Four Nations tournament expected to draw big crowds

Rugby league’s Four Nations tournament is taking a brave gamble in hosting its 2014 edition, with Brisbane set to host a series opening double-header and Wellington to stage the final.

While playing in Brisbane and Wollongong, cities with strong rugby league traditions, tournament organisers have turned their back on Auckland, the hotbed of the sport in New Zealand, and Sydney.

Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will host the series opening double-header ahead of a first ever final for the event in New Zealand. Featuring Australia, England and New Zealand, and with Samoa confirmed as the fourth participating country yesterday (Saturday 3rd May), the seven-match tournament will also feature games in Melbourne, Wollongong, Dunedin and Whangarei.

Introducing the tournament, NRL Head of Football, Todd Greenberg stated “the Four Nations double-header at Eden Park in 2010 exceeded all expectations and we have also seen how well fans have embraced the double-header concept in the Telstra Premiership in Brisbane.

“This is one of the great venues in sport and it will be an exciting way to launch the tournament.

“The World Cup in the United Kingdom last year showcased the growing strength of international Rugby League.

“The semi-final in particular between England and New Zealand was one of the great Test matches of all time and it will be great for fans here in Australia and New Zealand to have the opportunity to watch all four teams in action.”

New Zealand Rugby League Chief Executive (NZRL) Chief Executive Phil Holden says Wellington, Dunedin and Whangarei will be getting the opportunity to show they can stage big international league tests, before the venues are decided for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

Holden explained "bearing in mind we will be co-hosting the World Cup with Australia in four years, this is a great opportunity for us to show our capability. 

"But it's also a huge challenge, both on and off the field.

"On one front, we may be up against the other three semifinalists from last year's World Cup, with England, in particular, itching to avenge their semifinal loss to us at Wembley.

"And then we're looking for Wellingtonians to show their passion for rugby league and support what promises to be a memorable final.

"Auckland has already shown it's ready for major World Cup fixtures, after successfully hosting the NRL Nines. Wellington prides itself as a sporting Mecca and we're confident local fans can also support an international spectacle of this calibre."

The Queensland Government has welcomed the tournament opening double-header being held in Brisbane with anticipating that it will bring 6,000 interstate and overseas tourists to the city.

Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey explained “Tourism and Events Queensland has partnered with the NRL to bring this event to Queensland and host thousands of rugby league fans (which is) expected to bring an estimated $4 million in visitor expenditure to the Queensland economy.”

2014 Four Nations venues and schedule

Saturday 25th October: Australia v New Zealand, England v Samoa at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

Saturday 1st November: New Zealand v Samoa at Toll Stadium, Whangarei

Sunday 2nd November: Australia v England at AAMI Park, Melbourne

Saturday 8th November: New Zealand v England at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.

Sunday 9th November: Australia v Samoa at WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Saturday 15th November: Four Nations Final at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.

19th April 2013 - NORTH FORCE MOVES TO WHANGAREI DISTRICT COUNCIL’S TOLL STADIUM