NRL boss Andrew Abdo has once again backed the idea of expanding the competition to include a second New Zealand-based team.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday Abdo said the traditional case against a second team from New Zealand - that it would not bring significant revenue to the league - is now moot after the NRL's recent broadcasting deal with Sky NZ saw TV rights income increase 70 per cent to over $30m a year until the end of 2027.
"There's no doubt New Zealand is an enormous market for us," he said. "Some of our best players in recent years have come from New Zealand and we're certainly committed to investing in the region and seeing more talent unlocked and emerge through pathways systems. New Zealand is a critical component of our competition," Abdo said.
"In particular, the commission is focused on innovative measures to enhance the pathways systems and it's something our clubs are focused on as well."
In October last year, the NRL announced the addition of the Brisbane-based Dolphins to the league from 2023, becoming the first new NRL team since the Gold Coast Titans were admitted in 2007.