NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo took a swipe at rival codes in his opening address at the Dally M Awards , declaring rugby league the top sport in Australia and the Pacific and claiming "nothing comes close".

Chairman Peter V'landys has repeatedly delivered swipes at rival codes since he started his tenure, in particular rugby and the AFL.

Now Abdo has joined the party. Advertisement

"2025 was a year we broke records and broke boundaries — more viewers, bigger crowds, higher engagement, but importantly, more kids playing than ever before," Abdo said.

"This wasn't just a great year — it was an historic one.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo. Fox League

"But these results don't just happen. Rugby league is a team sport.

"None of this would be possible without the vision and coura

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