ELLIOT Minchella believes NRL involvement in the Betfred Super League would provide the shot in the arm the sport needs.
Rumours continue to swirl about the future of the British domestic game ahead of the findings of a club-led review being presented at the next RFL Council meeting in July.
Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys previously stated they would be open to taking a stake in the game if approached as well, and Hull KR captain Minchella sees no downsides to that possibility.
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“I think it’s what the game needs,” Minchella told Sky Sports’ The Bench podcast.
“The NRL, what they’ve built over there is outstanding.
“I know it’s the national sport over there, but I can’t see a negative to it.”
Last week’s meeting of clubs in Batley seemed to indicate the direction of travel is a possible an expansion of Super League back to 14 teams to facilitate the return of London Broncos and Bradford Bulls to the top flight.
That such a move would fly in the face of the gradings produced by the sport’s marketing partner IMG was not lost on former RFL chair Simon Johnson, who resigned last month and was replaced by former RFL CEO Nigel Wood on a interim basis.
In his first post on X since his departure from the governing body, Johnson pointed out the inherent conflict of interest in Bradford part-owner Wood overseeing the review.
“The next two under grading would be Toulouse and York,” Johnson wrote in reply to rugby league journalist James Gordon.
“But of course, Nigel Wood becomes Chair and lo and behold, Bradford are catapulted in to the reckoning.”
Bradford head coach Brian Noble gave approval to NRL involvement in the British game as well last week, although he was far more cautious in his verdict than Minchella.
The 29-year-old back row was enthusiastic about the opportunities he sees it opening up for both players and the sport as a whole.
“For me, as a player, it excites me,” Minchella said.
“It would give a direction to the game, it would open up more opportunities for the game and for the product.
“For me, it’s a no-brainer, but I don’t know the ins and outs of it.”
