The NRL is heading for a fresh showdown with clubs over its it decision to carve up the second-tier competition into 11 NSW regions, a decision key stakeholders claim was made without proper consultation.

The ARLC has already agreed in principle to approve the "Platinum League", the revamped competition produced by the governing body's head of strategy, Shane Richardson. The project is one of the crucial pillars of the whole-of-game manifesto the former South Sydney CEO has been working on since his appointment earlier this year.

As part of the revamp of the pathways, the traditional NRL top 25 squad will be expanded to a top 30 from 2018 onwards, resulting in an additional $150,000 being added to each team's salary cap.

Players won't be able to engage a manager until the age of 17 and contracts won't be registered with NRL clubs until they turn 18. Instead, rookie contracts will be permissible for up to three players per club, with a two-year duration.