As the news of Jarryd Hayne’s exit to the NFL does the rounds and every person in the game passes their opinion, I feel a great opportunity for the code is being overlooked.
Sure the game of rugby league is being pillaged, with a number of other professional sports offering our stars greater contracts and opportunities, but in this new example I see a positive outcome.
If he is successful in crossing over into the NFL our sport will receive exposure to a massive sporting public in the States.
With the withdrawal of the AMNRL and the USARL the sole governing body the USA rugby league scene needs a major publicity boost.
Following on from the success of the Tomahawks at the World Cup, creating a link from rugby league to NFL could ignite interest from many parties in the USA.
Firstly, the level of involvement from NFL fans is huge and the media coverage a non-punting Aussie NFL star could create would see many people seek out rugby league.
Secondly, while many thousands of athletes push themselves relentlessly to make the cut in the NFL, most never make it. So to connect just a few of these athletes to rugby league would greatly improve the player quality in the US. If NFL clubs see the desirable assets league players acquire the clubs might just start recruiting directly from league, leading more and more athletes in the code in the USA.
Thirdly, corporate exposure. If either of the first two points can occur, the game would be in a great position to capitalise on the massive market that exists. The game could consequently generate more funding, leading to greater growth.
Many people will have objections and feel the whole scenario is very ‘what if’, but the code is missing strategies outside of the strong holds.
Would Sam Burgess, Sonny Bill Williams, Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and others leave our game if we could offer them a greater experiences outside of Australia and Northern England?
Imagine a professional league in the land of opportunity, a world club challenge involving competitive clubs from USA, as well as playing in front of the massive crowds American sport can generate. Perhaps even a burst of life into the international scene.
This would be an opportunity no other sport could emulate.
Congratulations to Jarryd in his decision to chase this dream. I hope he goes far and rugby league can jump in his pocket and share in his success.
Rugby League Development Fund
Roar Rookie
I (Not all of the RLDF) agree partially. I think any exposure of the NRL will be limited, but is obvious. If the USARL are for real, they would help Hayne out with finding a place to live or ANYTHING else he needed. Hayne has obviously got some media attention over there, hopefully that continues. It'd be great for him to be on a talk show, potentially with help from the USARL. Just a little bit of exposure of the USARL would do them wonders. If more people knew about it, I'm sure they'd have more available players - especially if people believed Rugby league could provide a gateway to the NFL.
S.L. Craven
Guest
Having spent a lot of time in the US I can tell you that Americans are interested in their own sport, not some imported code. I mean, he's not a David Beckham going over there to play a game that's played all over the world. Its NRL. It just won't compute with the average Joe in the US Most Americans think that Australia is next door to Iceland to the extent that they give it any thought at all. Hurling has more chance in the US than NRL..
mushi
Guest
Well Ebner and Bademosi went to elite colleges which probably helped there development.
Peeeko
Guest
I'm a chicago resident and nrl lover but even if jarryd makes it to a mid level player in the nfl it won't make any publicity for the NRL at all. There are 1600 players in the nfl
Steve
Guest
There's zero correlation. Just because your a good rugby player doesn't mean you will be a good NFL player or vice versa.
Ryan
Guest
No it's more about turning this scenario into a positive for the sport. Any media attention for the game in this market is a step forward. Moving forward is the only way. The idea of a proffesional league is a big dream that would take many different factors and great deal of time. The point was we can use this to expose league.
Domitian
Guest
It would generate interest in the NFL here in Australia but in America it would barely rate a mention, it would also just say that he is a Rugby player. It really is the Rugby League off season, isn't it?
Tigranes
Guest
Those blokes werent elite level rugby players, certainly not household names....yet somehow they're good enough for the NFL
Steve
Guest
Rugby Union has an NFL combine. It was held a couple of months ago. About 370 trialists turned up. You can watch it on you tube
GoGWS
Roar Guru
I do wonder why the NRL doesn't open up to trialling NFL wannabes ...even the AFL currently has NBA wannabes from USA that have come to try out - I think there are three US athletes with AFL clubs as we speak. The AFL has annual trials for clubs to check out local junior talent, and also programs to look at overseas players from US and Ireland. The NRL obviously gets players from UK and NZ/pacific but it seems not to be open to other regions and players from other sports. The AFL and NFL do seem to look wider and get players from non-traditional backgrounds into their game..
nzmate
Guest
So you think off the back of publicity surrounding Jarrod Haynes move to the NFL this could somehow lead to a full blown US professional rugby league comp that would attract some of Australia's top athletes and draw massive crowds? Rugby league has a tiny following in America, limited playing numbers and investment amongst schools and colleges and virtually no visibility on mainstream media. Sorry but that is drawing an extremely long bow - lets keep things in perspective.
Steve
Guest
I'm not so sure. There are plenty of former rugby union players in the NFL now and in the past. I don't think it has led to a huge surge in interest in the states. Daniel Adongo, Nate Ebner and Johnson Bademosi are all on NFL rosters at present. They occasionally mention their background.