With a strong Australian contingent in England due to the Ashes, NRL bosses are set to meet with clubs and discuss a possible Super League takeover.
The idea of the NRL taking control of Super League has already been reported earlier this year but the decision to expand to 14 teams appeared to make that deal an impossibility, given the belief down under that Super League would be better as a 10-team league.
Initial reports suggested that a 10-team league comprising two French clubs, London Broncos, both Hull sides, Warrington Wolves, and the three historic Super League clubs of Leeds Rhinos, St Helens and Wigan Warriors, as well as another side, would be the preference.
Understandably, for those clubs on the outside of that, an NRL takeover wouldn’t appeal and according to one leading Australian journalist, “self-interest” could be what prevents any deal from happening.
Michael Chammas appeared on James Graham’s The Bye Round podcast and confirmed that NRL and ARLC higher-ups Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys had already met with IMG, and would meet with clubs in what could be a landmark moment.
NRL and Super League bosses to discuss takeover
Chammas explained that talks began in and around the Las Vegas games, stating: “You’ll remember earlier in the year we had the story that a couple of Super League clubs met with the NRL in Las Vegas and the feeling from those teams, Warrington and Wigan, was ‘we need your help’.
“The NRL’s view was not come and push in but that ‘if you want our help, you come to us’, and clubs have been going back and forth over what the future of Super League looks like.”
He’s now explained that those talks will “culminate in a meeting” on Tuesday, however, he explained that some Super League clubs believe the NRL need them in order to make rugby league a ‘global game’.
To that, Chammas said: “The NRL will walk away if this is too hard. You know what Peter V’landys is like. He’s not doing this unless he’s got full control and I just can’t see the English clubs doing that.
“Lower tier clubs have the same voting rights so there’s clubs like Wigan and Warrington, who recognise how far the game can go with NRL resources, whereas some others are fearing for their survival and they don’t want the NRL involved because the chances are they’ll pick and choose who the teams in the competition are.
“Self-interest will prevail and the way I understand the situation is that if it gets too hard, the NRL will walk away.”
Reports of this meeting have also been confirmed elsewhere by Love Rugby League with the outcome of today’s meeting set to have huge ramifications for the future of rugby league.
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Anonymous
October 28, 2025 at 9:26 am
If we were truly interested in the NRL taking over why did the give Wood a job and that gobshite Beaumont allowed to appointment himself the spokesman. I get he needs to do what he as to to protect his club. But all the other clubs need to think of the greater good.
Johnny
October 28, 2025 at 8:05 pm
Get rid of img pinching thousands for doing nothing as the game improved any
No
Wiganexpat
October 29, 2025 at 9:50 am
The NRL would be very good for us. PVL will cut through the shite like a hot knife through butter and he will find opportunities in places that Wood and co would never dream of looking. But there is another side to this, if some of the lessor clubs vote this down but say Wigan, Warrington, Leeds are in favour, don’t be surprised if we see a break away comp called NRL Europe that would devastate Superleague.
The little clubs may have the vote but its the big clubs that earn the money.