National Rugby League sides North Queensland, Brisbane and Sydney Roosters officials "are considering a proposal to open the 2016 NRL season with a match in London," according to Brad Walter of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. While "the odds are against the match going ahead next season, the fact it is again being discussed shows the NRL is moving closer to staging a premiership fixture in the northern hemisphere." The Cowboys, Broncos and Roosters "will travel to Britain next February for the World Club Series and it has been suggested that two of the teams stay behind to stage the first premiership match outside Australia or New Zealand." Super League GM Blake Solly said his organization would "welcome and support" an NRL match played in Britain. The NRL "considered shifting this season's opening clash between Brisbane and 2014 premiers South Sydney to London." However, the move "proved too difficult to organise in the short time frame available due to contractual commitments with stadiums and the reluctance of broadcasters to change the schedule of matches released late last year." Roosters CEO Brian Canavan said that "the same issues may again stand in the way of an opening round match being played at Wembley Stadium or the 54,000 seat Olympic Stadium in Stratford, which is home to West Ham and will host a Test between England and New Zealand next month." Canavan said, "We have got our own contractual obligations and then you have got media, with Nine and Fox, so it is a very complex proposal" (SMH, 10/1).
