LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The NRL is moving closer to a potential partnership with England's Super League following what has been characterized as an "exceptional" meeting among key officials in London earlier this week.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and ARLC chairman Peter V'landys met with representatives from the Rugby Football League and Super League, as the governing bodies aim to enhance rugby league's presence on a global scale, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
"It was a very positive meeting, and we now have a road forward," V'landys stated to the Sydney Morning Herald. "We will go back and discuss with the stakeholders before working out the next step. The good thing is we now have a way forward; the meeting went exceptionally well."
These discussions occur amid the NRL's interest in acquiring a 33 percent stake in the Super League, contingent upon gaining administrative control over the competition starting in 2028. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to enhance the NRL's international reach and consolidate the sport under a unified commercial approach.
Representatives from clubs such as Hull FC, Wigan, and Warrington, along with the Rugby Football League, were present at the London discussions. Senior RFL executive Nigel Wood labeled the talks as "positive and progressive."