BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Wigan Warriors CEO Kris Radlinski says talks with the NRL about a strategic partnership have cooled but there is hope they will speed up next month when the Ashes are on.
It was reported in April that the NRL was considering buying a 33% stake in Super League, with Wigan one of the clubs leading discussions in Las Vegas.
But Radlinksi has admitted talks have gone quiet since February and no progression has been made. A number of NRL powerbrokers are expected to travel to the UK in October and November as part of the three Test Ashes series between England and the Kangaroos.
“At this moment in time, we’re not hearing anything,” Radlinksi told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
“Obviously, the Ashes, a lot of [NRL] people are going to be over here and it creates so much interest at this point in time. We’ve got an opportunity then, with a couple of sellouts, if we can get Wembley up to 60,000, then I think we’ll in a good place with conversations.
“At this moment in time I wouldn’t say things are progressing. It’s just civil. Semi-interest, but no detail.”
Next year Super League will increase the number of overseas imports allowed at each club from seven to 10, with the competition to add two new teams.
The Warriors boss is not concerned that there may be a lack of opportunity for young English players, with more foreign players coming in.
” No, I think the reason behind it was it was a barrier the game put in place when it didn’t really need to be there,” he said.
“Every club should be focusing on their pathways. We’re still in a salary cap sport here, you’re not going to get 10 players from the NRL to come over here just for a low contract.
“I don’t mind it. We’ve removed the barrier, Wigan will still continue what we’re doing and every club should be encouraged to do that.”
Politics in UK rugby league has been a big talking point this season, with the return of Nigel Wood and upheaval at the RFL.
Radlinksi is keen for the narrative to shift to on-field matters.
“All I want is us to be better and the headlines in rugby league should all be about players, not chief execs or owners,” he said.
“They’re the superstars, they’re the ones who are going to drive our game. I want to talk about the positives, I want people to dwell on the positives and not so many negatives because within this season the Salford situation has been… it’s been horrible to watch for everybody.
“But within that we’ve got a pretty unbelievable competition that’s happening where you’re finding it harder than ever to pick winners. There are some good teams knocking around and some brilliant stories.
“Our [Wigan’s] crowds are up, what Matt Ellis has done at Wakefield… the stuff that Derek’s doing at Leigh, that’s a huge success story.
“Not just what Adrian has done on the field but the whole rebrand, the season tickets, the atmosphere. There’s some good things happening and we forget about that and emphasise this politics stuff too much.
“We need superstars and we’ve actually got quite a few, so we need to start talking about them.”
The Salford Red Devils situation has continued to roll on with more protests, more players and staff leaving, and more uncertainty. This week the club was given another adjournment over a winding up order.
“I don’t think we’re getting all the information we need at this moment in time,” Radlinksi said on Salford.
“What I would say, is I’m genuinely saddened by it all because they’ve got a brilliant history Salford. A brilliant fanbase.
“When they beat us in the semi here [in 2019] and filled the north stand out it was just a brilliant occasion. To see it happening to the club and the players are putting their hand up so amazingly well, really.
“Then all the people behind the scenes who put the team on the field each week, that’s who my thoughts are with at this moment in time.
“I don’t think it helps the game, I don’t think it helps the sport of Super League in England…. I don’t think anyone wins with it. We’re all tarnished with it.”