Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet has responded to reports that the NRL could be prepared to invest in Super League, with the Cherry and Whites boss admitting that British rugby league “certainly needs something”.
The latest reports of possible NRL investment in Super League have come from Michael Chammas writing for The Sydney Morning Herald with claims that the NRL has agreed to consider buying 33% of Super League.
That purchase would come on the condition that the NRL gain “complete administrative control” of the competition from 2028 with those Down Under realising the need for a strong Super League in order to grow the sport internationally.
Further in the report, Chammas indicated that a ‘secret meeting’ between NRL officials and the owners of Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, Mike Danson and Simon Moran, took place in Las Vegas.
Peet was asked about the report and the prospect of NRL investment in Super League when speaking to the press ahead of Wigan’s Friday night clash with Super League leaders Hull KR.
“Needs something” – Wigan Warriors boss gives verdict on reported NRL buy-in of Super League
Per Serious About Rugby League’s sister site Wigan Today, Peet confirmed: “I think it’s one to explore. I think the NRL have obviously done amazing things over there that hopefully we can tap into and learn from, but it’s got to be on the right terms for the people in British rugby league, but it certainly needs something.”
Peet also admitted: “It’s probably not going to be the right thing for everybody, but I’d always be open to listening to an idea.
“If it’s the right thing to drive our sport forward in terms of on-field and off-field successes, then I think we’ve got enough intelligent people in our game to listen and then make a decision on what is best.”
Wigan Warriors have been among the most ambitious teams in Super League with their Las Vegas trip and previous trip to the Nou Camp to face Catalans Dragons. Reports have now suggested that they intend to take a game to Paris in 2026 to celebrate 20 years of Catalans’ involvement in the competition.
Catalans’ involvement in Super League is something that the NRL are very keen on with Chammas’ report indicating that a 10-team competition could be an option, with Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, St Helens, Leeds Rhinos, Hull FC, Hull KR, Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique mentioned as eight of the ten.
When asked about the prospect of a 10-team Super League, Peet explained: “I wouldn’t comment on that at this stage personally. Even if you said it was going to be a 15-team comp, there’d be teams that would be left out of that and therefore unhappy, so I don’t have the information, I’m not in a position to comment but I just think the dialogue needs to start.”
Wiganexpat
April 10, 2025 at 10:12 pm
“Even if you said it was going to be a 15-team comp, there’d be teams that would be left out of that and therefore unhappy”
And this is why the NRL would need to have Administrative control, to take the hard decisions for the good of the game. Lets get Superleague Strong, Financially Stable and thriving and then look to keeping everyone happy. Its crisis time folks and we cannot afford to play Mr. Nice Guy any more..