Rival NRL chief executives join together to seek clarity over Shane Richardson’s whole of game plans

THE uncertainty surrounding Shane Richardson’s blueprint for rugby league continues with a club’s subcommittee to seek clarity about pathways.

Photo at cbus Stadium of Broncos boss Paul White ahead of his appearance on ABC's Australian Story on Monday night. Photo: Richard Gosling

THE uncertainty surrounding Shane Richardson’s blueprint for rugby league continues with clubs forming a subcommittee in a bid to seek clarity about the game’s pathways.

The Sunday Telegraph has obtained an email sent to the 16 NRL clubs on Thursday by Emma Bryan — the game’s general manger, game strategy and development.

The email announced the appointment of club bosses — Peter Doust (St George Illawarra), Don Furner (Canberra), Jim Doyle (Warriors) and Paul White (Brisbane) — to a working group.

Paul White is one of four club CEOs who is to canvas other club leaders about the future pathways for the game. Pic: Richard Gosling

The quartet will discuss Richardson’s plans, including the future of the under-20s competition, rookie contracts and the reserve grade competition.

Each boss has been assigned three clubs to speak to before they come together at the NRL’s Moore Park headquarters on Thursday.

Furner said club’s needed reasons to develop juniors.

“There is no incentive to develop your own juniors,” Furner said. “We’ve tried the development way. You’ve got to incentivise clubs to develop players.

“That’s a big part of (the discussions). All of the pathways and how the under-20s will look and at what age someone will have a contract (will be discussed).

“There is a lot of good stuff in what I’ve read.”

Questions remain as to the finer details of Shane Richardson’s whole of game plan. Pic: Phil Hillyard

Richardson has since returned to South Sydney since developing the plan for the game’s future.

The under-20s is likely to be scrapped in its current format, instead reverting to a state-based competition at the end of 2017 while a so-called Platinum League will become the NRL’s feeder competition.

Other uncertain elements include phasing out payments for players under-18 and the establishment of rookie contracts.

“We’ve got to start contracting under-20s for us to compete next year,” Furner said, should the competition was retained for next year.

“Teams have to start preparing and planning.

“I would hope we have a decision by June or July.”

The format of the under-20s competition from next year is an issue high on the list to be addressed.

Another club boss said the “devil is in the details” regarding Richardson’s plans, and that the “concepts are fine but what does it really mean”?

Furner is charged with talking to the Tigers, Parramatta and Manly for their thoughts on the pathways while Doust has the Bulldogs, South Sydney and Cronulla to speak to. White will speak with the Cowboys, Titans and Newcastle. Doyle has Melbourne, Penrith and the Roosters.

An NRL spokesman said the group would have a critical role in shaping the game’s future.

“The aim of the working group is to develop the best pathway for our young players into the future,” the spokesman said.