The success of the Kiwis and Samoa rugby league test at Toll Stadium has boosted Northland's hopes of hosting the British and Irish Lions in 2017 and Super Rugby and NRL matches.
The Northland Rugby Union and Venues and Events Whangarei have confirmed they will be making a play to host a Lions game against the Taniwha, with both saying Saturday's 16,912 crowd was encouraging for the region's chances.
Venues and Events Whangarei manager John Lynch said Northland's support for the Kiwis Four Nations match - a near sellout - had impressed him and New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL). Mr Lynch had dubbed the Kiwis' game a success, saying it was essentially a trial match for the region ahead of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
"When you're dealing with any of these sporting organisations, they want bums on seats out there. That's where they get their revenue from and that's what makes it financially viable," he said.
Helping promote Northland's hosting abilities was the turnout at the Australia and England Four Nations rugby league match in Melbourne last Sunday. From a city of four million, Melbourne's AAMI Stadium had only 20,585 - 3673 more than Whangarei's Toll Stadium.
