Everything Paul Rowley just said on possible NRL investment in Salford Red Devils

Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley has reacted to the latest news reports that NRL club Sydney Roosters could be considering investment in the struggling Super League club.

Reports over the past 24 hours have emerged Down Under with Michael Chammas speaking on Channel Nine’s 100% Footy Show to reveal that he has heard talks Sydney Roosters could be interested in investing in the ailing Red Devils.

That investment would be with the aim to rebrand Salford as Manchester Roosters, something which has split the opinion of Red Devils’ fans, whilst further reports have now revealed a major condition of possible investment.

Roosters’ chairman Nick Politis, who is one of the biggest string-pullers in the NRL and among the richest men in Australia, has outlined that any investment would be as a result of NRL investment in Super League.

Paul Rowley was asked about the initial story, broken by Chammas on Channel Nine, with the Red Devils head coach admitting that it was “very interesting”.

Paul Rowley defends Salford Red Devils’ name and heritage amid Manchester Roosters reports

Speaking ahead of the Red Devils trip to St James Park to face Hull KR at Magic Weekend, Rowley was quizzed on the recent reports and he confirmed he had read them.

“It’s certainly interesting, I have had that article sent to me. I don’t read too much but I can’t say I’ve not read that,” Rowley revealed.

“I heard some knowledgeable and well-decorated people discussing it on the news or podcast, whatever it was. It’s certainly very interesting but I’m not aware of any detail or I couldn’t give you any insight into any if there is any truth in that from our side.

“Again, I probably read it and just sit here with as much knowledge on that as you do but I can’t deny that it’s very interesting.”

He’d add: “For me whatever preserves the team and the club in its current guise and for the supporters and for everybody then I’m happy with any sort of positive outcome.”

The major point of debate from Salford fans is the issue of a possible rebrand with Salfordians very proud of their heritage, particularly that of their rugby league club which is among the sport’s most historic.

Rowley was wise to that and tactfully swerved the question but laid out a thought-out and reasoned argument, pointing to why a relocation to Manchester makes sense but underlining the club’s roots.

“You’re not getting me on that one. Not a cat in hell’s chance,” he initially responded, before adding: “I think what I will say is that I’m a part of a team and a club that’s very, very proud of its heritage and very, very proud of its name.

“Whilst wanting to adopt commercial at Manchester, which is a very, very sensible business decision on a corporate level, us being not separated but connected by one river. We are like twin brothers, if you like then we want to adopt that (Salford identity).

“Adopting Manchester is fantastic but we’re very much cut through the middle Salford and we’re very very proud of that so to relinquish that, I don’t think that would go down very well.

“Need to see details” – Rowley responds to NRL investment reports

As well as potential investment directly into Salford, Rowley was also asked about potential NRL investment into Super League, namely the reported and proposed concept of ‘NRL Europe’.

Among the plans for ‘NRL Europe’ would be a ten-team competition comprising two French sides (Catalans and Toulouse), the six ‘big’ clubs in St Helens, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Leeds Rhinos, Hull KR, and Hull FC, as well as a further two.

Should the Roosters invest in Salford, they would become one of those ten teams if that reported proposal ever took off but when asked about ‘NRL Europe’, Rowley gave a different answer and called for detail.

“I think a European competition is a good idea,” he responded, possibly indicating support for Catalans or simply a competition in the Northern Hemisphere, however, he did say what he would want to see.

Rowley added: “I’m a person who likes to see details. That’s the way I am, I’m analytically minded so (I don’t want) to recklessly say one thing or the other. Obviously, the NRL is a wonderful organisation that has built an empire and a great sport, but I need the detail on it.

“But some input from all their sources would be advantageous, I’m sure, knowledge or money, whichever way it is. The game keeps striving for bigger and better and whatever that looks like, then I support. So, again, I need the detail before I commit.”

When asked again about the ‘Manchester Roosters’ reports, Rowley referred back to the discussion on Channel Nine when former Cronulla legend Paul Gallen attempted to discuss where exactly Salford is.

For Rowley, that meant the chats were at a very introductory stage as he pointed out: “It was interesting that there was a bit of chat where Salford was and how close it was to Manchester, so straight away you’ve got to accept this is like surface-level chat and again I need to know, I need more detail.

“I think those questions (around NRL investment) should be pointed at them people. Maybe the RFL or people running our sport, the power brokers. I don’t think (those questions) are for me.

“Like I said, anything that is good for our game and grows the sport, then I’m all for it.”