Despite all the anticipation and fanfare leading up to it, the 2025 Kangaroo tour of England got off to a predictable start with a comprehensive 26-6 victory by the Australians played in front of an enthusiastic, but ultimately disappointed Wembley crowd.
With many pundits claiming that the first test was the best opportunity for England to gain a win, due to lack of preparation time for the visitors, the result does not auger well for the remainder of what should be a historic series.
This tour is significant for the sport of Rugby League for many reasons, not least that it is the first time the men’s rugby league Ashes has been contested since 2003. It also signals the continuation of the process of moving away from the traditional GB side (which contested all the Ashes matches between 1908 and 2003) to England and other Home Nations. The GB side started to disband at the 1995 World Cup, where Wales and England competed as individual nations, and the process continued since then.
The backdrop to this tour focuses on France withdrawing as host for the 2025 World Cup and the subsequent cancellation of the tournament. As a result, International Rugby League decided that a revamp of the international calendar was required, and set about establishing new competitions and tours, including the return of the Ashes.
This tour was originally scheduled to be England touring Australia, but with Australia’s selection as the host for a 2026 World Cup, it was agreed that the three-match tour would be reversed.
When the original Ashes competition finished in 2003, the overall scoreline was on a knife-edge, with 20 series wins to Australia and 19 to Great Britain. However, the statistics do not tell the whole story. While the overall score is close, 13 of Australia’s 20 wins had come consecutively in the final 13 series, with Great Britain without an Ashes victory since 1970.
There is a huge gulf between Super League (SL) in England and National Rugby League (NRL) in Australia in finances and competitiveness. For example, since the inception of the SL in 1996, only four sides have won the competition, whereas in the NRL’s 27-year history 12 different teams have been crowned champions. That competitiveness leads to higher fan engagement and more finances, which is where the difference is stark.
An example of the relative financial struggles lies in Super League clubs’ ability to reach the salary cap, which is at £2.1 million per club in the Super League and around £5.3 million (AUD9.4 million) in the NRL. The Australian clubs also benefit from the franchise model of the NRL, where clubs benefit from a major central investment from the league itself, with each team being paid around £9 million a year, well above their salary cap.
In contrast, SL clubs receive around £1.3 million, well short of their own salary cap, and clubs must find that shortfall themselves if they want to attract higher quality players.
This financial disparity is a direct result of the relative exposure of the two leagues. A prime example is that currently three NRL games a week are broadcast free-to-air. In comparison, only 15 SL games were shown on free TV in the UK this season. All UK sport is overshadowed by football, a problem that Australia doesn’t have – although the Australian Rules League (AFL) holds a dominant position in sports down under (with Rugby League second) the gap is far less than the equivalent in the UK.
There is also a geographic element to the sport of rugby league as a spectacle which is often overlooked. Traditionally played in the north of England, the sport has always been synonymous with cold and rainy conditions, which have always influenced the style of play – attempting a two man miss-pass on a December afternoon in Widnes will not be looked on favourably by the coach, so English league has tended to be dominated by big forwards making the ‘hard yards’. In contrast, Australian players have always played a looser (and more attractive) game, getting the ball to their wingers whenever possible. The English administrators recognised this issue when they moved the Super League season to the summer, but the inherent styles of play have remained much the same.
From the result of the first Test it appears as though the gulf between the nations is growing ever-wider – as a proud Welshman perhaps the move from a GB side to an England only side may not have been the wisest decision?!
David Little is a Partner at Bishop & Sewell in our expert Sports Law and Corporate & Commercial
If you would like to contact him, please call on either 07968 027343 or 020 7631 4141 or email: company@
The above is accurate as at 29 October 2025.
The information above may be subject to change. The content of this note should not be considered legal advice, and each matter should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
