Super League consider major quota player change which could have seismic ramifications

[josie andrews]

Super League clubs could soon be able to have more overseas players in their squad following proposals.

A significant change to Super League's quota rulings is being discussed, which would essentially allow more overseas players in the competition. Rugby League Live can reveal a number of discussions have taken place among key decision-makers in recent months with a view to making restrictions more flexible.

As it stands, each club can have seven overseas players, who are identified as players who were not trained for at least three seasons by an RLEF member club before their 21st birthday. However, work has been done to see how changes could possibly be made to allow further overseas additions

And one amendment that appears most likely to be implemented is that players who become British citizens will no longer count on a club's quota contingent. People can apply for citizenship after being in the country for five years and it has been proposed that should a player receive their citizenship, they should no longer be considered a quota player.

The ruling could feasibly see a lot of existing quota players essentially be considered as domestic talent. Among some of the obvious examples are Castleford Tigers' Jacob Miller, Wigan Warriors forward Willie Isa and St Helens powerhouse Konrad Hurrell.

That could have a significant impact on the recruitment plans of numerous clubs, who could suddenly have the ability to explore overseas options when they didn't think they would previously have the ability to do so.

Other alternatives have been considered. One proposal mentioned to Rugby League Live would see clubs be allowed more overseas players on their roster, but a cap on how many could be in a matchday squad. However, there are a number of complications that come with changes, including approval from the home office.

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... e-29383772

[Charriots Offiah]

Typical of the ruling body to consider how we can encourage more overseas players into our game, what they should be looking at is how we retain our best youngsters, and the only way to do that is to pay them what they are worth. The salary cap and the exemption rule should be foremost in their minds.

[cherry toffee]

Totally agree charriots , any young player that comes through a clubs system shouldn’t count on the salary cap. It wouldn’t stop all the best youngsters going down under but it would help clubs to put up a fight to keep some. All they’re doing is creating an elderly pool of overseas players who can’t get a gig back home

[thegimble]

This is typical RFL brainfarts. Teams use the cap exemptions for marquee to bring in or keep players.

Quality of SL in general is a downgrade from NRL standard and pay All allowing more overseas quota will do is bring in players playing in the level below the NRL.

Most teams can not bar I fell ATM, if allowed Wire and us. Both have owners who if the cap went could compete with NRL owners. But we have a system that punishes ambition. Just to keep certain Yorkshire clubs competitive.

As suggested have 6 players who come through the academy system exempt fully from the cap. But again best youth system is us and Saints so again allow under achieving clubs no punishment and reward them by upping the overseas quota

Games gone to pot due to lack of financial ambition of Cas and Wakeys of this world. Idiotic idea by idiots.

[the pieman]

please NO, if anything we should be reducing it over the next few years, but it means that IMG and the clubs need to get their houses in order i.e. scholarship, academy, reserves etc

we have enough bang average overseas players over here as it is. I would rather focus on rewarding clubs for producing academy players making it to the 1st team, than allow more 2nd rate journeymen a career over here

we need to be able to be picking the best of the rest from Oz ie French and Field who for whatever reason werent 1st team starters week in week out or with the marquee, aiming a little higher. For me we should only be signing stars from overseas (i know all about the cap, but it needs to change)

Now dont take this wrong as i like Abbas, but IMO he would be just about good enough to make the grade if we were to be taking on overseas players. He does a great job for us getting the set going and making hard yards from our own line, but he isnt a superstar and never will be. However, if we are to grow and make SL more attractive to investors / TV / fans etc, then we need to have a supplyline of home grown players, supplemented with some quality from overseas, not the other way round as it is now

[Blackpool_Pie]

I don't quite understand what anyone is hoping to achieve by this

[Firestarter]

I just get the feeling we are going backwards.I agree with all the above

[WarriorWinger]

I could understand if this was introduced in conjunction with either scrapping the cap or significantly raising it, as then we may be able to attract the best talent from Aus, but this will just lead to more end of their career Aussies coming over for a final swan song for good money.

I worked at the last world cup and the big names such as Cleary brought in the supporters, some of the kids who attend some of the games did so because Cleary was playing, amongst others, it was a chance to see them in action Live and maybe even get their autograph as they got off the bus, but this is just going to attract those at the end of their careers and unless they are a big draw and will put bums on seats, or significantly raise the level of the team they sign for, it is a pointless exercise

[moto748]

I agree it seems daft, although I wouldn't be opposed to those getting British citizenship (but surely a short list?) from being exempt.

[josie andrews]

New Super League quota rule with seismic transfer consequences set for approval

Changes that will see a number of players become exempt on the quota have been sent for approval to the RFL board.

Significant changes to Super League's quota rules appear set to be introduced in 2026, which will see a number of current quota players become exempt from the rulings.

Rugby League Live revealed earlier this year that proposals were being discussed to relax the rulings, which would see players who were able to attain British citizenship no longer be considered as a quota player. Every Super League club is allowed to have seven 'non-federation trained' players within their squad.

Initially, it had been suggested the rules could be implemented ahead of the 2025 season, which could have had significant implications heading into the new season. However, Rugby League Live understands the most recent proposal has been slightly amended.

The new proposal would see any quota player who has spent six consecutive years as a Super League player become exempt. They would not require British citizenship to acquire the exemption, though the period of time they would need to have played in the competition is longer than initially proposed.

Players must have specifically spent six consecutive years in Super League, with any periods in another competition in between resetting the time period. Championship players would not be exempt if they had spent six years playing in that competition.

Beyond that, any players who become exempt on the quota would still be classified as a non-federation trained marquee player, should they hold that contract status at a club. Non-federation trained marquee players have a salary cap value of £150,000, compared to £100,000 for federation trained players.

The proposal is now at the discretion of the RFL board, though sources believe it is 'highly likely' that it will be approved, which could have significant implications for a number of clubs and the recruitment market as a whole.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... 4776833d50