- Broncos vs Roosters, Souths vs Manly play in Sin City
- NRL is trying to break through in the busy American sports market
- New TV commercial features some of the game’s biggest stars
A key part of the NRL’s push to sell rugby league to Americans has been revealed with the Code’s TV commercial already showing in the US, months before four clubs open the 2024 season with matches in Las Vegas.
Manly will face Souths before Brisbane take on the Roosters in Sin City on March 3 next year in a game-changing start to next year’s draw.
It will be difficult to break into the crowded US sports market, especially as the word ‘rugby’ conjures up visions of rugby union for most Americans – but the 30-second ad should be an eye-catcher.
The 30-second advert starts with Penrith enforcer Moses Leota (pictured) making one of his trademark strikes into the defensive line
Already airing on Fox Sports in the United States, it starts with Penrith Panthers enforcer Moses Leota working his way into Manly’s defensive line, followed by Cronulla’s Dale Finucaine being cracked in a tackle against Canberra.
Those shots are followed by the words “No pads.” No Fear’ before the action switches to Storm star Cameron Munster as he is drilled in a tackle by ex-Manly winger Jorge Taufua in what was considered one of the hits of the year in 2019.
‘No Fear’ appears on the screen before a rapid succession of clips shows Souths skipper Cameron Murray being caught off guard and several more heavy clashes before Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas – the venue of next year’s double header – dominates the screen along with the words ‘Rugby League in Las Vegas’.
Footy caller Andrew Voss is heard saying: ‘That’s from another universe!’ as stellar tryscoring performances from stars like Joseph Suaalii, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Dom Young, thrilling viewers.
Warriors point-scoring machine Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (pictured) also stars in the commercial as commentator Andrew Voss shouts, “That’s from another universe!”
Other big names appearing in the TV spot include Latrell Mitchell, Nathan Cleary, Cody Walker and Reece Walsh before the ad ends with the words: ‘This is rugby league’.
The NRL has reportedly sold 15,000 tickets for the 65,000-capacity stadium, home of the Raiders NFL team.
Both matches will be broadcast in Australia on Sunday, March 3 at 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM.
Earlier this year, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’Landys said this was an opportunity for the NRL to tap into the $30 billion sports betting industry in the US, which continues to grow exponentially as more states legalize betting.
Cameron Munster from Melbourne is drilled in a heavy tackle in the commercial, which is already airing in America
Souths, Manly, Brisbane and the Roosters will all compete at the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (pictured), home of the Raiders NFL team
“They are (US) looking for deployment content outside of time zones. Rugby league is the perfect competition for that,” he said.
Rugby League has made previous attempts to create some buzz around the code in the US.
In 1987, a State of Origin exhibition match between NSW and Queensland was held in Long Beach, California, with just over 12,000 fans attending to watch the Blues run out 30 to 18 winners – although some estimates put the crowd at just 7,000.
And in December 2004, the Kangaroos national team survived a scare from the US national team at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, with the Aussies trailing 18-0 after 25 minutes but running out 36-24 winners in a match played on Astroturf and was split into four quarters. , like an NFL game.