What’s the Buzz: PVL could shape ‘NRL for next 50 years’; first look at new Allianz Stadium
Inside the Allianz Stadium rebuild at Moore Park — and how it’s tracking for opening, plus the tug of war between two powerhouse governing bodies for Peter V’landys’ services.
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ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has a get-out clause in his Racing NSW contract that would allow him to become the full-time boss of the NRL in November if he wants the job.
V’landys insists he has no interest in Todd Greenberg’s old CEO’s role but heavyweight forces in rugby league won’t give up and want to sound him out, possibly as an executive chairman.
He is seen as the ideal person to rebuild the game, put cost structures in place and strategically invest from the $530 million in revenue the NRL now generates.
As one prominent official told me: “He could set the game up for the next 50 years.”
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Racing administrators are aware of the enormous interest from influential rugby league figures.
On Friday we spoke to powerful SCG Trust chairman, GWS Giants boss and Racing NSW director Tony Shepherd, who insists V’landys will stay.
“We’d never let him go, he’s outstanding,” Shepherd said.
“He transformed racing in NSW and right around Australia by cutting the deals with the TAB, bookies and government, and he’s invested all the money wisely.
“Plus he’s running racing in NSW as lean as it can be.
“He’s been terrific for rugby league as a chairman and there’s nothing to stop that from continuing with the right CEO at the NRL.”
Legendary old ARL chairman Ken Arthurson supports a move for V’landys.
“I met Peter at a function last year and found him to be a very switched-on bloke,” Arthurson said.
“To have him full-time would be a move in the right direction.
“I particularly like his energy in trying to get the game up and running again.”
Arthurson said he was shocked to learn of the cost blowout at NRL headquarters and around the 16 clubs.
“I’m concerned about all the costs in the game in recent years,” he said, “and I’m buggered if I know what some of them do. All the fancy titles and the fancy salaries.
“It’s easy for old blokes like me to sit back and criticise, but I still love the game and want to see it run more efficiently.”
BRAITH FILLING HIS STABLE
Braith Anasta has signed up his first talent as a rugby league player manager.
Lachlan Ilias, 19, is a former Australian Schoolboys rugby union star and a backline utility at the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He has also played in Australia’s Youth 7s team.
The youngster played rugby league at representative level for NSW Under 16s as well.
Anasta is in talks with the Rabbitohs about his future.
There is also talk of Melbourne Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr being keen to join Anasta’s stable.
Addo-Carr had a falling out with his agent Gavin Orr before Orr was banned for two years by the NRL integrity unit.
ORIGINS OF NEW STADIUM
Here’s the proof that work is finally under way on the foundations for the new Allianz Stadium at Moore Park — and the massive engineering project is even ahead of schedule.
The fact no sport is being played next door at the SCG means builders don’t stop on event days.
Infrastructure NSW has also extended building work on Saturdays from 7am to 6pm to help stimulate the economy. It is hoped the 45,000-seater will be ready to host State of Origin in 2022.
T20 WC ON THE MOVE
There is very strong mail that the T20 World Cup will be postponed until February, by which time our borders are more than likely to be opened for international visitors.
The tournament is scheduled from October 18 to November 15 in Australia.
Channel 9 has the broadcast free-to-air rights and has been using it as an excuse to try to stop the NRL competition from going into late October and November.
The move to February next year would allow the NRL to play the grand final at the SCG and also allow for the ANZ Stadium refurbishment to begin in late July instead of being held back to host the premiership decider.
MEDIA MINDER
It has been a tough week for highly regarded media minder Daniel Meers on a couple of fronts.
Meers used to work as chief media adviser to Malcolm Turnbull, the former PM who has copped a pasting and threats of being banned for life from the Liberal Party over the release of his new book.
Meers left the PM’s office when he was replaced by ScoMo and found a new gig at NRL headquarters as Todd Greenberg’s Head of Spin. He will stay at the NRL to work for Andrew Abdo.
NRL LIKE BURGESS’S BRAIN
Retired Rabbitohs superstar and Fox Sports commentator Sam Burgess is so highly regarded by NRL executives that he has been invited to sit in on Project Apollo meetings at Moore Park headquarters. Alongside RLPA boss Clint Newton, Burgess has offered useful advice about player-related issues in the countdown to the resumption of play on May 28.
CAN’T CATCH A BREAK
The poor old NRL can’t take a trick. During the off-season, the game dumped a long-time arrangement with Qantas to switch to Virgin Airlines, the same carrier as the AFL.
Virgin has since gone bust and into voluntary administration.
When the competition resumes, out-of-town teams will be travelling on chartered jets.
But at some stage when things get back to normal acting CEO Andrew Abdo will have to find a new airline deal … and possibly go cap in hand back to Qantas.
Originally published as What’s the Buzz: PVL could shape ‘NRL for next 50 years’; first look at new Allianz Stadium
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