Pundit outlines huge potential change that could happen if NRL buys Super League with Hull KR example

NRL pundit Matty Johns believes the English game could be more of an asset to the NRL if it were to make the move back to winter. Johns was speaking about the possibility of the NRL buying into Super League, which is something that has been widely reported over the last weeks and months.

The suggestion is that in order to save the sport in the Northern Hemisphere and boost the international game, the NRL could be willing to buy a stake of around 30 per cent in Super League with talks ongoing. That’s something that has been welcomed by many in England and Johns is backing the idea, too.

However, he believes Super League might have to become a winter competition in order to make the move work. Using Hull KR as an example Super League club, the pundit, who spent a season with Wigan Warriors in 2001, spoke about the possibility of seeing stars such as Tom Trbojevic move over to England for short periods.

He also spoke of how Super League’s finest could move over to the NRL temporarily during the off-season, ensuring players and fans on the both sides of the world could benefit. The change to make rugby league a summer sport in the UK was made for a reason, though, and Johns admits there would be opposition to making such a change.

Matty Johns on the need for Super League to switch to winter

“I think it’d be great for Super League,” he told the Joel and Fletch show. “I actually think it’d be very good for the NRL. But I think there’s one thing they have to do and it’s a big, big move, there will be resistance.

“I believe if the NRL were to purchase (Super League), and they’re talking about 30 per cent, but then getting a majority shareholding, I would actually seriously look at putting the English game back to a winter sport. Their best players can come and play in our competition, and our very best players can go and have guest stints over there if they’d like.

“It’s a very different game these days in terms of the professionalism and the toll it takes on your body. But you think about this, let’s imagine Manly get knocked out of the competition and they’re playing in the winter sport and halfway through the season, Tom Trbojevic goes over and decides to play plays four games for Hull KR. What that does to the English game even if they do a short stint.

“Joey (Andrew Johns) went to Warrington and had a three-game stint and a bloke showed me on YouTube or TikTok a 15-minute thing on Andrew being there at Warrington. It was incredible. There was national interest when he went there in England with him playing for Warrington.

“They’ve got a bit to work out but I think it would be a great move.”