Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe calls on rugby league to go global
HOLLYWOOD superstar Russell Crowe has declared it is time rugby league went global and has called on the Australian government to back plans to do so.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HOLLYWOOD superstar Russell Crowe has declared it is time rugby league went global and has called on the Australian government to back plans to do so.
Crowe was on hand to watch England play New Zealand in Denver last weekend and the South Sydney owner is adamant now is the right time to sell the code to a global market.
There are plans in place to take a “round zero’’ NRL match — potentially involving Crowe’s Rabbitohs — to the US next year, but Crowe said the game should not be restricted to just an American audience.
EMOTIONAL: Tigers want fairytale finish for Marshall, Farah
STICKING: Crichton not planning to backflip on Roosters
ANSWERS: Buzz takes on NRL refs boss
“I think there’s room to grow the game, not only in the US but in other countries too,” Crowe told The Sunday Telegraph. “That is going to require persistence, and a consistent and collaborative determination by all of the ruling bodies to do so. Many agendas need to become one agenda. Increasing the eyeballs on the game by expansion into other markets benefits everyone.
“I support the idea of playing competition club games in the US, in Canada, China, Hong Kong, anywhere where we can generate interest and excitement.”
Crowe’s international pulling power makes him a logical face of any potential expansion. He wants the Australian government to get involved to help take rugby league to new markets.
“Rugby league’s strength is at its tribal club core,” Crowe said. “Basketball fans follow a team in the NBA, football fans all have a team in Serie A or the English Premiership. We have the same opportunity.
“Our product is our game at its best, and to me, that’s the week in, week out attrition and intensity of the club competition.
“I’d like to see government get involved. Tourism Australia for example could benefit hugely by focusing on Australia’s passion for sport
“If we expand the markets interested in the game at Club level then the benefit to the international game will flow from that.
“The introduction of Fox’s WatchNRL is a massive step forward. Being able to follow games wherever you are in the world, live, gives the sport the fan portal it has been missing. We need to take advantage of that potential.”
More than 19,000 people attended the Test match in Denver. Despite reluctance from some NRL clubs, there are plans to play the game again next year — potentially at the end of the NRL season — while the US will host the 2025 World Cup. Crowe joined the English side — led by Sam and Thomas Burgess — in their dressing rooms post-game.
“It was a bright sunny day and the stadium was prepared beautifully,” Crowe said. “(The crowd) certainly made a lot of noise when the game opened up or when a big hit was made.
“The stadium staff were incredibly kind and helpful and fully aware that some kind of history was being made. I have to hand it to the promoters, from the outside they seemed to tick every box and both teams and the crowd seemed very appreciative of the experience.
“If we can combine our agendas for a common benefit, by the time the World Cup is played in the US in 2025 we could be seeing a focus on the game we’ve never before experienced.”
Watch every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW >