LEEDS RHINOS, St Helens and the two Hull clubs have all publicly backed a proposed deal between Super League and the NRL.

The protracted investment talks hit a stumbling block last Friday when Super League clubs failed to reach a final decision on whether to elevate London Broncos into the competition next season.

Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont took to social media to state he wouldn’t support London’s promotion without ‘due process’, a reported demand of the NRL.

It leaves things on a knife-edge after NRL chairman Peter V’landys insisted an agreement be found by Thursday, when the World Cup begins in Australia.

But Paul Caddick and Eamonn McManus, long-serving chairmen at Leeds and St Helens respectively, have both said they want the right deal to be struck.

A statement released on Monday morning said: “Leeds Rhinos and the Caddick Group give their wholehearted support to a working arrangement between the Super League and NRL and I believe this will be a gamechanger for the sport in this country.

“We worked closely with the NRL earlier this year for our game in Las Vegas and have grown strong relationships with them. They are an outstanding organisation with a drive and vision for Rugby League.

“On the eve of the Rugby League World Cup beginning this week in Australia, it can only be a good thing for our sport to bring both competitions closer together and create a global sport.

“We welcome the NRL’s involvement in Super League and hope a deal can be struck as soon as possible so we can start building towards a bright future for the game in Europe.”

McManus said: “The NRL is the premier rugby competition and organisation of either code in the world.

“A strategic partnership with them on the right terms would constitute a significant and much-needed boost to the performance and profile of our sport.

“It is critical that Super League increases its customer and supporter base from a portion of the population of the towns in which it is presently played in the north of England and to expand and increase it onto the national and global stages.

“The right deal on the right terms with the NRL can involve us in the opportunity which they themselves have successfully and impressively exploited in recent years.

“We hope that this can be achieved through constructive, professional and private negotiations between the two governing bodies in the days and weeks ahead.”

Hull FC and Hull KR then published a joint-statement reiterating their support for an agreement.

Andrew Thirkill, Hull’s chairman, said: “Rugby League is a wonderful sport with passionate supporters, proud traditions and enormous untapped potential. However, we must recognise that the game needs a stronger commercial foundation if it is to prosper.

“The NRL, under the leadership of Peter V’landys and the ARLC (Australian Rugby League Commission), has demonstrated extraordinary vision and ambition. Its record broadcast agreements, remarkable audience growth and commercial success are achievements the whole sport can admire.

“We have an opportunity to combine that expertise and proven leadership with the heritage, passion and potential of Super League, creating something significantly more valuable than either competition could achieve independently.

“A successful partnership should benefit both competitions, opening new markets, attracting investment and sponsors, and building a truly international future for Rugby League.

“This is not just about growing our audiences, but collaborating closely with the hugely successful NRL eco-system and creating a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Hull KR owner Neil Hudgell said: “Having worked with the NRL previously, we understand the expertise and opportunities they can bring to our sport.

“The NRL has set the benchmark for Rugby League worldwide, and its achievements in commercial development, broadcasting, fan engagement and international expansion speak for themselves.

“We believe a properly structured partnership offers the potential to transform the commercial strength, visibility and international standing of Rugby League.

“The interests of our two (Hull) clubs and the wider competition are firmly aligned. We want to see an agreement reached that delivers lasting benefits for everyone involved.”