Rugby league great Wally Lewis to launch QRL NFTs ahead of State of Origin

A meet and greet with Wally Lewis, a kick of the footy with Cameron Munster or a ticket to the 2023 State of Origin are just a few perks of the Queensland Rugby League NFT project.

Wally Lewis with his limited edition NFT at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, as the Queensland Rugby League enters the metaverse. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Wally Lewis might be the last person you would expect to come across in the metaverse. But now, he just might be the first.

In an Australian first for the sport, Queensland Rugby League is entering the Web3 space, delivering a metaverse for Queensland sport and a drop of 10,000 NFTs ahead of game three of this year’s State of Origin series.

The NFTs include the likes of the “king of rugby league” Lewis, former Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston and young central Queensland gun Cameron Munster. And those who buy from the randomised drop could win a meet and greet with Lewis, a kick of the footy with Munster or a ticket to the 2023 State of Origin.

The collectable digital assets, which will have a floor price of $390, have been likened to a digital raffle ticket by QRL chief executive Rohan Sawyer, one he says comes with ongoing perks and a resale value.

“This is really a cool way to ­potentially get the opportunity to meet some Queensland icons, get some really good value from partner offers throughout it and probably get some unique content,” Mr Sawyer said.

Johnathan Thurston as an NFT.

Wally Lewis as an NFT.

The QRL is looking to raise almost $4m from the NFTs, money Mr Sawyer says will go back into sport across the state. “(Any profit) will be invested back into community rugby league, so that could go across multiple projects that we have across Queensland including local clubs, our female player strategy or our regional strat­egies,” he said.

Asked if he believed the new NFT series would hold their worth amid the recent plunge in NFT values, Mr Sawyer said the perks would be worth the cost.

“We don’t see it as a Bored Ape (Yacht Club NFT) where it’s going be worth tens of thousands of dollars,” he said. “But everyone who owns a token, or a raffle ticket if you like, will receive surprises and opportunities and offers from partners. So it’s a year-long ability to earn prize. If you don’t want to hold that token, there’s a chance to sell that ticket as well.”

The NFTs will be delivered on Dapper Labs’ Flow Blockchain and the Ultimate Queenslander NFT metaverse has been delivered in partnership with XXXX Lion Nathan, Mos Corporation and Playcasta, an NFT platform for sports.

The metaverse will incorporate five virtual lands including The Country, The Tropics, The Burbs, The City and The Beach. Mr Sawyer said eventually, NFT holders would be able to attend house parties among other events with footy stars on the platform.

Lewis, 62, admitted that, before jumping on board with the project, for which he and others including Munster and Thurston received a talent fee, he was not fully across the Web3 space.

“I’m learning quickly about this new metaverse,” he said. “It’s not something I’ve done before. But when QRL told me about what they were doing, including how the NFT program would support grassroots rugby league in our home state, I decided to take the leap. I’m already getting teased about being king of the lands.”

NFTs, Lewis said, were a way to connect with younger fans and one that wasn’t too out of reach for an older crowd.

“If I had to explain it to my generation, it’s a way to get in, it’s a way to get connected, it’s a way to get a digital image of your favourite Queenslander, with some great experiences,” he said. “Fans have changed the way they engage with sport. It’s not just posters and jerseys any more.

“As the world progresses in the digital and metaverse space, it’s keeping our greatest fans engaged. We’re all learning about how the next generation want to be involved in their favourite sports. Why shouldn’t that include rugby league?”

The most exciting #NFT ever in Queensland, no grinding the whitelist! Utility and amazing partners like @QLDmaroons - The Ultimate Queenslander NFT, representing you and the culture of QLD! Join the waitlist now. https://t.co/MWKQxMjefW@flow_blockchain#onflowpic.twitter.com/3eDmwYlqfw

— The Ultimate Queenslander NFT (@nftqlder) June 14, 2022

Originally published as Rugby league great Wally Lewis to launch QRL NFTs ahead of State of Origin