Brian Carney says the Super League is "dancing to [NRL chief Peter] V'landys tune" after clubs voted to expand the league to 15 teams for the 2027 season. It is understood that teams will be allowed to apply to fill the Super League's new 15th place, with London Broncos rumoured to be the favourite to take the available spot. Carney, though, feels this is a move that plays directly into the NRL's hands after a strategic partnership between the two leagues was announced earlier this year: "If London are admitted, two issues are worth considering," Carney said.
"The first is that this is the power of Peter at work. NRL chief Peter V'landys made London's presence in Super League in 2028 a prerequisite of any strategic partnership. He was absolutely insistent, and he got his way.
"Knowing London were effectively guaranteed a place in 2028 will undoubtedly have influenced the vote to expand, and quite possibly the decision to bring them in a year early. "The clubs are, to a degree, dancing to his tune." Carney also questioned whether London Broncos' potential inclusion in the Super League would be fair on other clubs seeking to be involved, with the Plough Lane side 16th in the IMG grading system that ranks the sustainability of rugby league clubs. "As this process only began after the NRL suggested that London Broncos had to be in to secure their investment, everyone assumes that it will be London that comes up," he said.
"This is despite them being 16th in the IMG gradings, which were introduced to bring a data led process to promotion and relegation. "We have of course been here before. Last year the Super League was expanded to 14 on the argument that the fans did not want repeat "loop" fixtures [when Super League teams play four of their 27 league fixtures based on who finished in even or odd-numbered positions].
"I opposed the admission of Toulouse and York [in 2025] on a simple principle: if you cannot offer a club full central distribution, you are not ready to admit them. We also saw the dangers of making reduced distribution a condition of entry with Bradford Bulls back in 2013. "The new process means that clubs will be well within their right to challenge London.
Will Barrow, who finished 15th on IMG rankings, be persuaded to submit an application? Do Widnes think they have more to offer than London?" The former Warrington Wolves player also raised the issue of a suitable venue and matchday experience as a factor that London Broncos have struggled with since their inception in 1980. "Since the London Broncos' nascence as Fulham RLFC at Craven Cottage in 1980, they have moved from ground to ground across London playing to an ever-dwindling number of fans," Carney added.
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