NRL 2024: South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe stars in new NRL ad as he “unleashes” rugby league in the United States

Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe has added some star power to the NRL’s Las Vegas push, lending his voice to help teach rugby league to the American audience. See the full video.

Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe has added some star power to the NRL’s Las Vegas push ahead of the game’s historic double header declaring rugby league has been “unleashed” in America.

Rabbitohs co-owner Crowe has voiced the latest advertisement which will be shown in the US to help boost interest in the NRL’s overseas foray.

“It is football but not as you know it,” Crowe says in the 30-second advertisement. “No helmets, no pads, no time-outs.

Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe has lent his voice to help teach rugby league to the American audience. Picture: Getty Images

“National Rugby league is unleashed for the very first time in the entertainment capital of the world – Las Vegas. Be there to witness the 2024 season opening double header. National Rugby League in Las Vegas, March 2, Allegiant Stadium.”

Crowe has also produced a five-minute educational video to help explain the game to the American public.

In the explainer, which this masthead has obtained from Sky News America, Crowe explains the length of the game, how many players on the field, that players play offence and defence and the value of tries and goals.

Crowe explained that “unlike a touch down it is not just about crossing over the line, you have to be able to control the ball and put it on the ground with downward pressure”.

It is understood almost 30,000 tickets have already been sold for the match.

The 30-second advertisement is the second one the NRL has put together to help spread the word in America. This time around it Crowe is talking over a series of highlights which feature Sydney Roosters enforcer Victory Radley making two big tackles. Ex-Sea Eagles Jorge Taufua’s iconic shot on Cameron Munster is also shown as is a tackle by current Manly winger Raymond Vaega.

Former Newcastle winger Dom Young’s acrobatic try against St George Illawarra makes the cut so too does a backflipping Reece Walsh.

South Sydney duo Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker are on it as well as Joey Manu. Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs features multiple times.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys is confident the NRL’s historic visit to Vegas will prove a smash hit for the code.

The ad features some headline moments from recent years, including former Jorge Taufua’s iconic shot on Cameron Munster.

“We have a TV and marketing strategy to make inroads in a market of 340 million people,” V’landys said. “Some would say Vegas is a risk but if done properly the risk can be worth great rewards.

“I believe we have the greatest game of all and as soon as Americans understand the rules and see the collisions of the players, I believe rugby league will take off

“The Broncos are one of the biggest brands in Australian sport and they will be live on Fox 1 in America.

“We only dream about this _ it’s going to be the highest TV profile we’ve ever gained.

“My aim is for the NRL to be screened live in America regularly, that’s what we want long term. We won’t get 100 million viewers, but we have the platform of 330 or 340 million Americans, so there’s a huge audience to tap into.

“I hope this (prime time TV coverage) opens the door for bigger and brighter things.

“This venture can be worth hundreds of millions of dollars if we get this right … and I’m confident we will.”