Newcastle Knights set to sign 198cm rugby union centre Marcus D’Acre after Las Vegas combine

An NRL club has agreed to sign a Canada-based rugby union player on a two-year deal after the 198cm giant impressed at the NRL’s Las Vegas combine. WATCH HIS HIGHLIGHTS.

Newcastle has agreed to sign a 198cm rugby union centre who has played in America, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore via the Las Vegas combine.

While the deal hasn’t been formalised, the Knights are poised to offer Ontario-based Marcus D’Acre a two-year deal from the start of next season.

The NRL is expected to ratify the contract in coming days.

Newcastle approached D’Acre, who weighs nearly 100kg, after being sent a video of his on-field exploits by former St George player, David Niu, who is based in Philadelphia.

Niu, a rugby league pioneer in America and US talent scout, was part of the Las Vegas combine.

D’Acre, who has played top-level rugby union around the world, won a place in the combine, which was run in Vegas during the NRL’s extravaganza in early March.

Several combine players were chosen to train with NRL clubs last year but all failed to succeed due to differing circumstances.

Australian-born D’Acre, 20, has spoken with this masthead about his desire to play NRL, declaring: “I am 6’5”, weigh 97 kgs and have good aerial abilities. Offloading and beating defenders are attributes I have developed playing in the centres over recent years, and I’d like to think that I’m quick.”

The Knights have agreed to sign Canadian talent Marcus D'Acre. Picture: Queen's University Athletics

Newcastle infamously dabbled in an American player in 1999 – a move which collapsed spectacularly.

A winger named Greg Smith was signed by the Knights, and played one NRL game, but was later accused of misrepresenting his stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.

D’Acre was among 25 aspiring male and female players who competed at the combine, which included players from Canada, America, Mexico, Jamaica and Columbia.

Marcus D'Acre impressed at the Las Vegas combine. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Rugby league is one of the best sports in the world. It’s very entertaining, and takes a high level of cardiovascular strength to play,” he said.

“I’ve been playing rugby union for 17 years. I began playing in Singapore at age three and my family and I then moved to Canada where I’d play for my current club Oakville Crusaders. In 2021, I went to boarding school for a year at St. Andrews College, Christchurch and then came back to Canada.”

Prospective combine athletes were told they would need to “display the potential to play in the NRL.”

The NRL stated: “The NRL Combine is an invitational scouting showcase, designed to discover and evaluate potential NRL talent in North America.

“Athletes participate in a range of speed, agility, strength and skill-based tests, each designed to assess the athlete’s suitability to play in the NRL.”