The NRL is reportedly considering purchasing a stake in the UK Super League in a bid to strengthen the English and International game.

The Sydney Morning Herald initially reported that the NRL is interested in purchasing a 33% stake in the Super League under the condition that the NRL assumes full administrative control of the competition by 2028.

The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis revealed that a number of key stakeholders in the Super League had reached out to the NRL to sort out the UK competitions financial woes.

“This has been bubbling away for the last couple of months,” Carayannis told SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“We don't have a real grasp on the gravity of how dire the situation is that’s going on in the Super League.

“This is in terms of sustainability and whether the competition can go ahead and what the structure will look like.

“Some clubs and powerful figures are crying out for the NRL to take some control.

“It’s now got to the point where the NRL are considering some proposals including the 33% stake and there are others that may include more.

“There's another concept where the NRL blows up the Super League and essentially starts again (or) a breakaway competition.

“I’d be surprised if by the end of the season, the NRL doesn’t have some sort of stake in the UK Super League.”

The circumstances at the Salford Red Devils typifies the issues facing the competition as players and staff have failed to be paid for a number of months due to complications surrounding their new owners.

GUS GOULD NEEDS TO HELP

SEN’s Andrew Voss believes the Super League needs a figure similar to legendary rugby league personality Phil Gould who could turn the competition’s fortunes around.

“I don’t think enough people have actually been there. I’ve been to clubs like Castleford and tours of the third-tier clubs who are running off the smell of an oily rag,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“It’s a massive job. I don’t know if I could put it into words of how we make the Super league fit into the image of the NRL in terms of how clubs are run.

“Some clubs in the second tier have three full time staff. These clubs only exist because of passion.

“A chain is only as strong as the weakest link. If you don’t support the little clubs down the line, you’re not going to achieve success.

“I’ll throw a suggestion. Gus (Gould) is what they need. They need him to go over for two to three months and just observe.

“He then walks away with a game plan and it would be massive. It would include things like pathways.

“The UK Super League needs a Gus like figure to go over there, be hands on at the coalface and say how we are going to do things.

“Gus is it. Gus is the fit.”