Super League\u2019s possible takeover by the National Rugby League could gather pace in the coming weeks as executives head to the UK for talks to thrash out a deal. Had the NRL\u2019s chief executive, Andrew Abdo, or anyone associated with the game in Australia watched the past few days, they would have been mightily impressed with matters both on and off the field.<\/p>\n
The overriding mood in recent months as speculation rises over a\u00a0partnership between rugby league\u2019s two premier competitions has been that Super League is in desperate need of help. A league in crisis, sinking without a trace unless the sprinkling of magic that follows the NRL<\/a> at every turn steps\u00a0in and saves the day.<\/p>\n Financially, that may be true. There is no doubting that club owners are investing more than ever before as revenue streams diminish. However, on the field there is a salient argument to suggest Super League is in the best position it has ever been in. Unsure? Take a look at the top of the competition after Easter as the season passes through the quarter-way mark.<\/p>\n Super League has provided compelling title races in recent years but not quite as widespread as this. Seven rounds feels an appropriate sample size to judge the table and with that in mind, the fact there are five teams level on points at the summit \u2013 with at least one of them representing a major surprise \u2013 means there is plenty for the NRL to be excited about.<\/p>\n The devil will be in the detail with any agreement between the two competitions, but the Guardian has learned the NRL is considering covering the cost of the Super League salary cap \u2013 roughly \u00a32.1m \u2013 for all teams as part of a package. That would immediately prick up the ears of club owners who are losing millions, though they would have to relinquish control of the game.<\/p>\n It is also understood talks have taken place in Australia about identifying a candidate who could potentially handle the NRL\u2019s interests in the UK. That could be a chief executive operating in a club or even a high-profile former player, though it has been stressed to the Guardian any decision is some way away yet.<\/p>\n Few are better placed to underline the positives right now than Super League\u2019s longest-serving coach and the man in charge of the surprise package within the leading quintet, Wakefield\u2019s Daryl Powell. \u201cIt\u2019s more open than I\u2019ve seen in a very long time,\u201d he said after watching his side join Warrington, Leeds, Wigan and\u00a0St Helens at the summit following the Easter fixtures.<\/p>\n Having been shared between Saints, the Rhinos, the Warriors and \u2013 in Super League\u2019s early years \u2013 Bradford Bulls for the first 29 years of its existence, Hull KR\u2019s historic treble last year smashed not only the longstanding status quo, but also offered others a path to follow suit. That is something the NRL has always had over its English counterpart; genuine unpredictability and lots of title contenders.<\/p>\n Bradford v Leeds \u2013 the first Super League derby between the sides since 2014 \u2013 was played out in front of almost 15,000 at Odsal. Photograph: Alex Whitehead\/SWpix.com\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Wakefield, a Championship club 18 months ago, are now showing signs they could be next. Without a major trophy since 1968, they have been revolutionised under the ownership of Matt Ellis and the coaching of Powell. Their 34\u20110 demolition on the road at local rivals Castleford<\/a> Tigers on Sunday afternoon, the final game of Rivals Round, was further evidence of that.<\/p>\n