‘They didn’t do their homework’

• NRL double header in the US will kick off 2024 season 
• League has been busy promoting the games in the states 
• Made one crucial mistake that ticked off local league body 

NRL officials had the best of intentions, but have been left with egg on their faces after sending a Sydney Roosters star to a rugby union club to promote the game in the United States.

The NRL is currently on a charm offensive in the US, trying to drum up attention and ticket sales for the history-making season opener in Las Vegas next year. 

Manly will do battle with the South Sydney Rabbitohs while old foes Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters will also clash in the double header at Allegiant Stadium.

During the NRL off-season, the code has sent stars Aaron Woods, Campbell Graham, Spencer Leniu and Billy Walters to the states to promote the season-opening clashes.

That has included everything from television appearances, to trying to whip up support at NFL games and also trying to reach the hearts and minds of the youngest players.

Which is why the NRL sent Leniu to a high school in Utah, America’s most rugby league mad state, to conduct a clinic with youngsters.

The problem? The high school was the home of the Brighton Bengals rugby union club, giving a free hit to the rival code and leaving the Utah Rugby League Association [URLA] fuming.  

 ‘As the pioneers of rugby league here in Utah, we are very disappointed that the NRL missed the huge opportunity to connect and help grow the sport here in Utah,’ George Tupou from the URLA told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘We are happy that they came and encouraged kids by holding a clinic, but that was for a rugby union club.

‘As an entity that has put forth expressions of interest for 13 teams for the upcoming Vegas Nines tournament, more than any state across the nation, and has junior teams named after the NRL teams these specific players hail from, it is absolutely ludicrous they didn’t do their homework to realise they should have been holding a clinic with the correct sport fostering the growth there.’

The kids didn’t seem to mind, happy to crash into a tackle pad held by Leniu who was seriously impressed by their strength and enthusiasm.

And…