A $10.8 million funding injection by the NRL into the game's second tier will result in the return of two curtain-raisers before NRL matches and confirmation of a ''Super Bowl'' play-off on grand-final day between the NSW Cup and Queensland Cup winners.

The landmark review into rugby league's pathways has been signed off by the ARL Commission, and only needs the expected rubber-stamping by the QRL and NRL clubs before being in place for next year. Officials charged with leading the review of the second-tier pathways opted against bringing back a reserve-grade competition or making significant changes to the Holden Cup, instead deciding on the massive investment in the state leagues.

''This is very significant,'' said NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle, who led the pathways review along with head of football Todd Greenberg. ''This shows that we're very much looking at whole-of-game, and not just the 16 NRL clubs.

''There are 25 other teams now that are going to be part of the NRL system. It's a real significant step for us to put $10.8 million into the competition at that level to enhance that competition, to raise the standards, whether it be facilities or medical standards. It's a real investment for the game, to show that we're wider than just the NRL.''