NRL

2025 - 2 - 7

NRL Frenzy: Auckland's Bid to Bring Mana Pasifika to Life!

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Can Auckland unite the Pacific with rugby league? Dive into the exciting bid for the Mana Pasifika NRL franchise!

Auckland is making waves in the world of rugby league with its proposed expansion franchise,Mana Pasifika, which aims to call Eden Park its home. This exciting bid seeks to unite the rich traditions of the Pacific Islands with the fervent passion of New Zealand's rugby league community. With an emphasis on celebrating Pasifika and Māori heritage, the Mana Pasifika franchise not only represents an ambitious sports initiative but also a cultural movement aimed at spotlighting the incredible talent that flows from these backgrounds.

The NRL landscape is buzzing with anticipation, as discussions around this potential new franchise hots up. With the hopes of making it the 20th team in the NRL, the bid is backed by influential figures who are confident that Auckland can sustain two successful teams in the competition. A financial and community-focused plan is in the works, aiming to secure support from fans and businesses alike, as they launch this pivotal step towards creating a team that could symbolize diversity, inclusion, and pride in Kiwi culture.

In addition to the Mana Pasifika bid, NRL's popularity is on the rise with the launch of the official NRL Fantasy podcast! Hosted by Paulie G and his crew, the podcast dives deep into team dynamics, player performances, and insights for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the league, the Wests Tigers have kicked off their season at a launch event, whilst intriguing talks about potential transfers are keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The Raid's block of a chief half's move to the open market has stirred conversations about how team strategies will impact player dynamics heading into the season.

To add a dash of excitement, the recent tie-up between the NRL and UFC has football fans buzzing! As UFC stars come down for their Sydney finale, NRL players have had the chance to mingle with MMA fighters, opening up fun discussions about who could transition from the footy field to the Octagon. With heaps of speculation on which NRL players could make a mark in martial arts, fans are left wondering - who might score a knockout in both sports?

Interestingly, the NRL HOGS National Tour has just kicked off, featuring legendary players like Brad Fittler, celebrating the footy culture across New Zealand and Australia. Also, did you know that the brainchild behind the Mana Pasifika bid believes Auckland can comfortably host two NRL teams? Let's all keep our glorious fingers crossed for this thrilling new addition to the league!

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Mana Pasifika: The proposed Auckland NRL expansion franchise (RNZ)

Auckland becomes the latest team to throw its hat in the ring for a new NRL franchise, which would be dubbed Mana Pasifika and call Eden Park home.

Mana Pasifika Bid For NRL Expansion Unveiled (Scoop.co.nz)

Mana Pasifika seeks to unite the rich traditions of the Pacific Islands with the passion of New Zealand's rugby league community. The bid has also received ...

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Image courtesy of "NRL.COM"

NRL Fantasy Podcast - Episode 1 (NRL.COM)

Fantasy is back for 2025 and with it is the official NRL Fantasy podcast! Join Paulie G and the guys as they breakdown the first team lists of the year and ...

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Image courtesy of "Wests Tigers"

Gallery: Wests Tigers NRL Season Launch (Wests Tigers)

Wests Tigers held its NRL Season Launch at Wests League Club, Campbelltown on Thursday night.

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

NRL's 20th team? Ambitious expansion bid to 'unite the Pacific ... (Fox Sports)

A fresh NRL expansion bid has been launched with the aim of “representing the vibrant culture, heritage, and values of Pasifika and Māori athletes”.

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Image courtesy of "Canberra Raiders"

NRL Stars of Vegas infiltrate UFC | Raiders (Canberra Raiders)

With the UFC coming to Sydney this week, NRL players get to meet the UFC stars and invite them to Vegas for the Season Opener.

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

Raiders block chief half's move to hit open market; Madge set for $2 ... (Fox Sports)

Raiders block chief half's move to hit open market; Madge set for $2m win: Transfer Whispers.

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Image courtesy of "NRL.COM"

Footy field vs the Octagon (NRL.COM)

With the UFC in Sydney this week nrl.com took the opportunity to ask some of the very best NRL players who could make an impact in the Octagon.

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Image courtesy of "Zero Tackle"

Which THREE players could be the biggest X-factor in 2025? (Zero Tackle)

3. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos). Entering his prime, Haas will want to dominate in 2025. 2024 was a year to forget, as Haas coped with off-field personal ...

One of the backers behind the newly announced Auckland NRL ... (NZCity)

One of the backers behind the newly announced Auckland NRL franchise bid believes the city's big enough for two teams in the Aussie league competition.

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Image courtesy of "NRL.COM"

NRL HOGS National Tour gets underway (NRL.COM)

The HOGS National Tour, presented by Westpac and led by Brad Fittler, have commenced their tour on Friday 7th February starting from Penrith.

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Image courtesy of "NRL.COM"

Jett Cleary takes the field (NRL.COM)

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future.

A Maori-Pacific consortium has publicly launched its bid to join the ... (NZCity)

The bid has been launched under the name Mana Pasifika, a similar name to Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific. Former Kiwis centre Fred Ah Kuoi , who has ...

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

NRL preseason: Warriors draw 12-12 against Sharks (RNZ)

NZ Warriors have kicked off their 2025 NRL campaign with a sloppy 12-12 draw against Cronulla Sharks in Sydney.

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Image courtesy of "NRL.COM"

Pre-Season Challenge Round 1: Sharks and Warriors can't be split (NRL.COM)

Follow all the action and reaction from the opening match of the 2025 Witzer Pre-Season Challenge between the Sharks and Warriors in our live blog on ...

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Image courtesy of "NEWS.com.au"

Nathan Cleary's brother turns heads in NRL (NEWS.com.au)

The Warriors are sweating on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's fitness with the try-scoring machine in doubt for round one in Las Vegas after he was forced off ...

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

NRL trials 2025 LIVE updates: Cleary makes Warriors debut as ... (The Sydney Morning Herald)

The 2025 season begins with the first trial match out at Shark Park tonight. Follow all the action.

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

FOOTY IS BACK: Cult hero crosses as Sharks host Warriors in first ... (Fox Sports)

FOOTY IS BACK: Cult hero crosses as Sharks host Warriors in first NRL game of 2025 — LIVE.

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Image courtesy of "Cronulla Sharks"

NRL Trial Preview: Sharks v Warriors (Cronulla Sharks)

Experience and youth will combine when the Sharks host a formidable Warriors side to kick off the 2025 NRL Pre-Season Challenge on Friday night.

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

'The guy is crazy': How club great, brutal Manly realisation lit fuse for ... (Fox Sports)

'The guy is crazy': How club great, brutal Manly realisation lit fuse for breakout Raiders star.

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Image courtesy of "NRL.COM"

Wigan blow after Test prop ruled out of Vegas clash (NRL.COM)

England prop Ethan Havard isn't just out of Wigan's trip to Las Vegas - coach Matty Peet says the 24-year-old will be sidelined for “a few months at least”.

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Image courtesy of "Cronulla Sharks"

Pre-Season Challenge Live Blog - Sharks v Warriors (Cronulla Sharks)

Follow all the action and reaction from the opening match of the 2025 Witzer Pre-Season Challenge between the Sharks and Warriors in our live blog on ...

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Warriors v Sharks: What we learned from first NRL pre-season trial ... (New Zealand Herald)

Middle of the road Friday was a fruit salad of a performance from the Warriors; some tasty morsels but nothing to rave about to your friends, or make you...

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ruled out of Warriors' pre-season opener ... (Stuff.co.nz)

Coach Andrew Webster has unveiled his first line-up of the year and has been forced to make a late change ahead of facing Cronulla.

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Image courtesy of "NBN News"

NRL Hogs tour kicks off in Tamworth - NBN News (NBN News)

They've hit the open road spreading messages of good health and passion for rugby league - the NRL's Hogs Tour roaring into Tamworth late yesterday. L.

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