By STEVE MASCORD

NRL head honchos Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo say they have no concerns over the perceived gap between Australia and England and it’s not a factor in their discussions with Super League clubs and the British administration.

The Kangaroos sealed the Ashes for the 14th consecutive time with their 14-4 win over England at Hill Dickinson Stadium yesterday. England coach Shaun Wane said he hoped the conversations V’landys and Abdo, Super League Clubs, the RFL and Rugby League Commercial were having would lead to a more intense elite competition in Britain.

But V’landys told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads he was not worried about any gulf between the old rivals.

“No, not at all,” the ARLC chairman said. “If you look at the analogy which is Queensland and NSW, sometimes one team is not competitive and 12 months later the whole thing turns around.

“When you put that jumper on for your country, you become probably a 50 percent better player than you normally are. I don’t have any concern that the English at some point (won’t) come back. Because they will and over history that’s been the case.

“Australia only just won the (Pacific Championships) final last last year. If the bounce of the ball was different, they might have lost it.”

NRL CEO Abdo chimed in: “2026 will be the most competitive World Cup we’ve ever had. Tonga and Samoa have toured the UK the last two years and they lost the series. England beat them.

“Meanwhile, back in Australasia we’ve got an unbelievably competitive (Pacific Championships) series.

“Come World Cup ’26 you’ve got Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand and England and Australia – five teams that potentially can win it and then you’ve got PNG who are getting stronger and stronger.

“For me, the international game is going to continue to grow. As Peter said, we believe in the upside of England, France and this region over time.

“The player talent is here. The sport has existed here for a long period of time so it will grow.”

Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix