Kevin Rudd sidesteps NRL SOS call over visa issues ahead of Las Vegas extravaganza

Former PM-turned-diplomat Kevin Rudd has dodged calls to help secure visas for NRL stars, adding to doubts about them playing in the Las Vegas extravaganza.

EXCLUSIVE

Kevin Rudd has dodged the NRL’s SOS call to help star players under a visa cloud ahead of the Las Vegas extravaganza, saying “that’s just life” if they are not allowed into the US.

Rugby league bosses Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo last week assured concerned club chiefs that they would call on Australia’s ambassador to the US to smooth the path for any players whose involvement in police matters could cause issues obtaining visas.

Reece Walsh, Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton are among those who have previously fallen foul of the law, sparking concerns over whether they would be approved to enter the US in time for the season-opening double-header on March 2.

Players pictured at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas which will host 10 NRL matches kicking off with a season-opening double-header in March. Picture: Getty Images

But the former prime minister sidestepped responsibility for the issue, saying it was being handled by Australia’s Consul-General in Los Angeles, Tanya Bennett, who started in the post a month ago.

“Our consulate-general in Los Angeles is called a consulate-general because they deal with consular matters. They’re all over this stuff. On the detail of it, I’ve left it to the colleagues to handle,” Dr Rudd said.

“We comply with the laws of the United States like everyone else does, so we’ll work through the processes. If there are problems, we’ll seek to address them. If problems are unaddressable – well, that’s just life. But we’ve got a very competent consul-general in LA who’s got her hands all over this.”

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo at the official launch in Las Vegas.

NRL players Aaron Woods, Campbell Graham Spencer Leniu and Billy Walters attend the Vegas Promo Tour at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Picture: Getty Images

South Sydney Rabbitohs boss Blake Solly said last week that the competing clubs had been told most players would enter the US through the ESTA visa waiver program, while anyone with an issue would apply for a visitor visa that would be “expedited as quickly as can be”.

Broncos fullback Walsh pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine in 2021 but escaped conviction, while Rabbitohs teammates Mitchell and Wighton were arrested and charged last year with fighting in Canberra.

The charges were later dropped.

Mr V’landys has been on a charm offensive to pull off the historic Las Vegas expedition, even attending the White House state dinner held in honour of Anthony Albanese last year as a guest of the Prime Minister.

Originally published as Kevin Rudd sidesteps NRL SOS call over visa issues ahead of Las Vegas extravaganza