‘Good for game’: North Queensland pair backs NRL’S Las Vegas venture
The Dallas Cowboys may be America’s team for now but Valentine Holmes and Tom Dearden have thrown their full support behind introducing the Cowboys of North Queensland to a US audience in Las Vegas.
Former NFL hopeful Holmes has backed the NRL’S vision to launch the 2024 season with a Sin City doubleheader in a bid to grow the game’s global footprint.
The Cowboys and Kangaroos centre spent 12 months in the United States chasing his NFL dream with the New York Jets in 2019, where he recalled being bombarded with interest from gridiron stars about the game down under played without helmets and pads.
If the logistic challenges around travel can be ironed out Holmes is on board to put his US profile to good use.
“Yeah, it’s a bit of a trek to get there to play one game but … I’m all for it,” Holmes said.
“If it’s about expanding the game and growing it over in America to get more eyes watching it I think it’s going to be good for the game.
“When I was there they asked a lot of questions about it. They only know rugby union and the All Blacks so they thought league was the same sport. They think we’re crazy that we don’t wear a helmet and pads so I’m sure if we took games over they’d be pretty fascinated watching how we run into and tackle each other without protection. I’m sure they’d get into it.”
Holmes’ Origin teammate Tom Dearden also voiced his support for an American tour and volunteered the Cowboys to lead the charge.
“I think it would be an awesome experience for the players to go over there and play,” he said.
“I don’t know if the people in Las Vegas know what rugby league is but maybe we can introduce it to them over there.”