Konnichi-wah? 
NRL NRL Expansion
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snake77
🛡️
Plans for round 1 next year and various plans like Global Round will be in the news. We get it each year leading up to and after Vegas.
It would be good to get Vegas to the point it sells out and does well on U.S television. The selling out is probably more likely than the U.S TV ratings.
The Global Round seemed really ambitious. There was talk years ago having clubs sponsored by large Asian corporates to have a game over there. That never got off the ground as it was left to the clubs. I'd prefer a game at another strategically picked location instead of the Global Round that was floated last year. Could end up with multiple 1/4 filled stadiums.
Find somewhere that will be attractive as a tourist destination for Australasian fans and somewhere that may create local interest.
It would be good to get Vegas to the point it sells out and does well on U.S television. The selling out is probably more likely than the U.S TV ratings.
The Global Round seemed really ambitious. There was talk years ago having clubs sponsored by large Asian corporates to have a game over there. That never got off the ground as it was left to the clubs. I'd prefer a game at another strategically picked location instead of the Global Round that was floated last year. Could end up with multiple 1/4 filled stadiums.
Find somewhere that will be attractive as a tourist destination for Australasian fans and somewhere that may create local interest.
Japan: weak yen, favorable time zone, reasonably sized expat community, existing rugby infrastructure, I live there
Bold move but time will tell if it’s sustainable. Using Vegas as an example it’s travelling fans much more than breaking into the local market, and even then for most travelling fans it’s a once and done. If Vegas keeps cycling through teams you MIGHT get people going if they missed the first time but I don’t think a yearly trip is on the cards for most fans
The advice NFL star is giving to the NRL in order to crack the US market
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata has given some blunt advice to the NRL in its quest to crack the US sports market.
As a South Sydney Rabbitohs junior, Mailata's highlight packages showcasing his impressive size and strength landed him in the NFL's international pathways program.
The 2025 Super Bowl champion is still a big fan of the 13-man Australian code, and says NRL players are "the best athletes in the world".
Since 2024, the NRL has opted to take its Round 1 fixtures to Las Vegas in a bid to maximise its reach in the growing US sports betting market, signing a five-year deal to have the NRL fixed in Nevada.
It has seen large growth each year since 2024, with Super League and NRL fans flocking to Allegiant Stadium and making the most of the Las Vegas tourism.
With record ticket sales this year, there is a clear indication that there is a demand in the USA for the NRL to expand.
When speaking with Wide World of Sports, Mailata tuned in to the Las Vegas season opener, highlighting one downfall to the NRL's ambitions in the US.
"I was watching that game actually, and I was like, 'You know - they've got to let the boys play'," he said.
"They just 'gotta' let them play, man.
"So much officiating, it's hard. If they want to grow the game, especially for Americans or the new audience that they're trying to pursue, then they just got to let the boys play.
"I will say the game has evolved into a much faster sport now. But in a way, I couldn't keep up with that these days.
"I guess as the game evolves, you kind of got to play into that market of how you want to expand and the direction you want the game going.
"If it's heading into that college football kind of league, it's about player health and safety.
"That's probably why the officiating is so hard. It might be the smartest choice, honestly, if you think about it from a player health and safety aspect.
"And right now they think growing it internationally is probably the smartest move for them.
"I love the initiative that they're trying to do, grow the game. It's exactly what the NFL is doing."
ARL Chairman Peter V'landys is looking to globalise the franchise, and has publicly spoken about Miami, London, Tokyo and areas of the Middle East as potential areas of expansion.
Mailata was all praise of the elite athletes in the NRL, going as far as to say they have what it takes to compete in the NFL.
"Patty Carrigan could make a great tight end. He could probably also play linebacker if he knew how to backpedal. He can be a really good linebacker," he said.
"Payne Haas, he's a little bit of a tweener he's too small to play offensive line. So he'd probably play the D (defensive)-line.
"So you probably chuck him in, play him a 3-tech, maybe defensive end too, because he's so fast.
"I'll put it this way. He's not fat enough to play offensive line.
"Dave Fifita would also actually be a monster defensive player. He would be awesome.
"Tino - he's a dog, he's got a lot of size too. Put him as a tight end.
"I say football is harder, but NRL, rugby league, rugby union. It's more physical and more tough."
Mailata represented the Rabbitohs in the NYC (under-20s) competition in 2017, where he played 12 games and scored eight tries.
However, after only being offered a low-end contract at the end of that year, he declined, instead backing himself in the American football franchise.
He is now one of the highest-paid offensive tackles in the NFL, signed to a $100 million extension until the end of 2028.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata has given some blunt advice to the NRL in its quest to crack the US sports market.
As a South Sydney Rabbitohs junior, Mailata's highlight packages showcasing his impressive size and strength landed him in the NFL's international pathways program.
The 2025 Super Bowl champion is still a big fan of the 13-man Australian code, and says NRL players are "the best athletes in the world".
Since 2024, the NRL has opted to take its Round 1 fixtures to Las Vegas in a bid to maximise its reach in the growing US sports betting market, signing a five-year deal to have the NRL fixed in Nevada.
It has seen large growth each year since 2024, with Super League and NRL fans flocking to Allegiant Stadium and making the most of the Las Vegas tourism.
With record ticket sales this year, there is a clear indication that there is a demand in the USA for the NRL to expand.
When speaking with Wide World of Sports, Mailata tuned in to the Las Vegas season opener, highlighting one downfall to the NRL's ambitions in the US.
"I was watching that game actually, and I was like, 'You know - they've got to let the boys play'," he said.
"They just 'gotta' let them play, man.
"So much officiating, it's hard. If they want to grow the game, especially for Americans or the new audience that they're trying to pursue, then they just got to let the boys play.
"I will say the game has evolved into a much faster sport now. But in a way, I couldn't keep up with that these days.
"I guess as the game evolves, you kind of got to play into that market of how you want to expand and the direction you want the game going.
"If it's heading into that college football kind of league, it's about player health and safety.
"That's probably why the officiating is so hard. It might be the smartest choice, honestly, if you think about it from a player health and safety aspect.
"And right now they think growing it internationally is probably the smartest move for them.
"I love the initiative that they're trying to do, grow the game. It's exactly what the NFL is doing."
ARL Chairman Peter V'landys is looking to globalise the franchise, and has publicly spoken about Miami, London, Tokyo and areas of the Middle East as potential areas of expansion.
Mailata was all praise of the elite athletes in the NRL, going as far as to say they have what it takes to compete in the NFL.
"Patty Carrigan could make a great tight end. He could probably also play linebacker if he knew how to backpedal. He can be a really good linebacker," he said.
"Payne Haas, he's a little bit of a tweener he's too small to play offensive line. So he'd probably play the D (defensive)-line.
"So you probably chuck him in, play him a 3-tech, maybe defensive end too, because he's so fast.
"I'll put it this way. He's not fat enough to play offensive line.
"Dave Fifita would also actually be a monster defensive player. He would be awesome.
"Tino - he's a dog, he's got a lot of size too. Put him as a tight end.
"I say football is harder, but NRL, rugby league, rugby union. It's more physical and more tough."
Mailata represented the Rabbitohs in the NYC (under-20s) competition in 2017, where he played 12 games and scored eight tries.
However, after only being offered a low-end contract at the end of that year, he declined, instead backing himself in the American football franchise.
He is now one of the highest-paid offensive tackles in the NFL, signed to a $100 million extension until the end of 2028.
Abdo has been talking up NZ for a 2nd team in an expanded 20 team competition over the weekend.
Yeah with the current confirmed expansion teams there will be a stretch on player resources in the near future, whereas another club in NZ will provide a greater player pool resource for the whole NRL.
With failing super rugby competitions and a successful and popular Warriors the opportunity to grow the "game" (NRL) is becoming very ripe, could do with a better national competition to feed the club(s) development pathways but union already provides a great deal of fundamentals.
IMO there will be a 2nd club from NZ in 2030..
No schoolboy in NZ is gonna choose rugby over league these days:
* The minimum salary for an 18 year old signed to an NRL club is $98k
* 18 year old rugby development players get $20k
* NPC rookies get $25k (i.e. a $5k pay rise)
So an 18 year old signing with an NRL club gets almost 5 times as much money as if he signs with NZ rugby.
* The minimum salary for an 18 year old signed to an NRL club is $98k
* 18 year old rugby development players get $20k
* NPC rookies get $25k (i.e. a $5k pay rise)
So an 18 year old signing with an NRL club gets almost 5 times as much money as if he signs with NZ rugby.
Cces
🎯
Through choice I meant - they'd be dumb to as the salary discrepancy is huge at 18 and is growing accross the board.
that's top squad money though, maybe one school boy in the country would be offered that by the warriors, the rest wouldn't be any better off.
Until there is more job opportunities in the form of a second NZ team its not going amount to much, and that team will need someone a lot more persuasive than a cooker like Moffett to get things moving.
I don't find any enjoyment in NZ schools rugby preparing players for the Roosters and Raiders TBH.
I have zero interest in Union so the more league players the better for the game and for the Kiwis and the Warriors.
There are plenty to go around anyway.
No true mate - that's the minimum - theres no money in union in NZ anymore (the only players making comparable money to NRL players are all blacks who get top ups from the NZRU - and they are going broke
)Its not just the warriors mate - every NRL club has scouts at NZ schoolboy rugby these days as they know that rugby can't get close to what they are offering the best talent.
Bit sad if Union ddies in Australasia.
League is a bit isolated.
We could have our own world series like the yanks with their sports....
Cces
🎯
I think you're referencing the salary of a Development/Supplementary player, which clubs are allowed a maximum of 6 each. Not many 18 year old receive these. Luke Hanson (22), Jett Cleary (21), Jason Salalilo (21), Makaia Tafua (20) and Caelys-Paul Putoko (20) hold these at our club but Kalani Going previously had one as a 28 year old. Our Jersey Flegg team doesn't have a wage bill of 2 million bucks. Bishop Neal (17) is probably getting a good retainer but no one else is living the life of a pro athlete at 18 years oldNo true mate - that's the minimum - theres no money in union in NZ anymore (the only players making comparable money to NRL players are all blacks who get top ups from the NZRU - and they are going broke
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