V’landys steps into new role, takes swipe over Lomax return

Peter V’landys has officially stepped into a new role as the NRL executive chairman and admits it could become a permanent position.

The long-time ARLC Chairman is taking more control than ever after Andrew Abdo formally exited his role as chief executive this week.

The pair had formed a strong one-two combination at NRL headquarters for many years, but it will now be over to V’landys to lead the game forward.

And the bullish administrator said he could stay in the new spot full-time.

“If I wanna do it, it will happen - simple as that,” he told 9News Sydney.

“I’ve got the support of the majority, if not all of the clubs. For me, it’s to determine whether I wanna do it.”

Asked whether it could be dangerous for one person to have too much power, V’landys said that the results speak for themselves.

Read more

Maroons ‘rebuild’ awaits as Gus urges Slater to continue

“I don’t think so,” he said.

“At the end of the day, you’re accountable and people will judge you on the outcomes you bring them. If we continue to bring them the outcomes that we’ve bringing for the last seven years, does it matter how much power you have?

“Everything now is gonna be turbo-charged. We want to make decisions quickly, be it the 20th team or global round.”

V’landys will face a few challenges in the coming years, with two new expansion teams, the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs, both entering the competition.

Despite concerns over the Bears, the game’s leading man is confident and denied suggestions coach Mal Meninga wouldn’t see out his commitment to the club.

“I think the Bears will surprise a few next year,” V’landys said.

“I’m positive Mal will be there, no doubt about it. He’s assured me that he’s gonna give it 100 per cent.”

It wouldn’t be a V’landys interview without taking a cheeky swipe at a rival code and this time, it was rugby union in the crosshairs.

When asked whether the NRL would welcome Zac Lomax back into the fold with the Chiefs in 2028, V’landys opened the door as wide as possible.

“Absolutely,” he said.

“My biggest thing about Zac was, he was gonna be the poster boy for rugby union and he was. They generated more publicity out of Zac Lomax than anything else.”

V’landys also said he was “very confident” fellow code-hopping superstar Mark Nawaqanitawase would return to the 13-man code in the future.

Nawaqanitawase will head back to union next year as he pushes for a spot in the Wallabies squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.