1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,947 Speaker 1: from newstalk EDB. 3 00:00:12,867 --> 00:00:17,267 Speaker 2: As we prepare for rugby league's Pacific Nations Championship. International 4 00:00:17,387 --> 00:00:20,467 Speaker 2: rugby league continues to battle for space and for relevance 5 00:00:20,987 --> 00:00:23,547 Speaker 2: in the sports calendar. When the Keywis play Australia in 6 00:00:23,627 --> 00:00:27,467 Speaker 2: christ Church on the twenty seventh of October, it'll be 7 00:00:27,787 --> 00:00:29,987 Speaker 2: a year since they last played a Test. 8 00:00:30,267 --> 00:00:33,107 Speaker 1: It's a record went over as tinie for New Zealand 9 00:00:33,427 --> 00:00:35,107 Speaker 1: sixty points. 10 00:00:34,747 --> 00:00:38,107 Speaker 2: To now it wouldn't so the Pacific Championship roll on 11 00:00:38,227 --> 00:00:40,707 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four. Yeaw roll on twenty twenty four, but 12 00:00:40,787 --> 00:00:43,187 Speaker 2: it's taken a year for the Keywis to get back 13 00:00:43,187 --> 00:00:45,747 Speaker 2: out there. New Zealand Rugby League CEO Greg Peters is 14 00:00:45,747 --> 00:00:48,587 Speaker 2: with us. Greg, thanks for your time. How challenging is 15 00:00:48,627 --> 00:00:52,387 Speaker 2: it to fit international matches into what is a crowded 16 00:00:52,907 --> 00:00:54,907 Speaker 2: NRL Rugby league calendar. 17 00:00:55,867 --> 00:00:59,027 Speaker 3: Look, it's a very jam season now, that's the problem. 18 00:00:59,067 --> 00:01:02,147 Speaker 3: I think a very long, hard season for players. And 19 00:01:02,387 --> 00:01:03,787 Speaker 3: you know, when you look at some of the stats 20 00:01:03,787 --> 00:01:07,387 Speaker 3: that came out of that final last weekend, for thirty 21 00:01:07,427 --> 00:01:10,147 Speaker 3: five minutes, thirty three minutes of ball and play. It's 22 00:01:10,187 --> 00:01:14,067 Speaker 3: just staggering and the pace of the game has gone 23 00:01:14,147 --> 00:01:16,827 Speaker 3: up in other notch as well in recent recent times, 24 00:01:16,827 --> 00:01:19,107 Speaker 3: so you know, it takes it out of the players. 25 00:01:19,147 --> 00:01:22,387 Speaker 3: And without a doubt, it's a big season. And we've 26 00:01:22,387 --> 00:01:24,347 Speaker 3: now got Vegas at the start of the season and 27 00:01:24,347 --> 00:01:28,187 Speaker 3: the All Stars, and then you know, through the whole 28 00:01:28,227 --> 00:01:31,187 Speaker 3: twenty six weeks of NRL plus state of origin for 29 00:01:31,307 --> 00:01:34,027 Speaker 3: some players on top of that, it gets to be 30 00:01:34,267 --> 00:01:35,067 Speaker 3: pretty tough season. 31 00:01:35,107 --> 00:01:38,227 Speaker 2: Really, it feels greg like the NRL have all of 32 00:01:38,267 --> 00:01:41,147 Speaker 2: the power here. Is that how it feels to you? 33 00:01:42,347 --> 00:01:46,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, look, they certainly are. You know that they do 34 00:01:46,747 --> 00:01:49,227 Speaker 3: what's best for the NRL, and you would expect them 35 00:01:49,227 --> 00:01:51,867 Speaker 3: to do that, and they have messed commercial deals and 36 00:01:51,907 --> 00:01:56,507 Speaker 3: broadcasting deals that revolve around the NRL competition and state 37 00:01:56,547 --> 00:01:59,867 Speaker 3: of origin. But what we would like to see is 38 00:02:00,307 --> 00:02:04,227 Speaker 3: a decent chunk of the season being dedicated to international 39 00:02:04,227 --> 00:02:07,827 Speaker 3: footing so that you can have a reasonable program and 40 00:02:07,907 --> 00:02:10,747 Speaker 3: you can actually have the players turning up in reasonable 41 00:02:10,787 --> 00:02:13,227 Speaker 3: shape to play at the topical of the game. 42 00:02:13,667 --> 00:02:18,907 Speaker 2: In your discussions with the NRL, how likely does that feel? Difficult? 43 00:02:18,987 --> 00:02:21,787 Speaker 3: We'll be will be what I'd say. But if you 44 00:02:21,827 --> 00:02:23,827 Speaker 3: look at what what what's happened in the last couple 45 00:02:23,827 --> 00:02:27,267 Speaker 3: of years of the Spacific Championships. That's a massive investment 46 00:02:27,547 --> 00:02:30,027 Speaker 3: by the n r L and jed Rol for the 47 00:02:30,067 --> 00:02:32,427 Speaker 3: matches that are in New Zealand that we host because 48 00:02:32,427 --> 00:02:38,147 Speaker 3: they're they're under our watch and our risk. But the 49 00:02:38,387 --> 00:02:39,667 Speaker 3: you know, when you look at what they're doing in 50 00:02:39,707 --> 00:02:43,387 Speaker 3: the Islands and the second tier of the of the Bowl, 51 00:02:44,667 --> 00:02:47,227 Speaker 3: it's a mess of investment in both means and women's games. 52 00:02:47,227 --> 00:02:49,947 Speaker 3: So we've got to respect that they're putting the money in. 53 00:02:50,027 --> 00:02:51,947 Speaker 3: But the end of the day, if you really want 54 00:02:51,987 --> 00:02:53,867 Speaker 3: to return out of the international game, you've got to 55 00:02:53,867 --> 00:02:57,587 Speaker 3: give a clear space where the top players available and 56 00:02:57,707 --> 00:03:01,107 Speaker 3: a decent window to really banetize it and make it 57 00:03:01,827 --> 00:03:04,187 Speaker 3: appeal to the hearts and minds of fans around the world. 58 00:03:04,307 --> 00:03:06,707 Speaker 2: Yeah, look absolutely, one hundred percent. And I think what 59 00:03:06,747 --> 00:03:08,947 Speaker 2: we're talking about here, Greg, if I'm hearing you correctly, 60 00:03:09,067 --> 00:03:11,227 Speaker 2: is a mid year window. As you say, we've got 61 00:03:11,227 --> 00:03:13,027 Speaker 2: the Pacific Nations Championship now, but a lot of the 62 00:03:13,027 --> 00:03:16,507 Speaker 2: players are unavailable. Look at the squad that Stacy Jones named, 63 00:03:16,507 --> 00:03:18,987 Speaker 2: you know, with so many absentees and more in the 64 00:03:19,067 --> 00:03:23,267 Speaker 2: last few days. I mean mid mid year feels like 65 00:03:23,307 --> 00:03:25,387 Speaker 2: the place, right, would that be what you'd be keen 66 00:03:25,427 --> 00:03:28,067 Speaker 2: on to see a mid year international window back? 67 00:03:29,387 --> 00:03:32,347 Speaker 3: Yes, we would be, and again our players have said 68 00:03:32,387 --> 00:03:34,547 Speaker 3: that as well, and things like the exact tests. We 69 00:03:34,547 --> 00:03:39,587 Speaker 3: should be and we should be using that and sort 70 00:03:39,627 --> 00:03:43,467 Speaker 3: of celebrating that amazing event that it could be by 71 00:03:43,547 --> 00:03:46,747 Speaker 3: having Australians Illa matches in that window as well. And 72 00:03:46,787 --> 00:03:48,547 Speaker 3: if we had a break in the NFL season that 73 00:03:48,547 --> 00:03:52,027 Speaker 3: would allow us to do that. Bearing in mind that 74 00:03:52,827 --> 00:03:55,947 Speaker 3: you know, the Pacific country players are able to play 75 00:03:56,067 --> 00:03:58,707 Speaker 3: Origin through that window and the Knis aren't, which is 76 00:03:58,747 --> 00:04:03,227 Speaker 3: another debate which we would like to see advanced. We 77 00:04:03,227 --> 00:04:06,307 Speaker 3: would certainly like to have a clear window back. Again. 78 00:04:06,507 --> 00:04:09,667 Speaker 3: We used to have one week of a stand alone 79 00:04:09,707 --> 00:04:13,507 Speaker 3: State of Origin weekend when when week of play internationals 80 00:04:13,507 --> 00:04:17,027 Speaker 3: against the Pacific countries, which which was fantastic, but even 81 00:04:17,067 --> 00:04:18,947 Speaker 3: a longer window would be would be better. 82 00:04:19,467 --> 00:04:21,267 Speaker 2: Why was it taken away? 83 00:04:21,787 --> 00:04:23,587 Speaker 3: Well, the n r I decided that they were going 84 00:04:23,627 --> 00:04:28,467 Speaker 3: to play Origin on Wednesday Wednesday, so it took out 85 00:04:28,507 --> 00:04:33,227 Speaker 3: the clear weekend when when there was no club footy 86 00:04:33,267 --> 00:04:33,987 Speaker 3: and only Origin. 87 00:04:34,667 --> 00:04:34,947 Speaker 2: Uh. 88 00:04:35,027 --> 00:04:37,067 Speaker 3: And I think if you look at that even the 89 00:04:37,107 --> 00:04:40,187 Speaker 3: demands on players backing up from a Wednesday night state 90 00:04:40,227 --> 00:04:42,787 Speaker 3: of origin. And in some cases we've quite a few 91 00:04:42,827 --> 00:04:45,747 Speaker 3: cases playing club footy on a weekend. That's it's a 92 00:04:45,747 --> 00:04:48,547 Speaker 3: massive ask. I don't think you've seen any other codes 93 00:04:49,067 --> 00:04:49,867 Speaker 3: doing it quite like that. 94 00:04:50,427 --> 00:04:53,387 Speaker 2: In your discussions with the players, Greg, do they want 95 00:04:53,427 --> 00:04:55,507 Speaker 2: to play international rugby league? 96 00:04:56,667 --> 00:04:59,507 Speaker 3: Absolutely? If you look at the currently current squad at 97 00:04:59,507 --> 00:05:02,187 Speaker 3: the moment, people like James Fisher, Harris or Charms or 98 00:05:02,427 --> 00:05:04,267 Speaker 3: that they're on record as saying they want to play 99 00:05:04,267 --> 00:05:07,107 Speaker 3: more internationals and they want that mid year window back 100 00:05:07,147 --> 00:05:10,467 Speaker 3: and and and there's nothing great, no greater pride in 101 00:05:10,547 --> 00:05:13,387 Speaker 3: putting on a national jersey. And and that's you know 102 00:05:13,427 --> 00:05:15,747 Speaker 3: that that's coming from the players, nows, that's not just 103 00:05:15,867 --> 00:05:17,027 Speaker 3: that's not an administrators. 104 00:05:17,427 --> 00:05:20,987 Speaker 2: So as we try to find clear air for the 105 00:05:21,027 --> 00:05:25,147 Speaker 2: international game, how powerful could the players' voices be in 106 00:05:25,147 --> 00:05:25,787 Speaker 2: that discussion. 107 00:05:26,827 --> 00:05:28,627 Speaker 3: I think I think they're a very important part, Like 108 00:05:28,707 --> 00:05:31,187 Speaker 3: they are in every conversation. We should always respect the 109 00:05:31,267 --> 00:05:34,827 Speaker 3: views of players and listen to what they're saying. And 110 00:05:34,827 --> 00:05:37,347 Speaker 3: and it's not it's not only in the New Zealand context, 111 00:05:37,347 --> 00:05:40,667 Speaker 3: but also players who go back to play for their 112 00:05:40,667 --> 00:05:44,027 Speaker 3: cultural heritage and it's a very big part of who 113 00:05:44,067 --> 00:05:46,307 Speaker 3: who our players are. You know, when we look at 114 00:05:46,387 --> 00:05:49,747 Speaker 3: New Zealand participants in rugby league, it's eighty six percent 115 00:05:49,827 --> 00:05:52,467 Speaker 3: Maori pacifica and culture is a massive part of that. 116 00:05:52,987 --> 00:05:56,467 Speaker 3: And playing for your country and your culture and baro 117 00:05:56,667 --> 00:06:00,587 Speaker 3: and fans is a really incredible part. And this is 118 00:06:00,627 --> 00:06:02,907 Speaker 3: the time that they get to play, to play under 119 00:06:02,947 --> 00:06:06,827 Speaker 3: the national flag and represent their countries and have great 120 00:06:06,827 --> 00:06:07,307 Speaker 3: pride in that. 121 00:06:07,507 --> 00:06:09,987 Speaker 2: Yeah, and that is undoubtedly true of New Zealand players 122 00:06:09,987 --> 00:06:11,907 Speaker 2: and those in the Pacific islands as well. But by 123 00:06:11,947 --> 00:06:15,187 Speaker 2: contrast is part of the problem here Greg that for 124 00:06:15,227 --> 00:06:19,827 Speaker 2: Australian players, state of origin is actually considered a higher 125 00:06:19,867 --> 00:06:21,987 Speaker 2: honor than playing for Australia. 126 00:06:22,787 --> 00:06:24,907 Speaker 3: I think that's true. I think the state of origin, 127 00:06:25,347 --> 00:06:27,227 Speaker 3: it's always been one of our debates, is sort of 128 00:06:27,267 --> 00:06:32,347 Speaker 3: ranked in many people's minds ahead of international football, which 129 00:06:32,387 --> 00:06:34,907 Speaker 3: is sort of the wrong pecking order. Certainly seen as 130 00:06:35,227 --> 00:06:38,027 Speaker 3: a trial for Australia when they play for state of 131 00:06:38,027 --> 00:06:41,827 Speaker 3: origin teams and select the Kangaroos off and out of 132 00:06:41,867 --> 00:06:42,467 Speaker 3: those games. 133 00:06:42,507 --> 00:06:45,147 Speaker 2: Really, if we look forward, the NRL are on record, 134 00:06:45,187 --> 00:06:47,227 Speaker 2: and you know, they're very keen to expand. They want 135 00:06:47,267 --> 00:06:49,627 Speaker 2: to get to twenty teams in the NRL, which I 136 00:06:49,667 --> 00:06:53,547 Speaker 2: guess will add even more games to the NRL season. 137 00:06:54,307 --> 00:06:57,027 Speaker 2: Against that backdrop, do you feel optimistic you can make 138 00:06:57,067 --> 00:06:59,827 Speaker 2: some headway with what you want internationally. 139 00:07:00,827 --> 00:07:05,107 Speaker 3: When they get to the twenty team mark. If they do, 140 00:07:05,907 --> 00:07:09,027 Speaker 3: then that I think provides opportunities to split into two 141 00:07:09,067 --> 00:07:15,347 Speaker 3: conferences of team being a minder. The NRL competition is 142 00:07:15,387 --> 00:07:18,907 Speaker 3: not a pure two round competition anyway, that's only around 143 00:07:18,947 --> 00:07:22,747 Speaker 3: and a half in reality. So to be able to 144 00:07:22,747 --> 00:07:25,947 Speaker 3: split into conferences and have some cross conference play and 145 00:07:26,027 --> 00:07:30,267 Speaker 3: reduce the number of weeks without reducing the value to 146 00:07:30,307 --> 00:07:33,227 Speaker 3: the broadcaster because the number of games probably goes up 147 00:07:33,267 --> 00:07:37,027 Speaker 3: over that period. That that, our believer, is a realistic 148 00:07:37,027 --> 00:07:39,867 Speaker 3: option that they should consider to give a longer window 149 00:07:40,307 --> 00:07:44,587 Speaker 3: for international matches, which also when you look at the 150 00:07:44,587 --> 00:07:47,827 Speaker 3: countries around the world, it enables them to build a 151 00:07:47,947 --> 00:07:51,187 Speaker 3: commercial program off their international teams, which is what other 152 00:07:51,227 --> 00:07:55,427 Speaker 3: sports do, and be more viable and invest more in 153 00:07:55,427 --> 00:07:58,707 Speaker 3: the game within their own domestic territories, which currently is 154 00:07:58,707 --> 00:08:03,227 Speaker 3: a real battle because we're heavily dependent on the NROL 155 00:08:03,387 --> 00:08:06,787 Speaker 3: to do that. Into the islands and to you know, 156 00:08:06,867 --> 00:08:09,187 Speaker 3: fund the game generally, So it would be better if 157 00:08:09,507 --> 00:08:11,387 Speaker 3: I think if we're in an international program that a 158 00:08:12,067 --> 00:08:16,787 Speaker 3: enabled national pride and cultural heritage, but also a commercial 159 00:08:16,827 --> 00:08:20,387 Speaker 3: program that you can build a really sustainable model from. 160 00:08:20,587 --> 00:08:23,507 Speaker 2: We've got to get that ANZAC Day or ANZAC test back, 161 00:08:23,547 --> 00:08:25,947 Speaker 2: don't we greg them. I couldn't believe we haven't had 162 00:08:25,947 --> 00:08:28,507 Speaker 2: that since twenty seventeen. We've got to try and get 163 00:08:28,547 --> 00:08:30,667 Speaker 2: that ANZAC test back, don't we. 164 00:08:30,667 --> 00:08:33,267 Speaker 3: Well, I absolutely believe that. I think that should be 165 00:08:33,307 --> 00:08:36,787 Speaker 3: the the the Marquee game and that window and taied 166 00:08:36,867 --> 00:08:39,387 Speaker 3: on or around Anzac Day like they are with a 167 00:08:39,467 --> 00:08:41,947 Speaker 3: club footy. But it's different when it's national and it 168 00:08:41,947 --> 00:08:45,027 Speaker 3: should be in New Zealand Australia obviously because that's the 169 00:08:45,067 --> 00:08:49,747 Speaker 3: inzact relationship, and you know we're we're letting other other 170 00:08:49,947 --> 00:08:52,867 Speaker 3: codes sneak into that conversation whereas we should have owned it. 171 00:08:52,987 --> 00:08:55,707 Speaker 2: Indeed, indeed, all right, well, well, looking into the Pacific 172 00:08:55,787 --> 00:08:57,827 Speaker 2: Nations Championship, looking forward to that, where you're starting to 173 00:08:57,867 --> 00:08:59,867 Speaker 2: think you might have to get your boots out to 174 00:08:59,907 --> 00:09:00,707 Speaker 2: play in the halves. 175 00:09:02,067 --> 00:09:04,907 Speaker 3: Now, I'm going to tell a little general Stacey Jones 176 00:09:04,907 --> 00:09:08,867 Speaker 3: Eyre too. But I'm a lot further down the picking order, 177 00:09:08,867 --> 00:09:11,627 Speaker 3: and thank goodnesses and front rowers and middle rows that 178 00:09:11,707 --> 00:09:12,987 Speaker 3: could get well before me. 179 00:09:13,227 --> 00:09:15,147 Speaker 2: Indeed, all right, Greg, well we look forward to that 180 00:09:15,307 --> 00:09:18,547 Speaker 2: and hopefully some headway you can make some headway on 181 00:09:19,027 --> 00:09:22,587 Speaker 2: getting international rugby league a bit more relevant and getting 182 00:09:22,587 --> 00:09:24,987 Speaker 2: that midseason window back, getting the ANZAC test back on 183 00:09:25,107 --> 00:09:28,187 Speaker 2: the agenda as Well'll appreciate you taking the time for 184 00:09:28,187 --> 00:09:29,107 Speaker 2: a chat this afternoon. 185 00:09:29,267 --> 00:09:30,907 Speaker 3: Jesus funny as always. 186 00:09:31,227 --> 00:09:34,067 Speaker 2: Thanks Greg, Greg Peter's there, New Zealand Rugby League CEO. 187 00:09:35,587 --> 00:09:39,107 Speaker 2: Such a challenging situation. Can you find me a solution 188 00:09:39,227 --> 00:09:43,347 Speaker 2: to this? Can somebody give me the answer? That's probably 189 00:09:44,307 --> 00:09:46,707 Speaker 2: asking the impossible, because if we had an answer, we'd 190 00:09:46,827 --> 00:09:47,507 Speaker 2: have the solution. 191 00:09:48,507 --> 00:09:51,707 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 192 00:09:51,827 --> 00:09:55,227 Speaker 1: to news talks'd be weekends from midday, or follow the 193 00:09:55,267 --> 00:09:56,747 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio