As it stands, his plan is for a 14-team open-age competition, likely branded as the NSW Cup, which would include two teams from country areas, two from New Zealand, seven sides in Sydney, a Fijian outfit and sides out of Newcastle and the Illawarra. The teams would not be branded along NRL lines, which means the Canterbury, Penrith and Manly NSW Cup sides would need to be rebadged.

NSW Cup: Action between and Norths. Credit:Simon Bennett

The most contentious part of the proposal surrounds eligibility and how the players are distributed across the competition when they are not on NRL duty. Richardson has flagged the prospect of NSW Cup players aligning to teams based on where they were born as a means of spreading the talent. However, that plan is likely to be viewed dimly by NRL clubs, who will have virtually no control over their players when they aren't playing first grade.

Under the existing arrangement, the NRL clubs dictate where their feeder clubs train, who trains them and have coaching structures are in place to ensure they are learning the same calls, systems and playing styles as the first-grade side so they are prepared when they get called up. It also allows teammates to become familiar with each other's playing styles and to build camaraderie through the club.

However, if the proposal is enacted, an NRL coach could have his 17 second-tier players spread across 14 teams, with many playing against, rather than with, each other.