A bid for a Palmerston North franchise in the national rugby league competition is being bankrolled by a former All Black player, Mark Donaldson, and a former manager, Mike Banks.
The pair own hotels in the region and sponsor a number of sports in the Manawatu.
They have been approached bya league enthusiast, Paul Shailer, who has held talks with the New Zealand Rugby League and the Warriors.
The objective is to have a Bartercard Cup side competing next year in addition to a colts side and the provincial representative side.
