frustrating when you can't seem to get
(08:15):
that message through.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
It is the National Rugby League, though, isn't it. Surely
they need to look after their own interest and they
need to go to Western Australia as opposed to going overseas,
and maybe that's why they're reticent to actually give anyone
the time of day when it comes to your proposals.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
And I've actually said that to my guys and to
other people. It is their competition, it's an Australian competition.
But I think that by having another team over here,
which let's face it, I mean it's closer to get
to here than it is to get from Sydney than
it is to get to Perth, you know, and Papua
(08:53):
New Guinea for example. We're just across the ditch here
and the players won't have to live in a compound
in christ Church. You know, it's one of the safest
cities that I've ever been, I've ever lived in, and
you know, we've got a so much going for us.
But it's their decision and I and I I it's
(09:15):
not what am I saying is there. It's the NRL's decision.
It's not Auckland's decision, which they seem to think it
is right, and it's definitely not their decision.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
And finally, David Moffatt, CEO of the South Island Kiirbird
for the NERT and we always I thank you for
your time. How much of us say do you think
the Warriors have gotten this? If any, they probably shouldn't,
but you suspect that is there maybe some power game
being played from them about their position.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
They shouldn't have a say at all, you know. They
well they'll have a say along with all the other clubs,
and they will go to the other clubs and they'll say, well,
what do you think about this bid? The clubs will
say what's in it for us? And that's fair enough.
We can't compete with sixty million dollars that's going to go,
or six hundred million dollars that's being put up by
the Australian government, or even one hundred and fifty to
(10:06):
two hundred million dollars being put up by the Western
Australian government. We can't compete with that. But what we
what we can compete on is the future of the game.
The number of kids and are playing the game, and
women playing the game. I mean, you know, where do
most of the women playing in NRLW come from. They're
(10:27):
coming from this part of the world, you know. I mean,
so we've got all an actual fact our bid. We
said we would put a team into the NRLW. This
would be a world first in any sport. We said
we would put a team into the NRLW before the
men's team, a year before the men's team, whenever that
would take place.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
For more from sports talk, listen lives and news talks.
They'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from news Talk z' be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
David Moffatt now CEO and chair of the South Island
of Kia Rugby League, but n RL joins just now
around the Warriors, around the various organizations that are attempted
to climb on and basically the Warriors are they are
they playing a blocking role? Anyway? Let's talk to David
about no, David, David moffat good evening.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Mate, Good evening, Darth. How you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I'm doing very well. Interesting story today in the Herald
Trevan McEwan, former cel as it goes off the Warriors
writing this down about the Warriors, about are the Kia
and other expansion teams coming through? Suggestion here is that
the Warriors are probably more interested in looking after their
patch than they are for the good of rugby league
(00:56):
in this country. Is that a fair statement? Do you think?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
David? I think it absolutely is. You know that what
have they done in the last twenty five twenty seven years,
whatever it is, they're by any measure, I mean, I
think they managed to get to a Grand Final once,
but outside of that, you know, and it's still happening there.
They just don't perform on the field. For them to
suggest that there shouldn't be another team in New Zealand
(01:21):
shows that they don't have any knowledge about the game
in this country, and they actually don't have much knowledge
about sport because all they need to do is look
next door at what's happening with the with the AFC,
the Auckland Football Club and the amount of interest there
is because of this rivalry they have built in with
(01:43):
with Wellington Phoenix and it would be even more than
that with rugby league. You know what, do we enjoy
our rivalries here in New Zealand and there's no bigger
rivalry between Auckland and christ Church.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
It's not the Warriors, though it looks like actively blocking
or being heard to be blocking. This stand from their
point of view that they are looking after their patch
and they see that as being something that is rightly theirs.
If you're a CE, are you be doing the same thing,
wouldn't you?
Speaker 3 (02:17):
David? I don't think so, mate, because I can understand
that if you've got another team it'll actually make you
perform better. But then again, I think I think this
guy who's running the Warriors comes out of a racing background,
which actually is a monopoly. Racing is a monopoly both
in Australia and in this country, and he's now trying
to actually maintain a monopoly that I said, he's done nothing,
(02:40):
that they've done nothing with for twenty five years. They
started coming down here and playing an odd game down here,
but that's all. You know. My view is that, you know,
we would most likely show them up if we got
a license, and you know, I have no doubt that
we would certainly get them to improve their own organization
(03:02):
because let's face it, it's hardly fit for purpose. We
actually want, fervently want the Warriors to be successful because
whilst ever they're unsuccessful, the NRL says, oh, well look
New Zealand, you know hasn't got enough talent, even though
fifty percent of the players playing in the NRL come
from this part of the world and the Islands. I mean,
(03:23):
you know, so we want them to be successful, but
they're not.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
There's a number of consortiums looking to climb into this
and have this second franchise, but there's been nothing from
the ARL. Has there come a time when something like
the Lights of the care and so on? And so
forth go. We've gone as far as we can. We're
basting our head against a brick wall. They don't want
us no more because you've been very insistent, but there's
nothing come back that almost suggests like you're wasting time.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Well yeah, we could be, but we're not a group
of people that are going to give in. You know,
we are doing this for one reason only and that
is for christ Church. You know, we are a city
that has come through some horrific times, you know, with
the earthquakes, and the city is being re built and
it's going to be a great city and the council
(04:10):
are doing a phenomenal job. And so therefore we're doing
this for christ Church, the city and also rugby league
fans in the South Island. I mean, we've got we've
got access to two covered stadiums in the South Island
because we'd take a game or two down to Dunedin.
And what sort of stadiums are they playing up there
in Auckland be it'll be twenty years before they get
(04:31):
a decent stadium up there the way they're going. And
you know we're already we're ready to go. We're fit
and ready to go. Does and yeah, we're not going
to give it. What I've said is, look, we understand
where you're at, but if you want to reopen negotiations
and discussions, then we're here, We're ready, and we're ready
(04:52):
to go at a moment's notice. I think they.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Should be able to have to reapply for their license.
So it's actually a battleground you can both engage in
because to the man of born, they do have this
license and it looks like they're not going to let
it go. A thought process here that maybe they shouldn't
hang on to it forever.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Well. I actually suggested the other day in the media
that perhaps it's about time they were asked to reapply
for their license and to see how they do under
those conditions, and then put conditions upon keeping a license,
you know, I asked myself, I thought was an interesting question.
Is there any sunset clause on any licenses for any
(05:32):
of the clubs or are they there in perpetuity or
until one of them might go broke or whatever. So yeah,
I mean, I think that's a very valid question. But anybody,
I think who is taking the view that the Warriors
owners and management are taking at the moment that they
(05:53):
don't want any other team in New Zealand. I mean,
I don't give stuff about or They can look after Auckland,
they can look after the whole of the North Island.
But we are a very proud rugby league community down
here and it's growing.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Sorry, the growth of the game obviously is important from
a New Zealand perspective as well as opposed to just
the growth of one club. Do you propose to help
with the growth of the game as opposed to maybe
just looking after your own interests.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Well, absolutely, We've already made contact with numerous of the
islands and you know, if we were to get a
get a license, we would immediately get involved with the
other islands, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, you know, to
get that stuff going there. We want to become like Penrith,
(06:43):
We want to become a net exporter of talent ento
the NRL and that's something that we've been very clear on.
But I think you know it's it's all it's all
about people looking after their own interests. And let me
make this point as well. Rugby in New Zealand is
a little bit on its knees at the moment and
(07:03):
if ever rugby league. The NRL wanted to take on
rugby in this country. They shouldn't be waiting another five
years because rugby will get it back together eventually. We're
starting to see a little bit of a change in
the way the game is played, certainly in the Northern hemisphere,
and I don't think that bodes well for us. But
they are starting to move the ball about a bit
(07:24):
more than we've been seeing in the last twenty years.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Have you had any contact with the Warriors? Does it
even come into the equation at all? Does it matter?
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I know it doesn't matter. I'd actually don't want to
talk to them. I just want to be, you know,
a bur under their saddle class. I want to develop
a real strong rivalry from day one, because that's what
I mean. And the NRL should be bending over backwards
to develop this rivalry between Auckland and christ Church. Where
(07:54):
is the natural rivalry between P and G and anybody
or the Western You know they'll say, oh, the Bears,
but you know they haven't got anywhere near the following
that they claim. But then the biggest natural rivalry it's
at and it's sort of state of origin like would
be between the North Island and the South Island and
it's a bit frustrating when you can't seem to get
(08:15):
that message through.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
It is the National Rugby League, though, isn't it. Surely
they need to look after their own interest and they
need to go to Western Australia as opposed to going overseas,
and maybe that's why they're reticent to actually give anyone
the time of day when it comes to your proposals.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
And I've actually said that to my guys and to
other people. It is their competition, it's an Australian competition.
But I think that by having another team over here,
which let's face it, I mean it's closer to get
to here than it is to get from Sydney than
it is to get to Perth, you know, and Papua
(08:53):
New Guinea for example. We're just across the ditch here
and the players won't have to live in a compound
in christ Church. You know, it's one of the safest
cities that I've ever been, I've ever lived in, and
you know, we've got a so much going for us.
But it's their decision and I and I I it's
(09:15):
not what am I saying is there. It's the NRL's decision.
It's not Auckland's decision, which they seem to think it
is right, and it's definitely not their decision.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
And finally, David Moffatt, CEO of the South Island Kiirbird
for the NERT and we always I thank you for
your time. How much of us say do you think
the Warriors have gotten this? If any, they probably shouldn't,
but you suspect that is there maybe some power game
being played from them about their position.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
They shouldn't have a say at all, you know. They
well they'll have a say along with all the other clubs,
and they will go to the other clubs and they'll say, well,
what do you think about this bid? The clubs will
say what's in it for us? And that's fair enough.
We can't compete with sixty million dollars that's going to go,
or six hundred million dollars that's being put up by
the Australian government, or even one hundred and fifty to
(10:06):
two hundred million dollars being put up by the Western
Australian government. We can't compete with that. But what we
what we can compete on is the future of the game.
The number of kids and are playing the game, and
women playing the game. I mean, you know, where do
most of the women playing in NRLW come from. They're
(10:27):
coming from this part of the world, you know. I mean,
so we've got all an actual fact our bid. We
said we would put a team into the NRLW. This
would be a world first in any sport. We said
we would put a team into the NRLW before the
men's team, a year before the men's team, whenever that
would take place.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
For more from sports talk, listen lives and news talks.
They'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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