Not that long ago sponsors were running away from rugby league in New Zealand as the national body lurched from one controversy to the next, but today they announced the biggest sponsorship deal in New Zealand rugby league's history.
Pirtek, who were sponsors for the Kiwis' World Cup success in 2008, have rejoined "the family'" with a three-year deal which targets support of the game from the top to the bottom.
It was not disclosed how much money is being invested, but NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle said it was "the biggest sponsorship New Zealand Rugby League has ever had'' and will help to accelerate the development of the game.
It comes on the back of last week's announcement that businessman Owen Glenn had taken a 50 per cent stake of the Warriors with Eric Watson, and had big plans to revitalise rugby league in the country.
"This is a pretty special day for New Zealand rugby league,'' Doyle said. "Our big focus is to grow the game across the country and develop it as much as possible so we can actually get ourselves to a position where rugby league should be across the country.''
