.png)
1 year ago
69
A key part of the NRL's drive to sell rugby league to Americans has been revealed with the code's TV commercial already screening in the USA months before four clubs open the 2024 season with games in Las Vegas.
Manly will clash with Souths before Brisbane take on the Roosters in Sin City on March 3 next year in a groundbreaking start to next year's draw.
Breaking into the USA's crowded sports market will be tough, 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 ad opens with Penrith enforcer Moses Leota (pictured) making one of his trademark charges into the defensive line
Already airing on Fox Sports in the States, it opens with Penrith Panthers enforcer Moses Leota smashing his way into Manly's defensive line, followed by Cronulla's Dale Finucaine getting crunched 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's drilled in a tackle by ex-Manly winger Jorge Taufua in what was regarded as one of the hits of the year in 2019.
'No fear' appears on the screen before a quick succession of clips show Souths skipper Cameron Murray getting smashed off his feet and some more heavy collisions before Las Vegas's Allegiant Stadium - the site 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 is from another universe!' as amazing tryscoring feats from stars including Joseph Suaalii, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Dom Young thrill viewers.
Warriors point-scoring machine Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (pictured) also stars in the commercial as commentator Andrew Voss yells, 'That is from another universe!'
Other big names to appear 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 at the 65,000-capacity stadium, which is the home ground of the Raiders NFL team.
Both games will be broadcast in Australia at 1pm and 3.30pm on Sunday, March 3.
Earlier this year, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys stated it was an opportunity for the NRL to tap into the $30billion sports betting industry in the US, which continues to grow exponentially as more states legalise wagering.
Melbourne's Cameron Munster is seen getting drilled in a heavy tackle in the commercial, which is already being aired in America
Souths, Manly, Brisbane and the Roosters will all clash at Las Vegas's 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium (pictured), which is the home ground of the Raiders NFL team
'They are (US) looking for wagering content outside the time zones. Rugby league is the perfect one for that,' he said.
Rugby league has made previous attempts to create some buzz around the code in the USA.
In 1987 a State of Origin exhibition match between NSW and Queensland was held in Long Beach, California, with just over 12,000 fans in attendance to see the Blues run out 30-18 winners - although some estimates put the crowd at just 7,000.
And in December 2004 the Kangaroos national side survived a scare from the USA's national team at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, with the Aussies down 18-0 after 25 minutes but running out 36-24 winners in a game played on Astroturf and split into four quarters, like an NFL match.
English (US)