NRL state of play: NRLW Magic Round, expansion and pathways

He’s resolved their CBA war with the RLPA and locked in Las Vegas, now ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has set his sights on an NRLW Magic Round, expansion and pathways.

Peter V’landys. Picture: David Swift.

NRLW Magic Round in Queenstown, expansion to an 18th team and taking State of Origin overseas.

These are the hot ticket items the NRL will target with the ultimate ambition that the game becomes financially “unbreakable” and lift its assets value to $300 million according to ARLC chairman Peter V‘landys.

In the wake of signing-off on the richest pay deal for players last Thursday, ARLC chairman Peter V‘landys and CEO Andrew Abdo are leading the NRL at full-steam to commence work on broadening the code’s horizon like never before.

ARL Commission chair Peter V'landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo have finalised the plans to crack the US betting market. Credit: Supplied.

This comes just a day after the NRL finalised its landmark move to captivate the US market by announcing the Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Broncos and Roosters will take part in a double-header to kickstart the 2024 season.

With Vegas and the collective bargaining agreement secured it can be revealed that the NRL will now continue with plans to;

– Expand to 18 teams before exploring a 20-team competition

– Take Origin overseas

– Revamp pathways.

Having already secured a historic 2024 season launch in Las Vegas, V‘landys and Abdo are working on several major projects that would spread the footprint of the game.

That includes opening talks with the New Zealand government about a possible inaugural NRLW Magic Round in Queenstown in 2025.

The Gambaro Hotel on Caxton St.

In a further exclusive for The Sunday Telegraph, V‘landy has revealed the NRL is about to add another major investment, just more than 12-months after purchasing the Gambaro Hotel on Caxton Street for $22 million.

“The first thing we need to do is to make the game unbreakable,” V’landys said. “For too long we were breakable. We have to make ourselves financially unbreakable. “We can go to $300 million in assets. We will announce another purchase very soon. The first thing we have to concentrate on is $300 million in assets to make the game financially unbreakable. During Covid-19 we had three months of funds left. To make the game financially viable for the future, that has to be high on our list.”

Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo outside the Gambaros hotel and restaurant

Warriors CEO Cameron George is a major influence in the discussion, providing logistic and infrastructure detail for Abdo, which has also led to interim dialogue with New Zealand broadcasters, Sky TV.

The picturesque Sir John Davies Oval in Queenstown, with a crowd capacity of 19,000, has been identified as the location for what would prove to be a momentous moment for the NRL.

Test matches and Super Rugby matches have both been played at the venue.

V’landys said participation and expansion were other issues which needed immediate addressing.

“One of the areas we dropped the ball on is in schools and the education department,” V’landys said. “We have focused in the last 12 months to two years in that area.

“The third (big issue) is the 18th team and expansion. I think (Roosters chairman) Nick Politis’ 20 team vision is achievable if done correctly. But you need the participation part flying.

“We want to invest in a referee academy. Just like we want a pathway for players, we want a pathway for referees.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

REPAIRING RELATIONSHIPS

RLPA boss Clint Newton. Picture: Getty Images

There were plenty of barbs thrown between the NRL and the RLPA. Such was the level of angst between the two parties, RLPA boss Clint Newton declared he would stand down if it meant getting a deal done. In turn the players lost confidence in some of the game’s authorities and as recently as this month took part in a concerted campaign to be critical of the top brass. Does this new deal help calm the waters or has there been irreparable damage done?

NRL EXPANSION

The game’s big ticket item. Already the likes of PNG, Western Australia, Brisbane Easts and New Zealand have been earmarked as the potential 18 teams. There is a push to expand to 20 teams. The NRL needs to develop a clear blueprint on a growing competition, starting with confirming an 18th side by 2026. And let’s not forget North Sydney and Newtown who are eyeing off a chance of aligning with one of the new entities.

Where do the Jets fit in the NRL’s expansion plans? Picture: David Swift

INTERNATIONAL ORIGIN

The NRL announced that Perth will host Origin in 2025 and 2028. Melbourne will have a match next year and in 2026 which leaves 2027 up for grabs. The New Zealand government has made a pitch to snatch the showpiece event which would see the game taken overseas for the first time since a one-off game in the US in 1987.

NRLW EXPANSION/MAGIC ROUND

Just like their male counterparts, there is a massive push for the NRLW to continue to grow. Already this year we saw four clubs introduced. Eventually all 17 clubs will have a women’s licence, it is just a matter of time. The NRL fast-tracked the introduction of new teams this year so it remains to be seen how quickly they will want to add more. Also, a planned magic round in New Zealand needs serious consideration.

Keely Davis, Isabelle Kelly and Tarryn Aiken from the Sydney Roosters. Picture: Phil Hillyard

PATHWAYS

A national reserve grade competition has brought about plenty of resistance from the state bodies. Those talks will continue. So too will the pathways structure at the elite junior level. Will the current age groups stand or will there need to bringing a top flight under-20s competition again?

FORWARD PASS TECHNOLOGY

This is something which the game has flirted with for the past couple of years and even secretly trialled. As it stands there is no great belief that the technology is foolproof. But with growing discount on the amount of forward passes being missed, the introduction of the microchip in the football seems more likely than not at some stage.

Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs looks dejected after being called for a forward pass. Picture: Getty Images

ASSET BUILDING

The game wants to future proof itself. Already we have seen that with the purchase of the Gambaro hotel and restaurant in Queensland by the NRL. They won’t stop there. For too long the game has relied on broadcast and sponsorship money alone. But the current administration won’t stop until they diversify their assets to leave the club in a strong position.

CLUB LICENCE AGREEMENT

The clubs are without a licence agreement to compete in next year’s competition. This could become one of the next big issues for the NRL. Although the parties have already a financial deal including the size of the club grant which is usually the biggest sticking point. The clubs are adamant they want a say on any potential expansion and that could yet prove to be the biggest hurdle.

Originally published as NRL state of play: NRLW Magic Round, expansion and pathways