Revealed: The surprising NRL stars who have been hand-picked to sell the game to the US ahead of Las Vegas double-header in March
- Adam Reynolds and Aaron Woods look Las Vegas
- NRL will send four players to promote the code in December
- Comes ahead of the NRL double header in Sin City on March 3
Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds, veteran Sea Eagles supporter Aaron Woods and Rabbitohs center Campbell Graham are set to be three of the NRL ambassadors ahead of the Code’s historic Las Vegas double header in March.
The Roosters are yet to name their player representative for Sin City, with Manly taking on South Sydney (March 3, 1.30pm, AEDT) before Brisbane take on the Tricolors (March 3, 3.30pm, AEDT) at Allegiant Stadium.
And while the NRL has not yet officially approved the quartet of ambassadors, Reynolds, Woods and Graham were all put forward by their respective clubs.
Woods will certainly be seen as a surprise choice by fans as the 32-year-old is at the end of his career and played just 15 games for the club last season.
However, Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov labeled the prop as the ‘ideal person to represent the club’, while Rabbitoh’s outside counterpart Blake Solly described Campbell as ‘intelligent and articulate’.
It is also understood that Broncos officials are happy to see Reynolds head to the US, despite previously stating that Pat Carrigan was their first choice ahead of pin-up fullback and fan favorite Reece Walsh.
The four ambassadors will participate in a number of actions in America from December 9 to 15 to generate interest and ticket sales.
Sea Eagles sponsor Aaron Woods promises to be one of the NRL’s ambassadors ahead of the Code’s historic double header in Las Vegas in March
Broncos officials are reportedly happy to see Adam Reynolds heading to the US, despite previously claiming Lock Forward Pat Carrigan was their first choice ahead of Reece Walsh
The schedule includes attendance at the LA Raiders vs. Minnesota Vikings NFL game on December 10, a media event at Allegiant Stadium two days later, as well as other promotional opportunities, possibly in locations including Los Angeles and Utah.
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 matches will be held outside Australia or New Zealand.
According to the Sydney Morning Heraldalmost 15,000 tickets have been sold for the double-header in Las Vegas.
The NRL hopes to fill the 65,000-seat stadium and is tipped to call on South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe and Hollywood star Hugh Jackman ā a tragic Sea Eagles ā to further promote the bold sporting venture .
The NRL hopes Allegiant Stadium – home of the Las Vegas Raiders NFL team – will be a sellout for the historic double header
It comes as footy supremo Peter V’Landys recently confirmed the NRL is committed to playing annual matches in Sin City until at least 2028, if not beyond.
Footy supremo Peter V’Landys also recently confirmed that the NRL is committed to playing annual matches in Sin City until at least 2028, if not beyond.
A primary goal is to tap into the lucrative U.S. gambling market, which could bring the code millions of dollars in revenue.
āWe have set ourselves five years and if the results are not there in five years we will reassess, but I know we have the best game in the world,ā V’Landys said.
‘There’s no game like rugby league. It has everything.’
In August 1987, a State of Origin match was staged in Long Beach, California, as rugby league looked to be going global.
NSW defeated Queensland 30-18, in front of an estimated 12,000-plus fans.