Wigan Warriors’ Kris Radlinski calls for closer Super League links to the NRL

[josie andrews]

WIGAN chief executive Kris Radlinski wants to see British Rugby League work closer with the NRL to help boost and grow the sport in the UK.

Wigan have partnered with Australian officials to stage their historic Super League game against Warrington in Las Vegas on March 1 at Allegiant Stadium.

The Warriors also worked successfully with Penrith to stage the sold-out World Club Challenge clash, where they defeated the Panthers, at The Brick Community Stadium last year.

Radlinski believes Super League and the British game can learn a lot from their Antipodean counterparts and advocates for a closer relationship in the future.

“I hope so, the NRL have been brilliant,” said Radlinski.

“They have been very respectful of us and Warrington, and of Super League. We have fortnightly catchups now and they’re across every single detail.

“John Vellis (NRL general manager marketing) is leading the programme and he has told his team to give us the same service as the NRL teams that go out there. It’s been fantastic and I’m keen to learn more.

“When I get to Las Vegas, the players will do their work, but I’m keen to meet as many people as possible from the NRL, partners, sponsors, broadcasters – just to try and absorb as much as I can and see everything continue to grow.”

Radlinski admits there has been an extensive amount of work to get the Las Vegas event off the ground, but with more than 8,000 tickets already sold by the UK clubs it is coming together.

“I don’t think people understand the depth of what we have to do,” he said.

“The look and feel of our game against Warrington has to look like a Super League game.

“Travel packages, venues, training stuff – we’re all across that. Everything is where it needs to be but it’s a been a great learning experience and we’re almost there.”

Radlinski confirmed that Wigan’s billionaire owner, businessman Mike Danson, will attend the inaugural American game on March 1. Danson, the CEO of Progressive Digital Media, bought the Warriors in 2023.

“Mike will be there, he can’t wait,” he said.

“He’s obviously got offices in America so he’s bringing a crew and all his family is coming. We’re just finalising the Las Vegas itinerary. Every day something has to be on and we want to milk it.”

https://www.totalrl.com/wigan-warriors- ... ks-to-nrl/

[Exiled Wiganer]

I am yet to see any reason why we benefit from this. Radlinski can go to Sydney and learn far more than he will get from this jolly. We will play 2 games jet lagged, and we season ticket holders lose a home game.
That said if I was spending my boss’ money on a jolly and a p—- up I would come out with something like this.

[fozzie58]

I am yet to see any reason why we benefit from this. Radlinski can go to Sydney and learn far more than he will get from this jolly. We will play 2 games jet lagged, and we season ticket holders lose a home game.
That said if I was spending my boss’ money on a jolly and a p—- up I would come out with something like this.

I’m still at a loss too but what do I know the London game down at millwall,the jolly boys outing with hull down under and now this I just fail to see it will do to benefit the sport I hope I’m wrong

[medlocke]

The sooner the NRL take control of the Super Duper League the better, the RFL are as clueless as the current government

[ancientnloyal]

Vegas will do nothing for our game to be honest.
Vanity

[moto748]

What's in it for the NRL? Nothing, as far as I can see, They have their own, very successful and rich comp. As for SL becoming effectively a feeder league for the NRL, isn't that pretty much where we are already? If I was running the NRL, I can't see that I'd be keen on throwing money (because presumably, that is the hope?) at SL.

[moto748]

One thing Donald Trump is (generally) right about: in any deal, there's a loser and a winner.

[thegimble]

Vegas will do nothing for our game to be honest.
Vanity

Totally agree

Reason we are going is to make the attendance look better on TV. Under 41k attended a stadium holding 65k. This will do nothing for us or the game in the US.

Idiotic idea tbh.

[kitt green warriors]

I went last year watching the Broncos and to be honest I proper enjoyed it, but my attitude is if you don't try, you'll never know, the way we're talking here we sound like Cas and Wakey looking to stay the same, I think we'll put on a great show which probably means some will say that we're putting our lads (And women) in the shop windows but if we can put on the best match of the weekend then how good would it feel, we'll be 3 games in and the Aussies will be their first game, in a dream reality we could have a Wigan rugby fan club in LA!, in reality I know it's about getting a slither of the betting markets in the good ol' USA which didn't really happen last year but we have to persevere and keep going back, personally I hope we go back next year which Rads has intimated and play Saints!.

[mickali1]

I went last year watching the Broncos and to be honest I proper enjoyed it, but my attitude is if you don't try, you'll never know, the way we're talking here we sound like Cas and Wakey looking to stay the same, I think we'll put on a great show which probably means some will say that we're putting our lads (And women) in the shop windows but if we can put on the best match of the weekend then how good would it feel, we'll be 3 games in and the Aussies will be their first game, in a dream reality we could have a Wigan rugby fan club in LA!, in reality I know it's about getting a slither of the betting markets in the good ol' USA which didn't really happen last year but we have to persevere and keep going back, personally I hope we go back next year which Rads has intimated and play Saints!.

Great post.