After reports that the NRL will consider investing in Super League, what could that competition look like and how realistic is it?
Noise about Super League securing investment from Down Under has been around for a long time with the Australian Rugby League Commision chief Peter V’landys speaking recently to confirm that the NRL would be happy to invest, but only if requested.
Reports from Michael Chammas for The Sydney Morning Herald have now revealed that the NRL are set to “consider” a purchase of a 33% stake in the competition on the condition that they would have “complete administrative control” from 2028.
Chammas reports that a “secret meeting” between Wigan Warriors owner Mike Danson, Warrington Wolves owner Simon Moran and NRL higher-ups, including Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys, took place in Las Vegas to trigger the spark of this possible investment.
It would be on the clubs to hand over the keys, something that recent events such as the club-commissioned Strategic Review of the RFL suggest unlikely given the apparent desire for club power, but what could an NRL-run Super League look like?
What would NRL-run Super League look like amidst latest reports
One of the key reasons behind this development now, outside of the glaring financial issues in rugby league in England and the meeting between Danson, Morgan and the NRL, is that the TV deals for the NRL, Super League and the international game all come up for renewal at the the end of 2027.
A united front of the game in the southern and northern hemisphere could maximise that deal and help further the sport massively.
According to Chammas’ report, various models of what Super League would look like under the NRL’s control are up for debate with one of those being a 10-team competition.
That would feature eight English clubs and two French meaning that Catalans, and Toulouse, would be safeguarded despite current noise that their future is uncertain.
It’s also reported that six of the eight English clubs would comprise St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Hull FC and Hull KR, with all apparently eager to be involved. That would leave just two spots for English teams up for grabs.
Another possible route would be for the NRL to “start a breakaway competition”, whilst NRL clubs are apparently expressing interest in having affiliations with ‘NRL Europe’ teams.
The sport is set for some major changes in the coming months and this could be among the biggest dominoes to fall.
Patrick Tomlinson
April 8, 2025 at 5:56 pm
Having 10 like minded clubs working for the greater good is preferable to the shambles we have now. 10 fully professional clubs playing home and away, followed by a top four play off , flowing into an international club comp & then a proper international window will generate more money than is generated now.
That money can also be used to provide semi professional clubs with funding, link them to a top tier club and work within their communities. The chances of Bartley, dewsbury, Whitehaven ever having the funds to get in to SL are non existent now, so what is the problem with a closed shop and adding franchises steadily in a controlled manner?
God being an RL FAN IS BLOODY HARD WORK!
Eric T Cat
April 8, 2025 at 10:27 pm
Grade each club on their performance over the last 10 years, then pair the top NRL side with the lowest ranking English club, until each club is paired off. Then the parent NRL club mentors the junior English club, including taking youth players to Australia for additional train8ng an experience in the NSW/QLD Cup, NRL if they blossom.
Care needs to be taken or we will see the top English clubs paired with the top NRL clubs, and there will be no levelling up. Wigan, St Helens, and Wigan may seek to manipulate any takeover. One immediate change will be requiring referees to be retrained to NRL standards.
Another change will be the relationship with the media, no more shoestring budget as per Sky, no more flat hat, pint of mild, and whippet on a piece of string from the BBC. Studio presentation, professional presenters, expert pundits, smart suits, and proper analysis.
Finally, no more doffing the cap to the RFU, we licence them the term RugbyWorld Cup, rescind the agreement. Give them a taste of their own 1895 to date medicine. We have the superior sport, ram it down their throats. Even offer those English/Welsh Union club sides struggling for existence a chance to switch code, join a development tier of League sides looking to join the new elite league.
Wiganexpat
April 9, 2025 at 3:14 am
It is more likely to be a global streaming opportunity that is fuelling this. The NRL have been holding talks with all the big boys lately and I think there is something afoot there. But given the state the game is in here then we can’t complain too much. PVL would certainly shake things up and he won’t pull any punches either but I think that is exactly what our game needs.