‘Aiming for Trump’: NRL’s grand plan to show Nathan Cleary off to America
Nathan Cleary will be the poster boy for the NRL’s second foray into Las Vegas, and the league wants US President Trump to be there.
NRL
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ARLC chairman Peter V’landys is hoping US President Donald Trump will accept his invitation to watch the NRL season kick off in Las Vegas.
The second year of the NRL’s five-year deal with Las Vegas sees an expanded crop of games on the first weekend of March with four new NRL teams getting to strut their stuff in Vegas.
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The Canberra Raiders take on the New Zealand Warriors before four-time reigning premiers Penrith face Cronulla in a blockbuster clash at Allegiant Stadium.
The Australian Jillaroos will play England’s women’s team, while Super League sides Wigan and Warrington will also face off.
It’s a golden opportunity for the NRL to show off their best team in Penrith and arguably the league’s best player in Nathan Cleary to the world.
Cleary already has four NRL titles to his name and the NRL is said to be keen on marketing the 27-year-old as Australia’s version of NFL legend Tom Brady.
“Obviously they (Penrith) have been the most successful team of this decade,” Fox League’s Brian Fletcher told news.com.au.
“Having our best player in the game over there, that’s how they’ll sell it.
“They’re already comparing him to Tom Brady. Having our best player over there in front of their fans, can only be a positive thing.”
Ticket sales have surpassed last season’s figures and V’landys is hoping President Trump will make an appearance in Sin City to add some American showbiz to the season launch.
Mr Trump’s love of Vegas and combat sports is well known, so V’landys has invited him to attend.
“I’m going to give it a go,” he told Code Sports.
“Donald is a sports lover. He has hosted Dana White (UFC boss) and we have a great relationship with the UFC.
“You never know. We will certainly give it a crack.”
V’landys told the SMH: “We’d love to have the president there – we will certainly be inviting Mr Trump.
“It would pay dividends because it would generate significant publicity across America and worldwide.
“It would be worth millions of dollars and provide us the real breakthrough we have been looking for – it would go a long way to putting league on the map.
“It’s not impossible. We know his schedule is hectic, but we also know plenty of people who have ties to him. It would be a real honour.”
Fletcher joked: “Oh that would be good. I heard he’s aiming for Trump. I mean, who knows?
“Everything Peter comes out and says, he invariably gets it done. I wouldn’t be surprised.
“He’s already been to the White House, he’s met the Queen, so the next one’s Trump obviously.”
The Panthers and Cleary will be the main attraction in Vegas this year after the Broncos, Rabbitohs and Roosters kicked the season off in 2024.
“He is the perfect guy to get a following in America,” V’landys told Code Sports.
“He is a once-in-a-generation player.
“His talent is immeasurable. He is a game breaker and a lot of the reason Penrith has won it the last four years.”
Despite Jarome Luai’s departure to the Wests Tigers, Fletcher believes there’s no reason why the Panthers can’t win five premierships in a row.
“Penrith I feel, now they’ve got the four, people are saying, ‘Nah, you’ve had enough’,” he said.
“But now I want them to get five. A lot of people don’t want to see them get five, but I reckon they can. What’s to say they won’t.
“I know they lost Jarome. I thought when they lost Stephen Crichton (to the Bulldogs), that was the straw that would break the camel’s back.”
Fletcher said the NRL’s presence in Vegas will only continue to grow over the course of the league’s five-year contract with Vegas.
“Last year, I feel people were trying to figure it out,” the Roosters premiership winner said.
“But because it came across on TV so well, I know there was a lot of FOMO (fear of missing out) back in Sydney with people watching it.
“I know we’ve sold more tickets this year. I think it’ll just keep getting bigger and bigger.
“It’s good because every team gets their chance to go over there and support their team. And if you haven’t been to Vegas, you’ve got to go.
“I am looking forward to Vegas. The stadium is insane and everyone’s in a good mood and now they get to watch the rugby league in Vegas.”
Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh will be in Vegas as part of Fox League’s coverage.
Kayo Sports has announced a new competition, the Kayo Green Card, which will give one lucky subscriber and a guest of their choice a VIP trip to Las Vegas.
The prize includes return flights, accommodation, tickets to all four games, and $1500 spending money.
Rugby league fans can enter the Kayo Green Card competition via the website.
Participants can play as many times as they like to improve their score. The top scorer on the leaderboard by the end of the competition will win. You must be an active Kayo Sports subscriber to win. The competition ends at 11.59pm Friday, 14 February and the winner sill be announced on Kayo Sports’ Instagram on Sunday, 16 February.
NRL 2025 Las Vegas games, Saturday March 1
Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves (8:30am AEDT)
Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors (11:00am AEDT)
Australian Jillaroos vs England Women (1:15pm AEDT)
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (3:30pm AEDT).
The only place to watch all four games of Rugby League in Las Vegas live is FoxLeague, available on Kayo.
Originally published as ‘Aiming for Trump’: NRL’s grand plan to show Nathan Cleary off to America
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