How the NRL is giving rugby union a free hit in America with Las Vegas venture
James Hilterbrand believes NRL's foray into the US market will inadvertently help rugby union.
A former American rugby captain based in Australia reckons the NRL's foray into the US is a smart move – but will inadvertently give union a free hit. James Hilterbrand was born in Adelaide but played 25 Tests for the American Eagles and was part of their 2019 World Cup squad, qualifying through his Oregon-born father.
He led them for one Test and has played in America's domestic competition, Major League Rugby, with the San Diego Legion and New England Free Jacks. Hilterbrand believes Americans' inability to differentiate between the two rugby codes is the NRL's biggest challenge in attempting to make in-roads and garner serious support during its five-year Las Vegas blitz.
SHOCK: Reece Walsh teases potential code switch amid Broncos development
SAD: New details emerge about Hugh Jackman's plans for Las Vegas games
He supports suggestions league should market itself as "NRL" to distinguish it as a different sport. Asked if the average Yank knew both rugby league and rugby union existed, Hilterbrand told Yahoo Sport Australia: "Hell, no. They don’t know there are two types of rugby.
"To them it is one of the same. Union will benefit off the NRL being there because locals will see it as rugby and call it that. There's a (Rugby) World Cup in the States in a few years and this, if anything, will help create awareness for that.
"If they differentiate it by calling it NRL, that might help league. I can't see Americans separating the two otherwise. I've tried to explain the differences many times and they look as confused as a homeless man under house arrest, so I've given up."
James Hilterbrand believes NRL will struggle to succeed in America
But that doesn't mean Hilterbrand, who plays club rugby for Manly in the NSW Shute Shield, is a critic of the Las Vegas experiment. "Good on the NRL for taking games over there," Hilterbrand said.
"League has a better chance of winning over new fans than rugby in that it's similar to NFL with the downs/tackle count. And it doesn’t need to have much of an impact to be worthwhile. Grab 1-2% of the population and that’s a shitload of people.
"But it's a huge challenge. Rugby has been around a long time in America but it struggles for major exposure just due to the sheer volume of other big-time sports." Ticket sales for the March 3 (AEDT) double header at Allegiant Stadium – Manly will play South Sydney before the Roosters take on Brisbane - have been steady. With ticket prices as low as $US19, NRL officials are hopeful of at least half filling the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium.
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.