In a shocking development, the National Rugby League’s (NRL) plans to establish a 19th team in Western Australia have hit a roadblock. Talks between the West Australian government and the NRL have been put on hold until after the state election on March 8.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook, who is expected to win the upcoming poll, has expressed frustration with the NRL’s demands. Cook described NRL CEO Peter V’landys as “a tough bugger” and labeled the league “a funny mob to deal with.”
At the heart of the dispute is the NRL’s request for a $120 million investment from the Western Australian government, as well as a $200 million upgrade to Perth’s rectangular HBF Stadium. The government has rejected these demands, leaving the future of the NRL’s expansion plans in Western Australia uncertain.
Despite the setback, Cook remains open to the idea of a Western Australian NRL team, suggesting that the Bears branding could be used for the side. “WA is the only state that can put the N in NRL, it’s not a national comp until you get a WA Side,” Cook said.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has confirmed that talks with the WA government will resume after the election. “Once that election is finished we will re-engage with the government and hopefully put a business case to the (ARL) Commission which will provide certainty for the next couple of years,” Abdo said.
The fate of the NRL’s Western Australian expansion plans hangs in the balance, with the outcome of the state election set to play a crucial role in determining the future of rugby league in the region.