Incoming St Helens head coach Kevin Walters has backed a potential partnership between Super League and Australia's NRL, arguing it would benefit both competitions rather than represent one bailing out the other. His comments follow Super League clubs' rejection last month of a £35m investment offer from the Australian Rugby League Commission, with talks over a broader deal continuing but no fresh offer yet made. The issue matters because it touches on the financial future and global standing of the sport, as well as concerns about talent drifting from Super League to the richer NRL.

Walters, who takes over at St Helens after leading Australia at October's World Cup, pointed to the NRL's new seven-year broadcast deal worth around £400m annually as evidence the Australian game's wealth could benefit Super League too. He said he wants to help retain top players at Saints through improved financial rewards, noting eleven NRL stars have been named in England's provisional World Cup squad. Saints chairman Eamonn McManus and the RFL have echoed calls for collaboration rather than a takeover, while Saints themselves have slipped from four consecutive Super League titles (2019-2022) to a struggling campaign this year, risking missing the play-offs for the first time.