‘Consolidate the Warriors’: Ivan Cleary’s reservations about second Kiwi NRL team

Ivan Cleary loves New Zealand.

But even as a seasoned premiership winner with the Penrith Panthers, the former Warriors coach concedes Aotearoa might not be ready for a second NRL side.

As the NRL eyes expansion to 20 teams as early as 2029, the location of what would be the last of those sides is still to be decided by the game’s powerbrokers.

The Perth Bears will enter the NRL in 2027, while the Papua New Guinea Chiefs will follow a year later.

With Auckland already the Warriors’ home, the South Island – and Christchurch in particular thanks to its new, state-of-the-art One New Zealand Stadium – looms as a very attractive proposition.

However, that success has been slowly built by the 31-year tenure of the Warriors, who have been able to lay down roots as New Zealand’s team – after rebranding away from Auckland in 2001 – with the fruits only now starting to show.

Should a second Kiwi team be introduced, the Warriors would in theory have to share that space, and fight to secure players and sponsors in a market they’ve traditionally dominated.

Speaking before his Panthers meet the Warriors tomorrow night, though, Cleary urged that while it seems a second Kiwi team is all but confirmed, his former side must come into the equation.

“I’ve had that question a few times lately, and I answer it the same way,” Cleary explained.

Ivan Cleary and son Nathan with the NRL's Provan-Summons Trophy. Photo / Photosport

“The main thing is to consolidate the Warriors. But the more and more I think about it, there’s a pretty good chance [a second team] might be over here.

“The game is growing, it’s just [about] that balance between expanding too quickly and consolidating what’s gone well so far.”

Warriors chief executive Cameron George has also urged consolidation, saying a proper growth strategy must be in place before a second Kiwi side is given the all-clear.

Another team based in Brisbane or Adelaide has been mooted as an alternative for a 20th side, should New Zealand be overlooked.

But, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, the NRL’s new $6.3 billion broadcast deal with Foxtel and Nine contains a clause that would impose a $20 million penalty from 2029 onwards, until a 20th team is introduced.

Meanwhile, returning to Mt Smart puts Cleary back in the arena with former assistant turned Warriors coach Andrew Webster.

Webster worked as Cleary’s attack coach at Penrith, and had a hand in two of the four successive premierships, before leaving for Auckland at the start of 2023.

Earlier this year, the two sides played out arguably the game of the season, where the Panthers pipped the Warriors in a 20-18 thriller in Parramatta.

And while Cleary has – for the most part – held the upper hand against his former charge, seeing Webster succeed at his old club is still pleasing to watch from afar.

“I’m definitely happy for him,” he continued. “It’s good to see him do well, it’s good to see the club do well.

“But we’re opponents this week. It’s pretty obvious that he’s done a great job here. With the staff and players, the club’s definitely going in the right direction.

“They have a clear style of footy they play. They’re a real threat, they play well at home, it’ll be a tight contest.

“They’ve been solid for quite some time, especially since Webby’s been there. They’re always there or thereabouts.

“They’re definitely threatening.”

Away from rugby league, the Panthers’ trip to Auckland will also allow Cleary to reunite with his youngest son, Jett.

As a way of getting out of the shadow of his father and superstar brother Nathan, 21-year-old Jett has been with the Warriors for the past two years, playing in the club’s reserve grade team.

Last year, Jett was part of the Warriors reserve grade side that won both the New South Wales Cup and NRL State Championship, and will also play in the curtain raiser against the Panthers on Friday afternoon.

Jett Cleary celebrates with dad Ivan and mum Rebecca after winning the NRL's State Championship in 2025. Photo / Photosport

Last month, when asked about a possible move to the Warriors as he prepares to test his value on the NRL’s open market, Nathan Cleary outlined he wouldn’t want to make any kind of switch that would hurt Jett’s development in any way.

And while the youngest Cleary waits for his first-grade debut, having the family back together for this week is another highlight of the trip to Auckland.

“Jett’s going well. It’s early in his journey. It’s good that their game is before ours, I get to have a bit of a look.

“My wife’s coming over, so she’s going to have an interesting day watching her two sons play for different teams. It’s unique.

“All you want is your kids to be happy – if they get on well, that’s a bonus. It’s good Nat’s looking out for Jetty, I know Jett’s more and more leaning on him for advice. It’s pretty cool.”

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.