The NRL is bending the rules to anoint Peter V’landys. Strap yourselves in

Later this week, rugby league’s version of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel is expected to emerge from NRL headquarters as Peter V’landys is anointed executive chairman .

In the midst of the NRL and NRLW finals series and on the eve of racing’s spring carnival, it would complete a long-anticipated permanent switch of sports for the bull-at-a-gate administrator.

The newly created position stands to give him unprecedented power, making him effectively the NRL’s chief executive as well as chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission. He has held the latter role since 2019.

The dual functions of CEO and chairman are explicitly not allowed under the ARLC’s constitution, drawn up 15 years ago by the former Super League combatants News Limited and the ARL.

V’landys himself is on record as saying a removal of the separation between the board and management was not appropriate.

“I’ve always believed in proper corporate governance, so it would be hypocritical to do anything other than that,” he told this masthead in 2020 .

They have also shifted since May, when V’landys was asked again about becoming executive chairman as Andrew Abdo announced his departure as CEO and replied that a change to the constitution was required to facilitate it.

Since then, V’landys and his fellow commissioners have come across a workaround deep within the foundation document which, they have been advised, would allow him to become executive chairman without amending the constitution – something that would need the acquiescence of the clubs and state associations.

It was one of the clubs that brought the clause to the Commission’s attention.

With the code in rude financial health on the back of a record seven-year $5.3 billion broadcast rights deal, few, if any, will block his coronation.

The clubs are mostly behind V’landys. Even those hesitant about handing such power to one person largely admit that it is better to have him on your side than not.

The NSWRL and the Queensland Rugby League, however, are yet to give their seal of approval, and have not even been approached.

They and any wavering clubs are effectively being dared to take V’landys on. To do so, they would have to go to court.

Officially, the man himself is still to decide whether he will take the job. As he continues to weigh it up, he has been out and about.