Like the first human to jump aboard the back of a wild horse, Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya set a daring, historic example last night that’s sure to inspire others to follow suit.
Without intimately knowing the family backgrounds of every player to grace a field, he’s believed to have become the first player of direct Chilean descent to make the NRL.
Though born in Fiji, his dashing name is a dead giveaway of his Latino parentage, making him a hero for fledgeling competitions in an untapped part of the world called home by 600 million people.
As simplified as it may seem, with a try on debut in far-flung Dunedin he eclipsed what has been done through years of development work in South and Central America.
Because, when people see someone of the same make-up, the same visage, achieve a feat they previously thought beyond the realms of possibility – and do so on a grand stage – they start to believe.
And then they start to aspire and achieve.
But before we get carried away with an NRL career that’s only 80 minutes old, it’s interesting to note who the two most influential players have been to date in allowing rugby league to take root in Latin America.
The answer will make rugby league tragics think differently about how they perceive these two men.
And it makes you question how over-reactive we’ve been when our superstars have turned and walked in another direction.
“In my youth in Buenos Aires we were sold a message that rugby union was the only form of rugby played anywhere,” says Carlos Varela, now president of Confederacion Argentina de Rugby League.
“Little by little over the course of my life I learned this was not necessarily the case, but it wasn’t until a very good player was televised here that I, and others, started taking big notice.
“This player was more ductile than others, faster, had very secure body positioning on the field.
“The commentators said ‘So and so comes from rugby league… from NRL’ and that’s what led me to look deeper and find out about that modality of the sport.”
The player Senor Varela refers to was Israel Folau.
For all the misgivings rugby league fans may have about Folau’s decision to try other codes, he has done more to spread the 13-man code than hundreds of the game’s best players.
All because rugby union gave him a platform to take his wondrous skills into new territories that league was not reaching.
Each time he starred for the Wallabies or the Waratahs, people overseas started searching for his highlights clips.
And suddenly, they were looking at images on YouTube of him scoring impossible tries in State of Origin, monstering older men as a teenager in Melbourne, playing to packed crowds for the Brisbane Broncos.
They then noticed players wore different numbers in these games, played to different rules and collided more spectacularly.
Welcome to the way sports marketing works in the 21st century.
For all the analytics at our disposal, the data capture and customer profiling, on the other end of the keyboard are serendipitous humans who still make decisions and form opinions of free will.
The example of Folau makes it easy to guess who the other NRL player to help plough a path in Latin America has been.
Indeed, there are influential administrators and coaches across multiple Latino nations who switched on to the sport because of Sonny Bill Williams.
His impact is particularly noticeable in Brazil, where in three cities separated by 1000km, three entirely unrelated men started following the Roosters and teaching the game of rugby league around the same time, inspired by SBW.
That was largely because the tricolours won the title in 2013 when Sports+ was televising NRL fixtures into the world’s fifth most populous country (they’ve since gone bust).
But it was also because Williams had been given exposure in union before and after that made people further aware of his phenomenal skills and marketable personality.
SBW fans in Colombia and Mexico having a big say in the way the game is taking shape there prove it is no anomaly.
In the South Pacific it might be Jonathan Thurston, Greg Inglis and Cameron Smith who sell rugby league, but elsewhere it’s two guys who don’t even play the same code who’ve done the job inadvertently.
However, back to Montoya and what it means for him to cross for a try in what might become an otherwise inconsequential Round 3 affair.
For a brief, flitting minute it puts a tiny spotlight on Chile where, from zero rugby league clubs less than two years ago, there are now eight.
They’re close to one of the lowest-ranked sides in international footy, coming in at 34th.
But, as a source of pride for them, they’re also the highest-ranked nation in Latin America.
Having someone with at least a partial Latino genetic composition crack the big time means there’s no discounting the possibilities for others anymore.
It can be done. It has been done.
Big Daddy
Guest
Wait for it ¿??????
Mathew Stealer
Guest
Cmon boys it's his obsession i think its only just he gets the Honour! TAKE IT AWAY CROSSCODER!!
clipper
Guest
You'd get very short odds on that -12 out of 13 threads CC was involved in CC had to have the last word!
Mathew Stealer
Guest
Haha CROSSCODER!! Thankyou Linesman Thankyou Ballboys!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
SA I don't believe and I may be wrong, the NSW Govt was prepared to bid on the RLWC,perhaps due to the monetary commitments for the ANZ/Parramatta/and Allianz stadiums here. The WA/Vic /Qld did.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
At least in France they have a pro and semi pro comp.And now get Govt approval for access to schools, previously denied. Thanks for bringing it up I didn't and don't unless some clown has a shot, yes I'm still awaiting the French rl to get reparations.You are getting desperate throwing uo that at me. Your obviously like our mate here .have not kept up to speed.Because rugby league can now get into French schools,the numbers are increasing.Imagine AFL not gaining access to any schools in the Nt states. The British Govt are pouring in P25m for the RLWC 2021.The aim is to grow rugby league in the UK.I don't know how much Govts pour into AFL overseas, but I suggest a mere pittance. I'm fully aware of the number situations in both those countries,just as i'm fully aware of inflated numbers here for a certain code not rl. I understand you can't handle the thought rugby league has players being paid in other countries,when Nauru is probably the best you can get.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Mathew/Smithy/Vichy "pathetic" Unfortunately means someone who dislikes something or someone so much, they spend an eternity within a discussion group of people who either have a genuine interest or offer constructive criticisms on the very thing that "someone " hates. I've spent a hell of a long time on this planet, met many people who don't like rugby league which is their prerogative,but I can honestly say there are but a mere handful who carry on the way you do. I've also played 3 football codes,appreciate the good and bad of both, but I spend SFA of my valuable time, ego tripping on other codes' threads by showing everyone I'm an A grade clueless cynic. Little ole rugby league a mere blip on the map, develops clubs or grassroots in a country here and there , and you go into a lather of discontent ,throw generalisations around like confetti.Yes I understand the meaning of pathetic. You're quite happy to throw out the sarcasm at people here and rugby league, can't handle rebuttals.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
I thought it was enthralling big daddy. Cant wait for the next article about international rugby league so it can start all over again. Given how much this topic wounds a select few its worth it just to witness the angst.
Big Daddy
Guest
I bet crosscoder gets the last word. I call it a draw. Keyboards away and off to bed. Ha ha
Mathew Stealer
Guest
Big Daddy im having a ball i really hope it doesn't finish!! Crosscoder and Justin are really good fun
clipper
Guest
You forgot to mention France (which is most unusual, as you bring up Vichy at the drop of a hat) The decline there has been great and picking up a lot of small numbers in other countries won't make up for the huge shortfall in English and French numbers.
Big Daddy
Guest
And the winner is ????? I just lost my train of thought. Can you blokes give it rest. It is really starting to get very boring.
Mathew Stealer
Guest
Crosscoder you call me Donald Trump and do you see me blow up and carry on the way you do? Its pathetic mate
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
What I have brought to the table Mathew,is a list of informative articles about rl in various places.Backed up by other sources at times. Not my articles but by those at the coal face.None of my points has exaggerated ,suggesting the game is huge and people are falling over themselves to playas you are trying to imply. Now you can choose to ignore, laugh at them, but don't accuse me of lying or exaggerating. It's evident you have not the bottle to admit you haven't go a clue, you're here because on e can predict ,there is little available anywhere else to excite you. TBF you are easy meat when it comes to a debate.Knowing your subject matter is a prerequisite,you have let the side down badly. Repeating one more time the question, spell it out where rl people here including myself have stated any developments overseas are huge with huge crowds? .That includes the Toronto Wolfpack.If you can't name one clearly, then melad as the saying goes"you are the weakest link, good bye." An analogy in Monopoly ,your effort would come under the worth of Old Kent Rd.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
You have made more posts here than there are telegraph poles in the Sydney grid Mathew.Cut the bollocks about not getting a free go.I'd be lucky to crack 3 similar type posts of yours in other codes' threads. There is a world of a difference between free speech ,than ill informed vitriol, lacking factual material.The fact you are still carrying on here with a huge chip on your shoulders ,is indicative of the freedom of expression you and I have been given on this site. Not one off your' ' contributions" has been factual, hearsay,generalisations,SFA research, and putting words and descriptions into other peoples' mouths.You have accused me of exaggeration, and not proved it once.Intestinal fortitude is not in your DNA that being the case. Of course it's personal when I get accused of either lying or switching the truth. Sorry I don't sit back ,I react accordingly.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Glad your responded Mathew,you are so kind to provide me a platform to spell out a few facts,not lies or exaggerations, as you pretend I do. Firstly re South Africa<I suggest you check on the position re SASCOC and rugby league in that country.You do the research.It may enlighten you, though I doubt it. The Sth African Rugby League is a self funded non profit organisation ,one that relies solely on grants and sponsors(SASCOC may also throw light into that factor). However the Australian Govt (with your taxes Mathew thank you) has awarded the SARL a grant under the DAP(Direct Aid Program) similar to the AFL one earlier. This funding is used to help grow the game in the schools and unis. This is also apart from the RLIF securing 3 rd tier approval toward Commonwealth Games acceptance ,again due to the development and growth in Commonwealth Countries which includes Sth african development.. Further :- Sth African Rugby League has been invited to participate in the 2018 Commonwealth Games _Festival for rugby league, hosted in Australia. The players will be limited to u23 and it will be a 9s concept The South Africans have already set up their management team for the tour, and will be looking through their rl clubs and unis for player selections.Venues yet to be finalised Yes one admits funding is extremely hard to access in Sth Africa for a fledgling sport such as rugby league,but as indicated above progress is being made, and will be made further when SASCOC opens their eyes. Now I want you to spell out where i lied or exaggerated in this post.I also would like to take this opportunity on behalf of RL Internationalists,for giving me the opportunity to provide this info.Free of charge also. Thus in Sth Africa people of different colours and creeds are playing rl,surely you don't object.Rugby league has recognised there are cultural differences in South Africa and are embracing it.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Where did we mention player numbers either? The presence of a code internationally revolves around countries with semi pro and pro clubs and comps.Of course this is something which you find almost unsettling. Probably league would be ahead on semi pro and pro.Not probably mate ,a fact. Your last line is BS,whilst league has problems in the UK,it is growing and being played in more countries than any time in ist history, and is continuing to add new ones. You surmise, guesswork and generalisations a common trait with some AFL fans and people like Matt here.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Mat your Assoc football must be pretty damn uninteresting for you,you've just about used up your long service leave here ,embarrassing yourself. If I was Kim Jon Un you would have been "eliminated" after your first shot here,and not waited til your 100th attempt at stupidity.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Mathew. I trust your comments as being as believable as those of a used car salesman. BTW you are confusing me .I'm not Mat Steele,I'm in fact Man of Steel or to use a colloquialism The Man from IRON bark. I've also played and watched those 3 sports mentioned, and there is grubbiness off and on the field at times.You are on another planet if you believe otherwise. Your comments are about as factual and as constructive as your contributions on this thread. Our friend Hinds comes form a state ,where the term "sweep it under the carpet originated".Our friend John Ellito can fill you in. I sincerely doubt you would know a rugby league personality if you tripped over him. Still waiting for your admission I have not lied or exaggerated rl position overseas.You are the so called master of info,provide evidence instead of being the class clown.
Mathew Stealer
Guest
Agent i dislike his papers and the crap thats written in them. I didnt say i dont watch foxtel. Your not trying to spin things around like Justin and Crosscoder do? You say i tell lies with nothing to be them up.. what the hell has Crosscoder bought to tge table that has backed up his argument?? His unhealthy obsessinon with International Rugby League? ?