ByDan Roan and Craig Wall, BBC Sport senior journalists3 hours ago95 commentsThe chief executive of Australia’s National Rugby League has said that concerns about a multi-million-pound investment in Super League could drain the talent from the UK game “are completely unfounded”.Andrew Abdo was in the UK, holding talks with British officials regarding the potential groundbreaking deal between the sport’s two leading competitions. “We’re trying to make rugby league as strong as we can in the UK and Europe,” he told BBC Sport. “That is the exact opposite to it becoming a feeder program. “We are doing this to grow, to attract players from other codes to this market and to ensure that there is good investment in pathways for the competition to thrive. Leeds Rhinos Chairman Paul Caddick has also expressed concern about the prospect of investment. He said, “we do not intend to be swallowed up”. Caddick said that if Australia took value out of English rugby, the gap would only grow and we would be subservient to Australia. This is something I wouldn’t agree to. “It all comes down to the first question, ‘why?’ It’s not about extracting our wealth or enabling them. Abdo responded to these concerns by saying: “I understand that people tend to assume the worst in the absence information. “But the fears that the Super League will become a feeder to the NRL are far from the reason we’re doing it. “Rugby league in Australia has grown significantly over the last decade. But Caddick has warned that the challenges facing the sport are greater in the UK because of the dominance in football. He added that the NRL was not “a magical ticket or Father Christmas”. “We fully comprehend the challenges that this market presents. We listen to understand the challenges and opportunities that this market presents. “Who would be in charge? Image source, Getty ImagesThe NRL is run by an independent body – the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) – and it wants to replicate that model in the UK if it is to invest. Abdo revealed a deal depends on “assurances that we can actually have the ability implement our gameplan”. Image source, Getty imagesThe NRL, which is run by the Australian Rugby League Commission, is an independent body. It wants to replicate this model in the UK to attract investment. Abdo revealed that a deal is dependent on “assurances we can implement the gameplan”. “The ability to execute a plan comes from very clear governance, which allows decision-makers to think about the long-term interests of the sport as a whole and not just the short-term. “We’re doing it because we believe in the game and want to globalise. If the two biggest competitions in the World are able to work together and co-operate, it can only strengthen rugby league. “In order to be able invest, you need strong and clear government and I think that is part of the current challenge – so this is something that we are obviously working on. “While Super League club owners lose a total amount of almost PS20m each year, attendance and audiences have increased. Peter V’landys said last year that the UK game was heading for a ‘train crash’ if it didn’t find ways to increase its revenue. Abdo responded that the NRL was not interested in Super League returning to a winter competition in order to allow the sport to be broadcasted year-round globally. If aggregating all rugby league rights is beneficial to us in the future, we will certainly consider it. Negotiations are encouraging, but no formal offer has been made yet. Jones told BBC Sport that the sport was open to investment. “The NRL fits perfectly.” They are the most likely to be the leaders in the current negotiations we are having with different parties. “I don’t believe this will be a lengthy process because we have some planning to do. The earlier an investor comes on board, the more beneficial it will be for everyone. Jones said Super League already had “a growth trajectory”, and that investment will “turbocharge” the league. However, he admitted that “finance” and “control” issues still needed to be resolved. Jones responded that the ARLC wants to decide on the composition of an independent commission which would run Super League. “But for the moment, that’s a’redline’ because it’s vital that the UK game be represented. Our governance structure is already independent. “I believe there is a solution that will allow both parties to feel comfortable that they have some control. However, the UK game still has some control over how this territory is run. “This isn’t a takeover. This is a partnership, but also an investment. There is capital, but there are also synergies between the two competitions that play in the same sport. The NRL also has expertise to offer the game in the UK. “It is about globalisation and ensuring that the sport can be seen as widely as possible. We talked about pathways and it wasn’t just about bringing the best talent from England to Australia. It was about how we can improve the UK’s pathway system and deliver better. “One of the most important parts of the discussion was that ‘this cannot just flow through to the clubs and into players’ salaries and inflate the players’ salaries’. “Yes, the money goes to the clubs, but also to the centre. It has to take care of the women’s, wheelchair and community games. “Related TopicsRugby LeagueMore about this storySuper League is in danger of a ‘crash,’ says V’landys28 Oct 2025Which Super League games will BBC broadcast live in 2026?”
