Warriors coach shuts down idea of NZ expansion

Warriors coach Andrew Webster has denied the need for expansion in New Zealand as the NRL continues to eye off having more teams in the competition.

As it becomes more and more likely that Papua New Guinea will be the next side entered into the NRL, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has stated his desire to have 20 teams in the future.

After the Warriors’ fourth placed finish last season, New Zealand has been suggested as another location for expansion.

Webster believes it would not be viable.

“I don’t (believe it’s a good idea) at the moment, no,” he said on 2GB’s Wide World of Sports Radio.

Andrew Webster doesn’t believe the NRL should expand to New Zealand yet.

“The thing for me is we’ve just generated some momentum, I think we’re after some sustained success in this country first of all.

“The Warriors, we need to become giants over a long period of time, similar to what the Broncos have done, they’ve done it over a long period of time. They’re the giants of Queensland in the competition and if we did that then I think it’d be time to expand.

“Until we have that sustained success, I think the whole country is pretty much enjoying getting around one team at the moment and we’ve got a lot of competition here from rugby union and we’re making ground.

“So don’t dilute the product, don’t change that, because I think you’re only going to lose ground.”

The Warriors come into the 2024 season determined to not display any signs of second-year syndrome under Webster after returning to finals for the first time since 2018.

The Panthers and Broncos have been the early premiership favourites but the Warriors coach believes his side can go to the next level and win the competition.

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“I think we can, I don’t make that comment lightly, it’s the hardest competition in the world, everyone improves,” he said.

“North Queensland and Souths missed the eight last year, there was other good sides that missed it. I think the salary cap, adding Redcliffe (Dolphins) to it, I think it’s created a really tough competition and you don’t know on any day if you turn up whether you can win or lose.

“… I think we can improve, I think we can go one step further, I think we can do it, I’m really confident but I don’t take it lightly on how hard it can be. We’re going to have to improve a lot to do it.”