LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
"Not in the immediate plans": V'Landys provides NRL expansion update
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys has revealed the NRL's grand plan for a 20-team competition may not be in its immediate future.
The NRL have long had intentions of making it a 20-team competition following the successful addition of the Dolphins ahead of the 2023 season.
2025 will be the third year with a bye, and it's believed that is something the NRL are keen to remove, however, as it stands, the NRL may wind up a 19-team competition sooner rather than later, with the bye to remain.
The NRL have already confirmed a Papua New Guinea team will enter the competition in 2028 on the back of confirmed Federal Government funding, and a Perth team is rumoured to be also in the mix to join the NRL, potentially as early as 2027.
A New Zealand-based team - potentially based on the south island of the country - has also since been floated as a potential 20th team to close the bye and bring the competition to where the NRL would like it long-term.