How NRL plans to raid Wallabies stocks as Rugby Australia faces legal chaos

As Rugby Australia battles a costly legal challenge and broadcast uncertainty, the expanding NRL is ready to pounce with key salary cap dispensations.

As Rugby Australia is embroiled in a bitter legal case with the Melbourne Rebels, and any potential new broadcast deal stalls, the NRL is weighing up two proposals that could lure a stack of Wallabies to league from 2026 and beyond.

This week, the directors of Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union launched a $30 million case against RA in the Federal Court of Australia after the Rebels were axed from Super Rugby, while RA hit back by announcing they would countersue the directors for misleading them into losing $35 million.

However this case goes, it will be long and expensive.

And that leaves RA incapable of offering big-money deals to Wallabies who are off-contract at the end of 2025.

Len Ikitau is among a slew of Wallabies off-contract at the end of next year, and could be at-risk of an approcach from the NRL. Picture: Getty Images

Their exclusive negotiation period with broadcast partners Nine and Stan expires on December 31, and RA requires an upgrade on the current $33 million a year they’re receiving until the end of 2025.

But they can’t formulate a formal proposal about what Super Rugby looks like beyond 2025 until their legal case with the Rebels has finished.

The Rebels directors are demanding that the club be allowed to re-enter Super Rugby, while RA have made it clear they cannot afford to fund five franchises.

Only a few top Wallabies are contracted beyond 2025. Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa and incoming NRL star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii are contracted to the end of the 2027 World Cup.

Waratahs-bound ex-rooster Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii. Picture: NRL Photos

Rob Valetini, Hunter Paisami, Max Jorgensen, Tate McDermott, Jeremy Williams and Brandon Paenga-Amosa have deals until the end of 2026.

The rest are off contract next year; including Fraser McReight, Len Ikitau, Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson, Liam Wright, Taniela Tupou, Tom Wright, Filipo Daugunu, Harry Wilson, Langi Gleeson, Billy Pollard and Luke Reimer.

While the Western Bears’ proposed entry into the NRL in 2027 was rejected this week, officials believe the team could still be resuscitated with help from the West Australian government.

And the Papua New Guinea team is set to enter in 2028, before a 20th team is planned to enter the NRL early next decade.

Mark Nawaqanitawase made his NRL debut for the Roosters months after his final Wallabies appearance. Picture: Getty Images

That will require an abundance of new talent, and league is looking sharply at the chaos engulfing Australian rugby.

This masthead understands that as the NRL plans to expand to 20 teams, there are two proposals being considered as ways to lure rugby players.

One is to expand the NRL top squad from 30 to 32 players.

The other is to give a dispensation of 30 per cent to clubs outside of the salary cap.

While these two proposals would apply to any athlete outside rugby league systems – including AFL, basketball and athletics stars – the primary targets would be union players.

The NRL has already poached Wallabies stars Mark Nawaqanitawase and Carter Gordon this year, and other Australian union players are now strongly considering code switches.

Wallabies star Carter Gordon joined the Titans earlier this year. Picture: Getty Images

As it stands, any player outside the NRL top 30 squad can only earn a maximum of $85,000 per year. The total cap for NRL clubs on supplementary players is $650,000 per season, spread across six or seven players.

By either expanding the total top squad list, or offering significant relief from the salary cap for union players, the NRL could severely diminish the Wallabies’ playing stocks before Australia hosts the Rugby World Cup in 2027.

In recent years, NRL clubs have been raiding schoolboy union stars.

This week it was confirmed Australian under-18s player Heamasi Makisini – who helped defeat New Zealand under-18s last weekend – had signed a three-year deal with Wests Tigers.

But rugby did have a win when Zach Fittler, son of NRL legend Brad Fittler, signed a development deal with NSW Waratahs.

Originally published as How NRL plans to raid Wallabies stocks as Rugby Australia faces legal chaos