NRL clubs eye Canadian Marcus D’Acre after impressive showing at the Las Vegas Combine

Multiple NRL clubs have expressed an interest in signing a 20-year-old Canadian star, after an impressive showing during day one of the combine in Las Vegas. WATCH THE VIDEO.

Multiple NRL clubs have expressed an interest in signing Canadian Marcus D’Acre, after an impressive showing at the NRL Combine in Las Vegas. Picture: Jonathan Ng

An Olympian who represented the US in Paris last year and a Columbian rugby player are among the four athletes who will compete for NRL contracts later this year.

Adam Chanel and Marcus D’Acre – who already has interest from North Queensland and Newcastle – were the two males who were selected while Renee Gonzalez and Maria Arzuaga were the two females after the four players competed at the NRL two-day combine.

Chanel was part of the US Olympics rugby side last year but said an NRL debut would match that accomplishment.

“I’ve got such a massive love for rugby league,” Chanel said. “Given the chance to compete for an opportunity is unbelievable. Making me NRL debut will be on par with playing in the Olympics.”

Counting against Chanel is his age at 28.

However, the other male winner D’Acre, at 20, has no such problems. He holds an Australian passport with his dad’s family coming from Melbourne.

The Knights and Cowboys have already said they want to sign him with the Cowboys having identified him when he was playing for Hong Kong in an under-20s rugby tournament.

“I’ve been reached out prior to the combine,” D’Acre said. “This is a huge opportunity. It was an honour to be here and to go ahead and win it.”

Both men want to play wing or centre.

Gonzalez has played for Canada in 7s and 15s rugby. The 26-year-old outside back said it was a Russell Crowe tutorial video which helped teach her the game.

“I also watched some Jillaroos games,” Gonzalez said. “Learning the game was huge coming into this. It’s a great game to learn and play and be a part of.”

Arzuaga, 26, plays centre and has represented Columbia in rugby and is playing in Spain.

“In Columbia we don’t really have league,” she said. “Baby steps.”

NRL club representatives including Phil Gould, Jason Nightingale, Darren Mooney, Peter Parr and Ben Haran were among those who turned out to watch day one of the combine.

INSIDE THE NRL COMBINE

D’Acre was a clear standout after he went through his paces alongside 25 men and 25 women during a three hour session with athletes from US, Canada, Hong Kong, Cambodia and England taking part.

Canterbury’s head of football Phil Gould headlined the list of club staffers who attended the tryouts including Cronulla’s Darren Mooney, St George Illawarra pair Ben Haran and Jason Nightingale, Warriors’ Andrew McFadden and Canberra’s Joel Carbone plus a host of player agents.

Multiple NRL clubs have expressed an interest in signing Canadian Marcus D’Acre, after an impressive showing at the NRL Combine in Las Vegas. Picture: Jonathan Ng

One player sported a dummy; others you only had to take one look at before ruling a line through them but there was enough talent to keep NRL and NRLW scouts interested.

The Knights have made it clear they want to land D’Acre while it is understood the Cowboys have also expressed an interest.

Knights head of football Peter Parr walked away impressed after watching the Canadian under-20s rugby player.

“We are interested in him,” Parr said. “I was impressed by what I saw today. “We knew of him before the combine so we have some interest before today. But today confirmed that we believe he has some ability. We will see where it takes us.”

D’Acre, who did some training with Cronulla this week, is expected to be one of four players who will get a shot at an NRL contract. He will be able to choose which clubs he goes to with Newcastle mounting a strong case to ensure that he lands at their club.

D’Acre, who lives in Toronto, was born in Australia.

While the standout was D’Acre, Adam Channel also attracted interest, but at 27 the 2024 Olympian may struggle to gain a contract.

Adam Channel also attracted interest, but at 27 the 2024 Olympian may struggle to gain a contract. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Cody Nhanala, 23, who played for Canada’s sevens rugby team in 2021 also showed potential. Under the watchful eye of former NRL coach Neil Henry and ex-St George player David Niu the players were put through their paces.

They went through a range of skill and field testing and will undertake strength testing on Sunday.

The four winners will be announced and presented at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.

They will earn a $1200 a week contract with the NRL picking up half the tab in the first year. They will be salary cap exempt.

The second season is a potential supplementary list contract which the club must pay and will be included in the salary cap.

Originally published as NRL clubs eye Canadian Marcus D’Acre after impressive showing at the Las Vegas Combine