BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Huddersfield hooker Zac Woolford has implored the NRL to take control of Super League and believes a partnership can only be good for the English game.
Talks between the NRL and Super League have been going on for months, but appear close to being finalised over the next fortnight.
Woolford, who has played in both Australia and in Super League with the Giants, feels rugby league in the UK needs a lot of support to improve and grow.
“I think it [the NRL] can only be a good thing for the game over here,” he told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
“You look at what V’landys has done for the game in Australia. And from where he took it from, right? People who say it’s bad for the [UK] game, I just have got no time for that at all.
“I enjoy the product and playing the game over here, but it needs a lot of help. It should get so much more media coverage and there should have a bigger salary cap and the product on TV should be better.
“You have a look at the coverage and our video ref over here and the cameras they use, and then you compare that to Australia and you think, what is going on here?
“It’s just, people laugh at us.”
Woolford played 39 games for his hometown club Canberra between 2022 and 2024, before joining Huddersfield in 2025.
The 30-year-old has made 49 appearances for the Giants over the past two seasons.
The son of former forward and coach Simon, Woolford believes by making small changes across the competition, and with the NRL’s control, will make a difference.
“If we have a better product, then we’re gonna be able to sell it for more, and then that goes back to the clubs, and then we’ve got more money to spend in, and it all just goes together. One big wheel,” he said.
“I think bring the NRL in, give them the control they want and let V’landys do his magic.
“He’s fixed racing in Australia. He fixed the footy in Australia.
“Come and fix it out our footy.”
