The two NRL clubs in a turf war to become America’s team

A sure sign that the NRL’s venture to the US has been a smash hit is the fact a turf war has erupted between two of the clubs playing in Sunday’s double-header.

Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis wants his club back in Las Vegas next year after watching first-hand the hype the historic event has generated. But Manly’s New York-based owner Scott Penn believes the Sea Eagles should be “America’s team”.

Politis was speaking as the Roosters performed their captain’s run at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday (AEDT).

“First of all, everybody knows what a successful brand the Roosters brand is in Australia, and what we stand for as a football team and a club,” Politis said.

“Now it’s time for us to take it to America in a big way if the NRL is serious about what they’re doing – and it appears after everything that’s happened over the last few days, they are. I want to compliment [ARLC chairman] Peter V’landys for the way he’s made things happen. And it will only get bigger. After all, the Roosters are a natural fit. We’ve got the American colours: red white and blue.”

Politis was responding to a claim that Penn made while hosting fans and sponsors at Allegiant Stadium.

James Tedesco takes a selfie with fans at the NRL launch in Las Vegas.Credit: Getty

“We’ve got such an opportunity here,” Penn said. “They love gladiatorial sports. NFL runs until February, and our season goes March-September. It couldn’t be a better time for people who have a bit of NFL depression after the season being over. Our season is perfectly complementary to that. So I think we’ve got a great opportunity.

“I’d love Manly to come back next year. We want to really entrench ourselves here. Obviously, we want to give everyone a fair go, but there needs to be a home team. We’ve put a hand up so we’re happy to be the home team ... America’s team. We’d love to be the American Eagles.”

The NRL must decide quickly which teams will be on next year’s season-opening trip. The game will need a strong Sydney team or two, and if the Roosters and Manly don’t get their way then Penrith and Parramatta shape as potential inclusions given their rivalry.

V’landys names Crowe Vegas MVP

Lachlan Murdoch and wife Sarah will pop their heads into the NRL box at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.

The venue will be awash with dignitaries and business bigwigs from Australia and the US, but there’s one VIP who won’t be there that has been singled out as doing the most work behind the scenes to make the Vegas venture a success.

V’landys has heaped praise on Souths co-owner Russell Crowe, saying he has been the NRL’s secret weapon in the US. This column revealed last year that Crowe had a meeting with the ARL Commission chairman, who said the Academy Award-winning actor has been invaluable working in the background.

“Our partners have been incredible, especially Fox who have gone to another level of support in how they have promoted the game on the Fox network in the US,” V’landys said.

“Also the behind-the-scenes teamwork of NRL staff has been extraordinary. Further, the four clubs have been superb in their efforts and commitment.

Russell Crowe at a Souths game.Credit: Getty

“However the most valuable player has been Russell Crowe, who I sought advice from. His knowledge of the entertainment industry has been second to none. He blew me away with the five-minute explanation of rugby league video.

“In partnership with producer Joe Marchant, the end result was outstanding. The proof is in the pudding with over one million views worldwide.

“We are indebted to Russell and, in five years when the concept reaches its peak, his advice will be ingrained in to my mind.”

Credit where it’s due for making history

It’s not the done thing for any supposed hard-nosed journalist to lavish praise on the boss of the sport they are covering, but for this moment at least it’s time to heap praise on V’landys and his Vegas baby.

In a sport that loves to tear itself apart, it’s easy to overlook great and historic moments. Sunday in Vegas is one of those. I could be left with egg on my face if either game is marred by some kind of stuff up on or off the field.

But the fact that the game is doing this is quite incredible.

It’s the little things you notice, the human things that make this kind of experiment worthwhile. I had the privilege of walking down the Vegas Strip with V’landys this week. He was stopped by NRL fans and one said he and his wife were combining their 30th wedding anniversary with this trip. The joy on their faces shone through.

Sean Keppie, who makes his debut for Souths against his former team Manly, summed up the feelings of many players on the trip. “I can’t believe I’m going to America for rugby league,” he said.

“This is only the third country I’ve been to if you consider Australia as one of them. I wouldn’t have got here without rugby league. It’s one of the great experiences of my life.”

I drove to the NRL’s launch and fan day in Vegas’ old town on Friday (AEDT) with V’landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. There was apprehension about what they were heading to. They need not have worried. It was the game’s best promotion since the days of Tina Turner. The reaction of the 5000-strong crowd was amazing.

“We are committed to this for the next five years, and we will not be deterred from our goal of making this sport well known in the USA,” V’landys said. “I’m not worried about the white noise or the knockers. We have an idea in mind and we are going to execute it and make it successful.

“Of course I worry. When I was on the plane I was thinking to myself, ‘Peter, you are an imbecile. What are you doing?’ Of course, you have concerns and doubts. That’s part of my nature but I can see something here and I know other sports would love this opportunity.”

Peter V’landys deserves praise for the Vegas venture.Credit: Getty

Vlandys is right. The AFL has been eyeing the US for a decade, but can’t get a foot in because the game requires a larger field.

The ARLC chairman says the key is the gambling dollar and getting the product screened on the Fox Corporation-owned Fox Sports 1 in the US. Without TV exposure, the game has no chance of creating a foothold.

Having spent a couple of weeks here, you really need to look hard online to stay across rugby league news in Australia. Having a game on in the middle of the night on a pay-TV channel no one watches will not lead to the game making a mark. It needs to be front and centre, big and bold – and needs the support of a network.

I’m sure V’landys is working hard to make that happen through his connections with News Corp.

Big-money move a Schaefe investment

In a city that’s all about dollars, bright lights and false bravado, it’s easy to forget the cost and chaos of transplanting four football teams – and everything that goes with it – to the other side of the world.

We got an insight from the man who led the Rabbitohs charge into the US, chief operating officer Brock Schaefer, who revealed the cost of taking Souths over.

“It’s in the area of half-a-million dollars, if you take into account everything the NRL has funded in terms of flights, a lot of the accommodation in Las Vegas and then what it’s cost in San Diego as a total,” he said.

“I know what we’ve spent. It’s an incredibly large investment from the game and I think there are times where you can question that expense and return on investment but I think once we’ve been here and started seeing the actual awareness and understanding of what the game is trying to achieve and when you recognise it as part of the five-year strategy, I think it will be money well spent. But the important part is the NRL seeing it through.”

Souths left nothing to chance for their US trip. They brought over a welfare officer, who doubles as a mind coach, and their nutrition expert. Their sports science team produced a 21-page document to navigate every aspect of the trip, from sleeping to places to eat to flights.

For a lot of the group it was their first time on a big international trip.

“I think for all four clubs ... nobody will have the challenges we’ve encountered because it was such a short runway to prepare ... the clubs were announced in August, or even later,” Schaefer said.

Mates go the extra smile for ‘Muz’

Here’s another example of why the NRL’s Vegas venture is a winner.

Roosters fans in Las Vegas pay tribute to their mate Chris “Muz” Murray.

A group of mates have used the trip to pay tribute to mad Roosters fan Chris “Muz” Murray. The 54-year-old was diagnosed with stage 4 (terminal) cancer in 2021. He had tickets to see the Roosters and U2 in Vegas but took a turn in November and was too ill to make the trip. His mates, led by Doug Noonan, created shirts for their Vegas trip to pay tribute to Muz.

“We just want to give him a shout out and let him know that we wish he was with us in Vegas and hopefully put a bit of a smile on his face,” Noonan said.

Timely advice for Teddy

James Tedesco was seen wearing a space-age watch in Las Vegas. He’s been wearing it at training and says it only leaves his wrist when he is playing.

James Tedesco’s WHOOP watch.

“It’s called a WHOOP,” he said. “It tracks my heart rate and sleep, and it gives me a read on how much sleep I need to recover. It reads my REM sleep ... I swear, buy it.”

Turbo not up for a race

The most overused conversation starter with Tom Trbojevic?

“I can’t begin to tell you how many people have told me not to race anyone down the Strip,” he laughed, in reference to his famous Corso dash.

Sizing up Victor

Another conversation starter is Victor Radley and his size. The Roosters forward looks bigger and somehow taller.

“I did return to training a bit pudgy and I’ve copped it from the boys,” the 25-year-old said. “No, I’m not taller ... I’m a kilo or two more than I was.”

Too much Vegas spirit

2GB’s Mark Levy fell into a Vegas trap early. He was at Marquee nightclub and was asked to shout a bottle of vodka. The $1800 bill was worse than the hangover.

Pearce hits the airwaves

Mitchell Pearce has always been a media talent – and it appears he’s making a start in that area. He has signed a deal with Triple M.

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