Peter V’landys, the chairman of the ARL Commission, has disclosed that discussions have been ongoing with Donald Trump’s office regarding a potential appearance by the former US president at this year’s NRL games in Las Vegas. V’landys expressed that Trump’s attendance would signify a monumental achievement for rugby league, as he believes it could significantly elevate the sport’s profile in the United States.
In an interview at Sydney Airport, V’landys shared details of these conversations, mentioning they had been emailing back and forth in hopes of persuading Trump to attend the matches. He noted that Trump, known for his love of physical sports, would find rugby league to be an exciting spectacle. V’landys even took to American breakfast television to promote the games and extend his invitation personally.
As V’landys prepared for his trip to Las Vegas, he acknowledged that while the efforts to persuade Trump might appear ambitious, he was persistent in his endeavours and willing to seek assistance from prominent figures, including UFC president Dana White. Although White has been invited to participate in the event, he will not be available during the NRL games, leading V’landys to remark on the widespread outreach they are pursuing.
Should Trump attend, V’landys believes it would greatly enhance rugby league’s exposure and credibility, potentially attracting a new audience in the US. Meanwhile, the media is abuzz with stories of off-field drama involving the Canberra Raiders, as ex-NRL player Josh Morris described the ongoing situation as an overblown “storm in a teacup”. He pointed out the importance of focusing on football amidst the distractions, as the team gears up for their upcoming match against the Warriors.
The Raiders have recently been in the spotlight for an incident involving players Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies, which included a farcical story of drunken behaviour and miscommunication with security involving an inflatable baseball bat. Morris light-heartedly commented on the absurdity of the situation, recognising how easily it could have been buried if not for an unintended emergency alarm activation in a hotel lift.
Despite the media attention, Young and Smithies were not sent home from Las Vegas and are set to participate in the forthcoming match, possibly with Trump in attendance if V’landys’ aspirations come to fruition.