Re: NRL Expansion : Sun Dec 15, 2024 8:39 pm
The PNG club is now scheduled for 2028. A Perth club is still envisaged.The consequences for SL clubs are obvious in that there will be fewer NRL quality players likely to travel over to the UK play SL.
All clubs, SL and the RFL should be looking at this in the full knowledge of the recruitment ramifications of one or two additional NRL clubs.
Surely now is the time it becomes a requirement for all SL clubs to run scholarship, academy, reserve and first teams. That has to be the way of ensuring the pool of players is sufficient for clubs to have competition for places.
Going forward one would imagine that this will have to be a part of IMG's grading requirements.
The clubs, SL & RFL have time to sort this as there are still three full seasons before The PNG club takes its place in the NRL.