For more than two years, Cox and his team have been in contact with the NRL over the possibility of bringing a franchise to Christchurch.
The group includes heavy hitters such as Reon Edwards, who is described as “one of New Zealand rugby league’s most respected governors”, having served at regional, national and international levels; Lauren Quaintance, chair of economic development agency ChristchurchNZ and a former Sky TV executive; Michael Goldstein, the man behind the NZ Open golf event; and council staff.
The team behind Christchurch City Council’s NRL ambitions. Lauren Quaintance, Reon Edwards and Michael Goldstein. The team behind Christchurch City Council’s talks with the NRL and discussions on bringing a team to the city: (from top) Lauren Quaintance, Reon Edwards and Michael Goldstein.
It had been suggested that the group was subject to non-disclosure agreements with the NRL – but Cox denied that.
Quaintance was asked about the likelihood of “having an NRL team” by 2035 at the Herald’s Project Canterbury event at One NZ Stadium last week and replied: “I couldn’t possibly comment on that.”
NDA or not, the group is tight-lipped.
If reports out of Australia are correct, rugby league fans won’t have long to wait until a decision is made – media from across the Tasman have reported that the 20th franchise will be known before Christmas.
Australian media has also reported two more bids – one from Logan in southeast Queensland and another New Zealand bid, from Hamilton.
The Waikato bid was reportedly tied to Tainui Group Holdings – but the commercial arm of the iwi denied any involvement.
A statement from TGH chair Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua said: “TGH is not in discussions with the NRL and is not considering an investment of this nature.”
The highest-profile Australian bid is with the Ipswich Jets. They’re considered to be a credible threat to a Christchurch franchise and can boast the support of two of the game’s most influential figures in Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis and South Sydney head coach Wayne Bennett.
Wayne Bennett. Photo / Photosport
Speaking to Brisbane’s Courier Mail recently, Ipswich Jets bid chief Steve Johnson talked down Christchurch.
“The thing to consider with expansion is the challenges of expanding into a new and unproven market. The problem with Christchurch is that New Zealand’s pathways are not as established as ours in Brisbane’s western corridor,” he said.
“97 per cent of businesses in New Zealand employ 20 people or fewer – they don’t have the economy that we possess in Queensland. Brisbane’s western corridor is the fastest-growing region in Australia and with the Olympics coming here in 2032, we’ll only get bigger.
“Just like the Redcliffe Dolphins, we’re an existing rugby league club with a full rugby league ecosystem from juniors all the way through to, hopefully, the NRL.”
The Christchurch City Council has previously said it is working with “key stakeholders” but had also ruled out the city’s most visible bid – the Southern Orcas.
“We have met with the Southern Orcas. However, at this stage we have not seen a financial and commercial model that provides a pathway to success,” the council has said previously.
Prototype Southern Orcas NRL jersey.
It has been a torrid month for the Southern Orcas – though they insist they’re still in the hunt to secure their place for the 2029 NRL season.
As well as being shunned by Christchurch City Council, they’ve been turned down by former Crusaders and All Blacks coach Scott Robertson – their first choice as head coach.
Unperturbed and unsurprised, Orcas managing director Andrew Chalmers describes rugby league as a “collision sport on and off the field”.
He and his business partner Sir Graham Lowe are lining up for another carry as the decision date draws nearer.
“Our focus has moved from establishing the case for a Christchurch-based NRL club to building the organisation that would actually deliver it,” Chalmers said.
Southern Orcas bid is led by Sir Graham Lowe and businessman Andrew Chalmers. Photo / Supplied
“We have been progressing the capital and investment structure, governance, football operations, commercial partnerships, player pathways, stadium arrangements and the proposed Centre of Excellence.”
The Orcas have an agreement in place with wealthy Christchurch developer the Carter Group to use land near Rolleston as a training base and headquarters.
Mike Thorpe is a senior multimedia journalist for the Herald, based in Christchurch. He has been a broadcast journalist across television and radio for 20 years and joined the Herald in August 2024.