Sky Sports’ Jenna Brooks has confirmed that there will be discussions next month regarding the possibility of Super League being involved in next year’s NRL Las Vegas event.
This past weekend saw the NRL open their season up with a double-header in Las Vegas and there had been suggestions from some that Super League should be involved, with the World Club Challenge being an option.
The past two seasons have seen the World Club Challenge played in Australia and England, but Vegas could be an option.
Speaking live on Sky Sports’ coverage of the Hull KR and Warrington Wolves clash, reporter Jenna Brooks revealed that RL Commercial had been present in Vegas and what had been discussed.
Brooks revealed: “The NRL kicked off in Las Vegas and RL Commerical has told me that there are no firm plans set in stone for Super League’s involvement in Las Vegas next year but there will be further discussions next month at the International Rugby League Meeting.”
Regarding the reports that the NRL could be set to purchase Super League, Brooks revealed RL Commercial’s stance on those rumours.
“No formal discussions have taken place as of yet,” the Australian confirmed.
Super League to be bought out by NRL?
As the NRL continues to explore ways to expand its supremacy. The Super League seems to be a way forward.
The NRL has recently expanded with a 17th team, the Dolphins, and the 18th is expected to make an appearance very soon. The two opening games of this 2024 season will take place in Las Vegas on an American territory to be conquered. It is therefore logical that the NRL would be interested in the Super League in its expansion ambitions.
Reports of the possible buyout have seen reactions from either side of the equator but one of the prominent voices down under has argued that the NRL should “run world rugby”.
That man is Gus Gould, General Manager of Canterbury Bulldogs and former Penrith Panthers head coach, who has advocated for the NRL to take over.
Speaking on the Six Tackles with Gus podcast segment on Channel Nine in Australia, Gould has thrown his support behind a buyout.
He explained: “There was talk last week of the NRL purchasing the UK Super League, which I think is a great idea. I recommended this four or five years ago.
“It’s a perfect gap between us and the US and I have no doubt that we will see a World Club Challenge in Vegas as part of a season-opening weekend. I have no doubt that we will see a women’s game in Vegas.
“We could play the World Club Challenge the weekend before, and then you could play the NRL. I don’t know about availability and all of that, but we’ve got to keep making a noise.”
Continuing, he said: “I think we could really help the UK game. I think we could then get rid of what I think is a really ineffective international rugby league board, and we could have the NRL being the EPL of world rugby league. The game should emanate here from the NRL. The NRL should run world rugby league.
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