The Wests Tigers joint venture could be headed for a split amid reports the Balmain faction of the club are exploring a merger with NRL expansion bid team South Island Kea. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1.reported the Kiwi South Island Kea franchise have opened secret talks with Balmain in a bid to strengthen their chances of becoming the NRL’s 19th team.
WHAT ARE YOU PREPARED TO LOSE TODAY? SET A DEPOSIT LIMIT. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. It comes after revelations of a divide between the Wests and Balmain factions of the Wests Tigers’ joint venture, which could lead to the two parties splitting. Kea bosses reportedly contacted their Balmain counterparts last week to discuss a possible partnership. The Christchurch based Kea bid, are hoping to become the 19th NRL team and believe joining forces with Balmain, a foundation club from 1908 will boost their chances. That would mean Western Suburbs Magpies would return as a stand alone club in the NRL, pending rugby league HQ’s approval, which is a move several influential board members at Concord have been pushing for.Recent reports of leaked texts and emails show the animosity between the Wests and Balmain factions of the club and the massive divide could make their future as a joint venture untenable. Still, many senior Balmain officials want to remain in the merger with Wests, but that is seeming more unlikely by the day. Should the Wests Tigers fall apart, the Balmain club will consider joining up with the Kea as it appears their only way of staying in the NRL.The Kea-Balmain joint venture proposal would see the clubs divide their games between their home stadium in Christchurch and Balmain’s spiritual home ground of Leichhardt Ova