NRL stars sell footy to Americans at one of the US's top-rated shows – but one BIG problem proves they have a huge job ahead of them
- Footy stars are featured in the NFL's halftime coverage
- US presenters repeatedly call NRL 'rugby'
- NRL double header in Sin City on March 3
The NRL has touched down in Las Vegas with Australian superstars Aaron Woods and Campbell Graham in half-time coverage of an NFL match – but some Americans are calling the sport 'rugby'.
A group of NRL stars, accompanied by NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, attended a match between the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings as part of the NRL's push to sell rugby league to the US before four clubs open the 2024 season.
Manly will face Souths before Brisbane takes on the Roosters in Sin City on March 3 next year in a game-changing start to the season.
In a major coup for the NRL, the double header will be shown in prime time in the US on the Fox network in March.
It represents an invaluable opportunity for the sport to attract new fans, and will also be the first time NRL round matches will be held outside Australia or New Zealand.
Aaron Woods and Campbell Graham did a halftime interview about Fox Sports' coverage of the Raiders vs Vikings NFL game that would have been seen by millions of Americans
Stars Aaron Woods, Campbell Graham, Spencer Leniu and Billy Walters traveled to the United States for the official launch, with Woods and Graham hitting Fox Sports' top coverage of the match at half-time.
However, Fox hosts Mark Sanchez and Kevin Kugler both referred to the sport as “rugby” in the halftime introduction, and host Laura Okmin repeatedly followed suit while interviewing Woods and Graham.
The live interview was broadcast live to millions of NFL viewers across the country as the sport looks to make a dent in the US market – but the segment was proof that making a dent in Americans' inability to play rugby union distinguishing it from rugby league is a very difficult task.
“I think Americans love clashes in sports, and Vegas is the entertainment capital,” Woods said during the halftime interview.
“We want to bring home the main game from Australia that we love to do.
“There are no helmets, there are no pads and we're just out there making collisions and pumping up the fans like today.”
A new stars and stripes Steeden has been prepared for the competition, with an action-packed highlights package that will be used in advertising in the United States in the coming months.
“We're just going to try to come out and bash each other,” Graham said.
American presenters referred to the sport as 'rugby' several times during the presentation
The players are enjoying their part in the drive to sell rugby league to the US before four clubs open the 2024 season in Las Vegas
“We want to come here and entertain, and I think we have the product to do that.”
“I'm really looking forward to coming back and putting on a show in March.”
Okmin then asked Woods Woods about the controversial “tush push” play that has had a huge impact since it was introduced into the NFL by the Philadelphia Eagles.
It is often compared to a 'rugby scrum' by American fans and commentators, and Okmin used those terms when she asked the Aussies about it during their interview.
“We'd call it a rugby league srum,” Woods said. “But you can't push and you can't have the ball in the back.”