UNITED STATE OF EXCITEMENT OVER A FOREIGN PUSH
RUGBY League is Coming To America. And it’s not for just a one-off Test match.
The NRL’s long-held plan to launch its season proper in the US is on the verge of becoming a reality – as soon as this time next year.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has confirmed that planning and talks with TV broadcasters Fox Sports and Nine are in full swing to launch a historymaking opening-round clash in 2019.
Greenberg said the code’s long-term strategy to grow the game in North America ahead of the 2025 World Cup was the motivation to host an NRL match on US soil.
A proposed one-off mid-year Test match between England and New Zealand in Denver this year is part of that strategy.
“Next year we could have teams playing for points in America,’’ Greenberg said. “We’re actively working on that now for 2019 and 2020.
“What the clubs are looking for and why they are finding this hard to deal with, and why we won’t come out and announce a single game, is that they are looking for a broader plan.
“They’re looking for the strategy of what international football looks like and for us how do we plug into that, helping with some domestic games from our competition.
“I think a broader plan is what people are looking for.
“If we’re going to grow the game, what does that look like ... over a longer period of time. We’re in discussions about that now.’’