McManus urges NRL partnership instead of takeover

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus has said the NRL and Super League should collaborate to expand rugby league globally, rather than the NRL acquiring the European competition. He argued that Australia's competition has limited growth potential, while Europe offers significant opportunities. The RFL has expressed interest in a mutually beneficial partnership with the NRL.

McManus framed the NRL’s offer as a potential absorption rather than a true alliance, pointing to Australia’s geographic and economic limits as reasons for seeking growth abroad. He stressed that Europe’s untapped audience and broadcast potential could benefit both leagues if they combined forces instead of one dominating the other. The RFL’s Rhodri Jones echoed this, calling for a financially fair partnership that might create a single global rugby league entity. Meanwhile, St Helens’ recent hiring of Australia coach Kevin Walters signals a separate effort to raise the European game’s profile.

The article also notes ongoing tensions, including previous warnings from NRL officials about Super League’s financial fragility and assurances that player drain would not occur. McManus acknowledged rugby league will never rival soccer but insisted it should not remain a minority sport, urging a mindset shift before discussing valuations or club funding.