'Double-edged sword': Stowers-Smith on potential South Island NRL team
Warriors forward Tanner Stowers-Smith has called a potential NRL team in the South Island a “double-edged sword”.
Documents released to Newstalk ZB revealed Christchurch City Council had been working with the NRL for almost two years on bringing a team to the city, while former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson was offered a coaching role with the Southern Orcas bid.
Stowers-Smith, who is from Christchurch, felt a team in the South Island could be a good opportunity, but might impact on the Warriors’ success.
“It’s a bit of a hard one for me really, it’d be really cool for the south and like for where I’m from, but I feel like we’re building something so great here at the Warriors,” the prop said.
“It’s sort of like a double-edged sword, it’d be such a great thing, but at the same time, it would probably take away from what we have here and what we’re building, the success.
“It can divide, which is my opinion, and especially in sort of a shorter period of time ... [the] next one or two years.
Tanner Stowers-Smith taking pictures with Warriors fans after their win against the Cowboys in Christchurch. Photo / Photosport
“I just feel like it might divide the power and the strength we’re building here and we want to sort of jump on that and make the most of it and keep building this club and this country because we’ve got the whole country behind us.”
The 22-year-old also spoke positively about the growth of rugby league in the South Island and the pathways for players.
“There’s a lot of South Island boys now too, like myself, which is real cool.
“We’re building a good partnership back home, so that’s awesome to see the South Island names in there.
“It’s a rugby-dominated city, so for the boys to see there’s a path through rugby league and it’s growing down there too, and especially with the new stadium, it’s awesome.
Tanner Stowers-Smith, from Christchurch, highlighted potential negatives for the Warriors if a South Island NRL team was formed. photo / Photosport
“There’s heaps of new boys coming through that you’re seeing through Cup now and that are going to be progressing in the next two to three years. it’s really exciting.”
Meanwhile, Warriors coach Andrew Webster shared some advice for Scott Robertson if he were to coach the potential Canterbury-based side.
“I find if people want to cross codes, they’ve got to be good man managers and I’ve heard that he is,” Webster said.
“He’s obviously had a lot of success and they’ve got to be willing to make sure that they hire people who are absolute experts in each area of the game ... and I’m sure Razor, if he got that opportunity and by the way he might not want it... But if he does, I’m sure he’s smart enough to realise that and get the right people.
“But I’ll leave that up to Razor that one, he’s a terrific guy.”
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