NRL in Las Vegas: Which rugby league players could make switch to NFL?

It is the domain of some of the most freakish athletes on the planet, so could an NRL player be able to crack in the NFL? WATCH to find out who the experts think could make it.

Rising running back Zamir White says he could crack it at rugby league after being endorsed by Las Vegas Raiders teammates Jermaine Eluemunor, who is one of the few NFL players to have a rugby background.

Eluemunor nominated White and fellow Vegas running back Josh Jacobs as well as fullback Jakob Johnson as Raiders players who could make a fist of rugby league.

White, 24, is used to running into defenders and being tackled given his role with the side.

He scored a touchdown and ran for more than 63 metres during the Raiders’ record breaking 63-21 win against the Chargers on Thursday night.

Although his $1.8 million contract with the Raiders would make him the highest paid player in the NRL.

“I get a whole lot of hitting,” White said.

“We get used to it. Being hit, the pounding. The ground and pound. Yes sir… I do not know much about (rugby league) but it looks pretty cool.

“Like for us we are natural athletes but we could do some damage in it.

“For the fun of it I’d give it a go.

“Those guys practice it and their craft is just like ours. I have respect for their game.”

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) is confident he could crack it in the NRL. Credit: Las Vegas Raiders

Eluemunor took a different path to the NFL.

The offensive tackle, who is one of the key men for the Raiders when they have possession, was born in the UK and his first taste of contact sport was playing rugby union.

“I was playing English football and I got too big and physical for the sport,” Eluemunor said. “I went to rugby. I was playing in the local team but then I tried out for the London Scottish and I made that team but then by the time I was going to get into that I ended up moving to the states.

“I have always loved rugby. I watched the Rugby World Cup. I love the sport.”

The fact that rugby league is coming to his home ground in March has Eluemunor interested.

“It looks as physical as hell,” Eluemunor said. “I want to go to the game and see more about it. I’ve never been to a rugby game before. I want to be there in person.”

Who the NRL stars think could crack it in the NFL

Campbell Graham: One player that would do well is Payne Haas. He is big and agile. I have my money on him.

Aaron Woods: One player that would make it in the NFL is Matt Burton as a punter. He has the best boot of anyone I have ever seen.

Spencer Leniu: Nelson Asofa-Solomona. He has the size and all the explosiveness.

Billy Walters: Reece Walsh could make it from the NRL. He is too fast, too agile, too quick.

Originally published as NRL in Las Vegas: Which rugby league players could make switch to NFL?