ARL Commissioner Peter V’landys reaches out to US President Donald Trump to attend NRL kick-off in Las Vegas
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys is going all out in a bid to host Donald Trump at the NRL’s Las Vegas extravaganza, issuing a public plea for the US president to attend the season opener. SEE THE VIDEO
ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys is going all out in his bid to host US president Donald Trump in Las Vegas.
V’landys, having rubbed shoulders with Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden at a state dinner at the White House just over a year ago, has reached out to President Trump through his favourite television show.
V’landys appeared via video on Fox and Friends on Monday morning (AEDT) to personally extend an invitation for Trump to attend the latest Las Vegas extravaganza.
Seated behind a desk with a Steeden in front of him emblazoned with ‘Trump’, V’landys did his best to rouse the President’s interest in rugby league.
“Good morning, Mr. President,” V’landys said.
“I know you watch Fox and Friends, which is a great program, extremely fair and balanced.
“Mr President, we want to introduce you to the toughest game on earth, rugby league, in the world’s sport and entertainment capital, Las Vegas.
“We know you love physical, tough contact sports. There’s no sport more brutal than rugby league.
“Our players don’t wear pads or helmets. As you know, Mr. President, the US has a trade surplus with Australia, one of the rare countries. You attending will balance this out a bit.
“Hope to see you at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 1.
“Thank you, Mr. President, thank you, Fox and Friends.”
V’landys told this masthead that he was hopeful his offer would reach the president.
“We know he watches Fox and Friends,” V’landys said.
“We have made an approach through official channels. We have gone through the proper process. It’s just a matter of waiting to see he comes or not.
“The publicity we would generate having him there would put us years ahead in terms of promoting the game. You won’t get a better opportunity than this.”
Former NRL star Aaron Woods also made an appearance on the show brandishing a jersey for President Trump with the number 25 on the back.
President Trump recently attended the NFL Super Bowl and the invitation to attend the NRL season opener was part of a public relations blitz involving Woods, the former NRL star who is now part of the Triple M breakfast show.
Woods also met Hollywood heavyweights Anthony Mackie and Alan Ritchson, as well as Nascar drivers Ryan Blaney, Corey Lajoie and Ricky Stenhouse Junior.
Woods gave Mackie, who has just starred in the new Captain America movie, a rugby league ball.
“They were champions,” Woods said.
“We just went up to them and said how are you going boys. After I finished talking to Captain America, he asked where I was from.
“I said, ‘Sydney’ and he said, ‘love the accent man’. I just basically explained the game to them. Everyone is asking about it and you can see last year’s games have made an impact.
“Twelve months ago, everyone called it rugby. Now they know rugby league.”
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