Blake Austin

So Queensland did seem obvious, but Christchurch, I love it.

The Kiwis, sorry, love our game.

And I think if there is a chance to really take on Rugby Union, now would be the time you strike.

I think to a lot of young Kiwis, like you're saying, Kempi, Australia has always been the promised land, and it still is.

There are kids that get on planes weekly and come and chase opportunities in our country.

I think to convince them to stay, I think the Warriors have got their junior structures in a much better place, but also the Warriors are that country's team now.

They don't have to compete with anyone.

So seeing a full stadium, seeing the carnival-like atmosphere at every single game, this stuff matters.

when families are now making decisions about what their kids are going to do for footy.

I guess the question is, what role do you think fans play for new organisations?

Because for me, I just think that Warriors badge is far too...

honored for that whole country like for what they went through in covert I struggle to see anyone that's now Warriors fan that goes oh let's go and support the new Christchurch team I think I think that adds to it it's important that if we are going to add a team I know it's going to help us get a few extra bucks in our bargaining agreement but it's important that we don't subtract from something that's been going so well also like instead of a new team why not take that same money and set up a reserve grade comp in New Zealand

I've brought this up before, boys, but if a 20th team is what we need to do to satisfy the broadcasters, we as a game need to upskill more footy players.

There is no question about that.

Now, we have a large number of players that have missed the boat but are still hanging on for dear hope.

We need to get them into full-time systems over the next couple of years so that we've got a pool of 50 to 70 more players that we can lean on.

Because all that we do, we spend all the time looking for the next 15-year-old and we forget that they can't play in the NRL for another eight years.

And then we're always behind the eight ball.

So let's not leave it too late.

If the 20th team is what we want to do, let's upskill as many footy players as we can over the next three or four years.