NRL powerbrokers and English club reps are sitting down for a high-stakes meeting in London this week to discuss the Australian competition buying a 33% stake in the Super League – and eventually taking the reins.
Wigan owner Mike Danson and Warrington owner Simon Moran had been the guiding power behind the possible move, though the Sydney Morning Herald has been reporting they’re getting cold feet as things roll on.
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The pair have been talking to both sides since the middle of the year, and have brought a cohort of six clubs, St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Hull Kingston Rovers, and Hull FC, into the fold. That’s not to say they’re champing at the bit to partner with the NRL, but they’re the most willing to hold the conversations.
On the NRL side, ARL boss Peter V’Landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo have made it very clear they’re hearing out the offers, but won’t do any serious pursuing if the rest of the Super League clubs don’t want to come to the table.
The majority of English clubs have been contemplating their next move and will present their views to V’Landys and Abdo at this Tuesday’s meeting, midway through the Australia vs. England Ashes series being played.
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Perhaps the top headlining discussion point will be about what the NRL would do to save the Super League. How many clubs would survive in the top-level competition is also a major debate point; some Super League clubs fear – and perhaps rightfully so – that Aussie bosses would trim the league down to 10 teams (from 14) in coming years.
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The NRL has long held that the main reason it’s interested is to grow the game outside Australia. Financially, it would potentially lose the game money in the short-term before eventually turning a profit sometime in the future.
A possible England-based “Global Round” will also be discussed at the same meeting.
