League: National competition secures TV coverage

A revamped 10-team national competition will start in March with a deal for Maori Television to show a live game on Monday nights.

The New Zealand Rugby League is in discussion with sponsor Bartercard and Maori TV has still to discuss with Sky the handling of the curtainraiser to Warriors' games.

What is settled are the 10 teams which after a series of amalgamations reduces the number of Auckland sides from eight to five.

Gone are Hibiscus Coast, into North Harbour; Marist-Richmond which is now in a Central Auckland franchise with Mt Albert; and both the Eastern Tornadoes and Otahuhu-Ellerslie which merge to form a Tamaki side.

All coaches are confirmed. Geoff Morton moves from the Glenora Bears to the new Northland Alliance based in Whangarei.

Kiwis coach Brian McClennan has the metro Auckland club. Ken McIntosh continues at Harbour, former Brothers coach Bernie Perenara has the Waitakere franchise that replaces the Bears.

Dean Hunter is again in charge at Counties-Manukau so last year's Papakura coach Dean Clark moves to Tamaki. James Leuluai is not involved for the first time since 2001.

Also stepping back are Tawera Nikau and Len Reid, with Hiki Rutene to take the WaiCoa Bay Stallions.

David Lomax stays at the Central Falcons, Paul Bergman at Wellington and Phil Prescott with the only South Island side, the Canterbury Bulls.

The 10 teams play each other twice to find five finals sides.

There is a new complication requiring split rounds - the mid-year quadrangular tournament including the NZ Residents and selections from the Queensland Cup, the Sydney metro competition and the NSW state Jim Beam Cup.

The NZRL also wanted elite youth teams attached to each franchise so the NJC competition that starts in late February will include new Central Falcons under-16 and under-18 teams.

The interesting prospect with the emergence of Maori TV as a player - a two-year deal requiring a seven-figure commitment - is whether the relationship with Sky will expand to include free-to-air cover of the Kiwis/Kangaroos test in May and the Tri-Nations at the end of year.


Auckland teams

* North Harbour
* Central Auckland
* Tamaki
* Waitakere
* Counties Manukau