The NRL has launched a review into the controversial betting partnership rules that have resulted in greats of the game being banned.
The rules excluding figures within the game from holding positions in the NRL while also having a link with any form of gambling have been widely debated since it was first revealed Raiders legend Laurie Daley was banned from joining Manly’s coaching staff.
The Sea Eagles were in December hoping to employ Daley in a coaching consultancy role to work with playmaker Josh Schuster, who has since struggled to find form in 2023.
But the governing body rejected the club’s official submission because Daley’s job as a co-host on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast — which is owned by TAB — is a conflict of interest.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The 53-year-old also features in TAB market updates that feature on Fox League.
Daley said at the time he was “disappointed” by the NRL’s decision.
It was revealed last month Wests Tigers great Robbie Farah was also forced to walk away from a lucrative partnership with a start-up wagering agency because of his position as an assistant coach at the Wests Tigers.
Channel 9’s Danny Weidler on Tuesday morning said there is swirling feeling across the game that the rule must be changed because of inherent inconsistencies.
Weidler said the application of the rules ultimately questioned the integrity of figures like Farah and Daley because of their access to inside information.
“There’s a real feeling in the game that this isn’t fair, the NRL admits this has to change,” Weidler told Sky Sports Radio.
“This difference where certain people are treated one way and others are treated another. It’s not right. It’s just not right.”
Weidler said the NRL’s rulings had cost Daley positions on the Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers coaching staff — jobs that would have been worth “hundreds of thousands” of dollars.
Daley coached the Indigenous All Stars side for several years but that was cleared by the NRL because it was deemed to be a non-official match.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo told The Sydney Morning Herald this week that the rules are now being looked at.
“We are aware of the inconsistencies,” he said.
“I have asked for a full review and report by the integrity unit. Once finalised, it will be presented to the commission. We always aim to treat everyone the same.”
