Wallabies captain Stephen Moore hopes to use America’s inability to differentiate between rugby league and union by declaring Jarryd Hayne one of theirs when they hit the US this weekend.
The Wallabies depart Sydney on Saturday and will have a few days of training at the University of Notre Dame before heading to Chicago where they play the US at Soldier Field on September 5.
“Obviously, on the back of what Jarryd Hayne’s been doing, people are talking about rugby, so we’ll probably claim him while we’re over there,” Moore said.
Hayne, who has been lighting it up for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL pre-season, is constantly referred to as a former “rugby” player.
Even the ex-NRL superstar himself seems to have given up, constantly dropping the word league when he talks to US media about the game he used to play.
Moore is as excited as anybody about the former Parramatta ace’s performances for the 49ers.
“Whether it’s league or union, he’s backed himself and it’s great to see him doing so well,” he said.
The US clash comes 18 days before the Wallabies open their World Cup campaign against Fiji in Cardiff.
“Rugby in the US is growing. We saw the All Blacks play the US over there last year, so it’s a great opportunity for us to go over and play well in a massive country,” he said.
Katipo
Guest
@Justthetip. No player in rugby who could make the transition? There are currently 3 ex-rugby union players playing in the NFL: Ngata and Bradley at the Baltimore Ravens and Hayden Smith (an Aussie, ex-Saracens RU) at New York Jets. And I agree with @Rod. The league union thing is boring.
Justthetip
Guest
It did actually check the 49ers site. Rugby will gain from Hayne only initially until the talent scouts recruit other players from the NRL and none from rugby. There's no player in rugby that could make that transition. League is more similar to NFL than rugby in terms of athletes produced. I'm a fan of both games and league fans never carry on like this and most actually follow at the very least support the wallabies. Why act like the hurt ex girlfriend? Does the CFL bad mouth the NFL? Crickets different forms have be able to co exist and in turn maximised interest.
Red Rag
Roar Rookie
Not so slowly. Rugby is the fastest-growing team sport in the USA, and the fastest-growing collegiate sport for both men and women.
Snickometero
Guest
None of that happened though. Are they really at the point where they're now making stuff up?
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
yep, was on triple M grill team with matty johns and co (showing how cultured I am :) !
PeterK
Roar Guru
more like Red Rooster than Macca's, Macca's is global after all
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yep there's a place for McDonald's and a place for Michelin starred restaurants there's also a place for both league and rugby
Snickometero
Guest
Are you sure that you heard that stuff?
AC
Guest
Average quote, average article.
Karlos
Guest
I just find taking undeserved kudos weak. Steve Mascord had an article about 10 days back saying league should somehow exploit the rugby references and i found that weak also. It would be nice for both parties to be honest and use any avenue they can to differentiate the two games and educate the Americans.
Rod
Guest
Who really cares the about the league v Union thing . Both games are fantastic the only difference in oz, Is that league has a domestic comp. that people have a passion for whilst rugby does not.
Olddantucker
Guest
Not only that but one of the American articles said he was from Kiwiland anyway...
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Re jarryd hayne i heard this morning that he had a pretty serious hit out vs another franchise (forgot who) yesterday and he did very well, again. Seems other blokes were in his face in the first quarter, smashed him with 'what's up you aussie' stuff but JH scored a 60m td later in the game. Seems he'll play another pre season game next Monday.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
It's also true for the whole world brad. For everyone but the aussies afl is the weird sport where blokes wear sleeveless shirts. And thats when you're lucky.
Katipo
Guest
@Hog. The Sanzar Unions are making a tactical error by unashamedly chasing revenue (Japan) at the expense of rugby. To retain integrity with fans the tournaments should have merit based performance inclusion - Samoa, Fiji. If they included everyone I could live with it. But to exclude Samoa and Fiji while chasing Japan and Singapore looks like a cynical money grabbing exercise at the expense of rugby quality. Sanzar are slowly damaging the product on offer to broadcasters and fans alike. Despite any short term revenue uplift, it's a road to mediocrity. Less passionate fans = less broadcast dollars. The USA does make more sense than Japan though. I actually hope the Japan franchise falls over soon, and that a clean out of Sanzar leadership follows quickly from that failure.
Hog
Guest
A bit like grabbing the Japanese cash cow, heh ?
Eddard
Roar Guru
Get on the bandwagon! http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/project-soldier-field/ #FillSoldierField
brad
Guest
You Think its hard trying to explain Rugby League to American try explaining AFL to them, the average American doesn't know the difference between all 3 codes, they just thinks it Rugby
Jameswm
Guest
Oh give me a break...If you actually read the article, you'd see Hayne has given up referring to his former sport as rugby league. You obviously didn't line up when they were handing out a sense of humour.
Lostintokyo
Guest
And the 'milking the cow' was meant as 'milking the cash cow'and not 'tugging the tortoise'.