Super League’s rousing Rivals Round offers timely boost for takeover talks

Healthy crowds, a five-way title race and some stunning action give NRL executives plenty to be encouraged by

Super League’s possible takeover by the National Rugby League could gather pace in the coming weeks as executives head to the UK for talks to thrash out a deal. Had the NRL’s chief executive, Andrew Abdo, or anyone associated with the game in Australia watched the past few days, they would have been mightily impressed with matters both on and off the field.

The overriding mood in recent months as speculation rises over a partnership between rugby league’s two premier competitions has been that Super League is in desperate need of help. A league in crisis, sinking without a trace unless the sprinkling of magic that follows the NRL at every turn steps in and saves the day.