Super League clubs have turned down a £35 million investment proposal from the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), which aimed to boost the European competition’s revenue. Discussions about a potentially transformative partnership between the National Rugby League (NRL) and Super League have been ongoing since last year, but no new offer has yet been made. Kevin Walters, the incoming head coach of St Helens, has voiced support for a collaboration between the two leagues, stating that Super League does not need assistance but sees mutual benefit in a partnership with the NRL. Walters, who previously coached the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL and led the Australian national team (the Kangaroos) to a 3-0 victory over England during last year's Ashes tour, noted that there is no physical gap between the leagues. However, he acknowledged there might be a slight difference in the speed of play. He emphasized that Super League has strong talent and is a respected competition in Australia, despite the perception that it might not be as fast-paced as the NRL. Eleven players from the NRL have been included in England's preliminary World Cup squad, and Walters believes he can help reduce the trend of Super League players moving to Australia. He suggested that improving financial rewards for players in Super League could encourage more athletes to stay in the competition. Saints chairman Eamonn McManus has also supported the idea of collaboration, arguing that the NRL and Super League should work together to grow rugby league globally rather than one organization dominating the other. The Rugby Football League (RFL) has expressed genuine interest in exploring a partnership with the NRL that is both mutually beneficial and financially fair, aiming to create a unified global entity for the sport. Walters made these comments during a brief visit to St Helens, the club he will join after leading Australia to the World Cup in September. He noted that St Helens has experienced a decline in performance since winning four consecutive Super League titles from 2019 to 2022, finishing third, sixth, and fifth in the past three seasons. He expressed confidence that with the right team in place, the club can return to success quickly, citing his own experience of turning around a struggling NRL team into a Grand Final contender within three years.