US TV host baffled by South Sydney logo in hilarious chat

The NRL’s attempts to spread the word in Las Vegas still needs work judging by an interview on American TV.

South Sydney’s NRL logo and Jason Saab attempting to explain its meaning. Photos: News Corporation/Supplied

Despite the two countries speaking more or less the same language, Americans and Australians can still get very confused over cultural differences.

Shrimps versus prawns, fall against autumn and don’t get us started on cantaloupes are some examples of different words used for virtually the same thing across the Pacific Ocean.

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Rugby league’s venture into Las Vegas is also an educational opportunity and Manly winger Jason Saab found himself at the centre of a lost-in-translation moment this week he didn’t see coming.

Appearing on the Sports Wrap show on KLAS 8 News Now in Las Vegas, 23-year-old Saab handled the situation extremely well as he attempted to introduce two older gentlemen to the sport.

“Who are you guys playing?” presenter Ron Futrell asked.

“We’ve versing the South Sydney Rabbitohs,” Saab said.

“The Rabbitohs? Say that slowly. So they’re from where?” Futrell follows up.

South Sydney’s NRL logo and Jason Saab attempting to explain its meaning. Photos: News Corporation/Supplied

“So they’re from South Sydney,” Saab replied.

“South Sydney Rabbitohs,” presenter Ron Futrell repeated. “OK that’s a rabbit? Is that a real creature?” Futrell asked.

“It’s a rabbit. But it’s … they’re all rabbits, they’re all Rabbitohs. I guess that’s the name, yeah.”

To be fair, it’s a team name many Australians and possibly even Souths fans would struggle to explain.

“Rabbitoh” was a term used in the early 1900s in Australia to describe merchants that caught, skinned and sold rabbits at markets.

Saab spoke well on the show, Sports Talk, on KLAS 8 News Now in Las Vegas. Picture: Alfred Naupoto/Manly Media

The rest of the NRL clubs at least have pretty straightforward mascots that would be understood by Americans, including a number that are used across US sports, including Broncos, Titans, Raiders, Tigers and Panthers.

The Roosters and Eels are an exception on that front, although they would at least be familiar with the animals, we hope.

Saab clearly didn’t anticipate the discussion but did admirably trying to explain the situation further.

“Every team has their own type of, I’d say totem,” he continued.

“Like we’ve got the sea eagle, they’ve got the rabbit, Broncos have the broncos, Roosters have the rooster.

“Yeah, that’s how we do it.”

NRL HITS VEGAS

Host: "South Sydney Rabbitohs... okay that's a rabbit? Is that a real creature?"

Jason Saab: "It's a rabbit, but it's... they're all rabbits, so I guess that's the name, yeah. Every team has their own totem, we've got the Sea Eagle, the Broncos have the Broncos." pic.twitter.com/9IM7SVsyAh

— Jack Snape (@jacksongs) February 26, 2024

Unlike some earlier attempts to educate Americans on the sport, Saab emphasised the fact rugby league is different to rugby union and shouldn’t be called “rugby”.

He was also asked to describe NRL.

“It’s action-packed, it’s constant,” he said.

“Bit different to NFL where, like you said, there’s time-outs and all that sort of stuff.

“We just keep the action rolling for all 80 minutes. It’s pretty exciting.”

Saab also believes the NRL’s best teams are competing in Vegas, with the Broncos taking on the Roosters in Sunday’s (AEDT) second match.

Just don’t tell Penrith, who are preparing for a shot at a fourth straight NRL crown.

Rabbitohs in action against the Sydney Roosters in a pre-season match earlier this month. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

“I definitely think we’ve brought our best four teams to the US to showcase the game,” Saab said.

”And there will be more good teams coming back over the years as well.

“We’ve got a few back home that are pretty good teams as well.”

Saab also received plaudits for his performance, coming after Aaron Woods’ appearance in some earlier promotional efforts.

“Those laughing when the NRL sent Woodsy in December, this is why,” was one comment on X.

“At least (Saab) can string a proper sentence together.”