Hopes high to secure games

Northlanders who got behind Saturday's Four Nations clash have done the region a favour in boosting Northland's chances of securing a British and Irish Lions game in 2017. Photo / John Stone

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.

"I got a buzz over that when I saw the number come up on the screen, that's bugger all more than we got," Mr Lynch said.

He said Northland had showed rugby league events had potential in Whangarei, adding he had given Warriors general manager Dean Bell a quiet word during Saturday's game.

"We'd love to get the Warriors back up here and build on the rugby league success. We're talking to them all the time."

NZRL chief executive Phil Holden had been in contact with Mr Lynch since the game, approving of the atmosphere and the way Whangarei had supported the event.

Coming up:
*Lions fireworks, tomorrow.
*Christmas Festival, December 13.
*Phoenix Development vs Wanderers, January 25.
*Blues vs Chiefs, pre season game, January 29.
*Fritter Festival, March 28.

Wish list:
*British and Irish Lions vs Northland in 2017.
*Rugby League World Cup matches in 2017.
*Warriors NRL game.
*Blues Super Rugby game.