Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh said the 15-man game is focussing on an upgrade of its pathway systems, and selling the unique international aspects of rugby, as the threat of the NRL expanding by two more teams looms on the horizon.
Waugh’s comments came as the Andrew Forrest-owned Tattarang company, which owns the Western Force, said it was keen to embrace the new Perth Bears league club and look for ways to partner with the NRL side, potentially investing in shared facilities and a new ground.
The NRL is currently finalising expansion to 19 teams by 2028, with a team in Papua New Guinea locked in for 2028 and a deal imminent for the Bears to be revived in 2027 in Western Australia.
A new broadcast deal in 2028 is expected to increase the NRL salary cap to around $15m a year per club, and the two new franchises will not only need over 60 players for the main squads, but at least that number again below, in feeder and junior teams.
That recruitment drive looms as a threat to rugby on a number of fronts. Established Wallabies and Super Rugby players will become potential targets, but the bigger threat is cashed-up NRL clubs further pillaging the pool of talented teenagers who play both codes.
Andrew Forrest brought the Western Force back from the brink.
In Perth, the creation of the Bears could even be an existential threat for the Force, who’ve had the city to themselves as a rugby code since 2006. The Force, who are averaging around 7000 fans to home games this year, have a supporter base comprising a mix of locals and New Zealand, English and South African expats.
The Force are viewing it in a different way, however. They believe the Bears’ arrival can provide an opportunity to work together, so both codes can thrive in the state.
“As the owner of the Western Force, Tattarang is open to discussing partnership opportunities with both the Western Australian Government and the NRL,” Tattarang chief executive John Hartman said.
“The establishment of a rugby league franchise in WA presents a unique opportunity to strengthen the state’s sporting landscape and support the growth of both codes at a professional and grassroots level.
“In particular, we see potential synergies in strategic infrastructure investments in the form of shared high-performance facilities, a new or upgraded rectangular stadium and event resources between the Western Force and Perth Bears. We believe the state should work towards this outcome.
The Western Force play at HBF Park.Credit: Getty
“We would consider co-funded investments that ensure a strong future for both codes in Western Australia for decades to come.”
The Bears and the Force are set to share the 20,000-seat HBF Park as a home ground, but despite initial proposals for a WA team including a major, government-funded upgrade to the venue and a centre of excellence for the Bears, it’s unclear if either is part of a revised deal.
Tattarang’s openness to “co-fund” shared facilities could sway the government. And rugby fans will also be buoyed by a statement of support from their billionaire owner about the Force’s long-term future.
In response to the threat posed by the NRL, Waugh said RA’s ongoing work to solidify its financial health, and improve pathway programs, would continue to be important.
“We’re very conscious of that battle for talent, which is getting younger and younger,” Waugh said.
“But while we all often talk about competition with rugby league, they’ve been co-existing as two separate games for a long period of time and I actually think our value proposition is very different to rugby league’s, and we’re proud of our value proposition.
Tom Wright racing away for the Wallabies in Wales.Credit: Getty Images
“We need to ensure that pathway and the financial reward athletes get for choosing rugby is competitive as well, and so that’s why we’re focused largely on our own backyard to ensure that we’re securing the financial elements, so that we can compete financially with other codes.
“And in a lot of ways our talent ID needs to be more targeted, and probably more like a rifle shot rather than a shotgun.
“Those (dual code) kids often love rugby, so it’s just then ensuring that we’re providing the pathway for them at a speed that they want it, and that probably been the gap where we just haven’t been able to provide; that pathway at the speed that those athletes want it.
“One of our biggest focuses at the moment is around pathways and academies, and ensuring that we’ve got the right coverage to bring those players through. But equally how do we provide those athletes with the experience in rugby that they can’t get in other codes? Touring, seeing the world, and getting international exposure.”
Waugh said the same sales pitch applies to retaining Wallabies stars like Tom Wright who may be approached.
“We’ve got to compete financially, but also … you only get one life right? And the career of a player is pretty short. The opportunity that we provide in our game is very different to the opportunity that other codes provide.
“Tom (Wright) for example, playing in front of 80,000 at Twickenham a week later, he’s playing in front of 75,000 at Millennium Stadium then Murrayfield and then he’s off to Aviva Stadium against Ireland. These are big events, week-in week-out.”
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