NRL 2024: Australian golfing superstar Cameron Smith wants to be part of the NRL’s Las Vegas event, Brisbane Broncos

Cameron Smith is one of world sport’s biggest superstars. Now the Australian golfing gun wants to be part of the NRL’s Las Vegas adventure with his beloved Brisbane Broncos.

Australian golfing superstar Cameron Smith has tipped the NRL’s American adventure to be a raging success and declared he wants to be part of the Las Vegas extravaganza.

Smith is back on home turf for the summer of golf, beginning with this week’s Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland in Brisbane.

The 2022 British Open champion – who won five PGA Tour events before making a $140 million switch to the lucrative LIV Golf circuit this year – is one of Australia’s biggest sports stars with mass global appeal.

The Brisbane born and bred Smith is also a huge rugby league fan, publicly supporting the Broncos and Queensland State of Origin team as he jets around the world.

Smith, 30, said he was keen to be part of the NRL’s expedition to Vegas next year – where the Broncos, Roosters, Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles will play historic round 1 fixtures in the US – if it fit his schedule.

Golfers Cameron Smith (left) and Marc Leishman (right) meet Brisbane Broncos NRL player Corey Oates (middle) at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Getty

“Our schedule hasn’t come out yet but I’m pretty certain we’re going to be playing that week,” Smith said after mowing the hallowed turf of Suncorp Stadium with Broncos winger Corey Oates.

“I’d love to be there, I’d love to be part of it, especially with the Broncos being there.

“It looks like I’m going to have to miss out, but we’ll see what happens.”

The NRL wants to make the Vegas season-opener in March more than just two games of footy.

Talks are underway for Australia’s highest-profile boxer Tim Tszyu to fight in Vegas that week and the NRL is drumming up high-profile support for the concept through Hollywood megastars Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.

The NRL has launched its Vegas marketing campaign in the US and is hoping to attract new fans and tap into the lucrative American sports betting market.

Broncos forward Kurt Capewell launches Brisbane’s away jersey in Vegas.

An avid sports fan himself who’s based in the States, Smith said Americans would fall in love with the physicality and fast-paced nature of the NRL.

“Absolutely, they love it,” he said.

“My neighbours love it. I got them right into the State of Origin this year. They were up at 5am watching it and asking a bunch of questions.

“They love the fast pace of the game. American sports in particular are a little bit slower paced. They loved it kept going and there was plenty of action.

“I’m sure they’ll get behind it.”

Golfer Cameron Smith is excited about the NRL bringing games to the USA. Picture: Getty

Smith, who shares a name with Melbourne Storm legend and NRL great Cameron Smith, will be gunning for a fourth Australian PGA title this weekend before moving on to the Australian Open in Sydney next week.

He will then spend Christmas in Brisbane and is planning to pop into Red Hill to watch his beloved Broncos hit the training paddock following their heartbreaking grand final loss to Penrith, which he watched in the early hours of the morning.

“I went to a wedding in San Diego and the game finished at about 4am. It took a lot for me to stay up,” Smith said.

“I was on the edge of my seat and the iPad didn’t fare too well – it went flying across the room.

“It was disbelief. I didn’t know what to say.

“I’m in Brisbane until the end of January. I’ll have plenty of time to catch up with the boys (Broncos), get out on the training field and show them how it’s done.

“There’ll be plenty of good times. I always love Brissy, coming home to family and friends, it’s such a great city.

“I always miss it when I leave. I never want to leave.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Australian golfing superstar Cameron Smith wants to be part of the NRL’s Las Vegas event, Brisbane Broncos