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Here’s the top 8 subjects to address in no particular order:
1. No Helmets/No Pads = Safer Tackling
With reckless and darn-right bad tackling in American football, where players lead with their heads and try to body-check players to the ground, here’s a tackle sport with no pads or helmets, where leading with your head is simply not an option. Form tackling is key, and high tackles to shoulder-checks are penalized. The marketing department for Vegas has gone with the “No Helmets, No Pads, No Fear.” slogan to appeal to Americans’ love of brutality, but I’m not certain that is the correct path to go as it seems like a shot at the NFL for being too soft.
2. Don’t Insult American Football.
It’s a bad idea to say rugby league is better than American football. If the NRL positioned their sport next to soccer, I believe they would have more success. Here’s an example. “Unlike soccer, rugby league players pretend they aren’t hurt for 80 minutes.” Americans would respond better to something like that, unless they play soccer, which I’m sure will lead to them rolling around in the grass crying foul.
3. Cultural Similarities
The NRL and the NFL have some of the same team names, such as the Broncos, Raiders, Titans, Cowboys, Dolphins, and Panthers. This could be good for fans to build allegiances off of. The playing fields are similar in length, and they both have upright goalposts. Other than that, everything is upside down and back to front as compared to American football. But, there are some parallels to point out.
4. Rules
Americans have never heard of the Rugby League, and it has some interesting rules. Everything you would do is opposite to what Yanks’ are used to. from passing backwards to drop-kicks, grounding the ball to score, 40-20’s, scrums, etc. The basic rules would have to be explained.
5. Gambling
One thing Australians and Americans have in common is sports betting. This is a major reason why the NRL is coming to Vegas to promote their brand of football. They stand to gain 200 million in revenue from gambling.
6. Context
Who’s who? Where’s Penrith? These questions will pop up, and the NRL should give some context to where these clubs are located and who these players are in their respective fields. Americans wouldn’t know who Nathan Cleary is, but if you explain that he’s on his way to being the Michael Jordan or Tom Brady of the league, they would understand. Rugby League was originally only in Sydney’s western suburbs for decades. The league has since expanded, adding four teams in Queensland, one in Victoria, and another in New Zealand. A map of team locations would be great for geographical context.
7. Slang
Australia has some fun slang and jargon that Americans wouldn’t understand. Terms used during the game would have to be explained to the average Yank. What exactly is a “knock-on or a try”? Aussie commentary is entertaining in itself. Since the action rarely stops, there’s a lot of slang being flung around, and if you understand it, it makes viewing that much more entertaining. Slang training would have to be considered.
8. What’s The Difference Between Rugby League and Rugby Union?
Americans generally don’t know the rules or differences between the two sports and think they are one in the same. Rugby Union evolved into League over 100 years ago, so players could now be compensated. Australia changed some rules and sped up the game play, resulting in a much more entertaining game to watch. They nicknamed the new sport ‘Footy’, and union is simply called ‘Rugby’. Rugby is not popular in Australia; footy is.
It’s been over 30 years since rugby league has played a game in America and it’s been a long time coming. Australia has a great sports culture that is primed to be showcased under the bright lights of Vegas. Let the games begin!
Get your tickets now: https://www.nrl.com/tickets/vegas/
What do you think the NRL should do to help market itself overseas?
Greg Mattson's Blog 