NRL Global Expansion Faces Pushback from Cowboys Coach Over Travel Demands
North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten has issued a stark warning, indicating he would likely oppose any move that forces his team to undertake additional long-haul travel to support the NRL's proposed global round. This comes as the league's international ambitions, which have largely overshadowed this week's Las Vegas fixture, are being actively investigated for a full-scale global extravaganza within the next three years.
Las Vegas Kickoff Sets the Stage for International Growth
The Cowboys, alongside Newcastle Knights, St George Illawarra Dragons, and Canterbury Bulldogs, got their first look inside Allegiant Stadium on Friday, ahead of Saturday's season opener. The stadium's distinctive features, including a closed roof, a skinnier and shorter field, and yellow goalposts, have now become a familiar part of the NRL season kickoff. ARL Commission chair Peter V'landys has confirmed that the Vegas trip will remain on the calendar, with plans to extend the league's presence in the city well beyond 2028.
However, the bigger question revolves around the NRL's next steps on a global scale. League officials are particularly keen on taking a double-header to London, potentially as soon as next season, which could run concurrently with the Vegas event. This initiative is part of what V'landys has termed a three-year plan, aimed at building up NRL double-headers and a Super League fixture across four separate global cities.
Potential Global Destinations and Travel Concerns Emerge
Key options under consideration to join Vegas and London include Miami, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. Additionally, the NRL is set to expand to nine-game rounds from next year with the inclusion of the Perth Bears. Despite these ambitious plans, Payten has voiced significant reservations about the travel implications for his team.
"I'm happy to stay in Asia. We travel enough. London is too far," Payten stated. "But I'd like to temper our travel to keep it closer and further away. We're travelling 60,000km throughout the season, which is plenty. It's something we manipulate our schedule because of. We're not the only club that does that, but we travel enough."
Mixed Reactions from Other Coaches on Global Expansion
In contrast, the Cowboys' Vegas rivals have shown more openness to increased travel, though they emphasize it should not come at the expense of home games. Knights coach Justin Holbrook expressed enthusiasm, saying, "It's awesome for our game. We play so many games at home and it's obviously so normal for all of us. But to be able to come away, whether it be here or anywhere in Japan, I think it's awesome. Especially to get the players together for so long and staff, you can really connect up and can really launch a season. I love what Peter V'landys is talking about for the future, I think we've got to keep expanding our game."
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan also supported the move, highlighting the media attention benefits and proposing a full competition bye the week after a global round. "Look at the media attention that we get for our (Vegas) game. It can only help us if we were to go to all the different parts of the world," he said. "Maybe we have a week one and then everyone has a bye week two and we get started again back home week three."
Canterbury Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo, however, was more cautious, focusing on the immediate challenges. "I'm just keen to get through Vegas at the moment," he remarked. "Hopefully we play, get on the plane home and get back to footy. I'm not thinking about going anywhere else at this point in time. It's a lot to manage when we get home. It's not just pick up where you left off when you get home. There's a lot of things to think about."
As the NRL pushes forward with its global expansion plans, balancing ambitious international growth with the practical realities of team travel and player welfare remains a critical challenge, with coaches like Payten urging caution to ensure the sport's integrity and competitiveness are not compromised.
