by As the bright lights of Las Vegas begin to fade, the NRL’s 2024 season kicks off in full at home this weekend amid healthy optimism about the game even as there are some significant issues.
The NRL’s finances are as sound as ever with revenue at $701.1m and net assets over $260m, leaving the league in remarkably good shape. Crowds were up 25% and linear TV viewers were up 14% last year, and Australian Rugby Commission chairman Peter V’landys has already outlined a vision for expansion in the Pacific and beyond in the US.
But just two games into the season the league has already had to deal with allegations of racism against a player, while the investigation into Spencer Leniu’s comments is ongoing but the Sydney Roosters hurler is likely to be handed a lengthy suspension by NRL judges if found guilty. .
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Legal action is also imminent for the NRL with the state leagues taking their headquarters to court over funding issues, a headache the league hoped to avoid after its latest drawn-out battle with the Rugby League Players’ Association. . CBA. 2024 will have to deal with upcoming changes to sports betting marketing, ongoing CTE-related data and major officiating concerns, particularly the new blocking rules for field goal kicks.
While there is considerable talk and investment in promoting the sport in America, the priority should be to capitalize on the rapid growth of the code in New Zealand. Last year was a breakthrough year for rugby league in New Zealand, the momentum built by the Warriors combined with the decline in interest in provincial rugby union helping the “Wahs” become the sport’s biggest brand. popular in the nation.
Wahs fever shows no sign of abating this year, especially with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returning after the former Dally M Medal winner endured a brief spell in the union, by playing a Test for the All Blacks. Both of this year’s Warriors pre-season games have sold out and have become a national brand for the first time in their history, making it time for the New Zealand NRL to double down.
It was a coaching change, of course, that put the Warriors up the table with Andrew Webster the silver bullet. Gold Coast, St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers will all be hoping for a similar rise as they employ Des Hasler, Shane Flanagan and Benji Marshall. The Titans and Dragons invested in coaches with premiership experience, while the Tigers put their faith in a club icon. The Dragons and Tigers are the two teams who are favorites to finish bottom of the page so Flanagan and Marshall have their work cut out for them.
At the sharp end of the table, Penrith are in the thick of it as they look to become the first team since the famous “Never Before, Never Again” teams of the 1950s and 60s to win four straight premierships. The talent drain continues with Stephen Crichton being the latest superstar to leave but the Premier League favorites with a pipeline of talent ready to fill are few and far between. The announcement that Jarome Luai, the beloved five, Jarome Luai would leave at the end of the season to join. the Tigers are only motivated to make history with their talented roster.
The only team that can rival the Panthers in terms of pure talent is the Roosters, who have generally recruited shrewdly to bring in superstar Dominic Young and enforcer Leniu. Trent Robinson’s side certainly stood out as the sharpest team in Las Vegas and have enough depth that international Angus Crichton missed out on selection for the final.
If one club has matched the Roosters in terms of recruitment, it’s been the Dolphins. International prop Tom Flegler and two star centers led by Herbie Farnworth have been selected by the second-year outfit. Wayne Bennett will not be sidelined at the end of this year and the Dolphins are expected to send him out with a finals appearance, but Tom Gilbert’s season-ending injury will be a significant setback.
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While the Roosters and Dolphins have been excellent with their recruitment, Brisbane have been one of the biggest losers in the player transfer market. Four of the Broncos ’17 from last year’s final are gone and depth is a major concern. What it does mean is that a major contender who lost in the final will return and the Broncos will face an uphill battle.
The biggest heartwarming story going into 2024 is the return of Ryan Papenhuyzen. Melbourne’s speedy back has been badly hit by injury, missing 50 games in the past three years. He forms the best spine in the entire NRL as the Storm look to recapture past glory.
The 2024 season is already upon us after the Las Vegas venture put the NRL front and centre. Now it’s time for the game to get down to business and build on the hype.
