In Las Vegas, Olympic rugby sevens athlete Adam Channel is among 50 American competitors participating in the NRL Combine over the next two days, aiming to secure a contract with an NRL or NRLW club. The top two finalists, one male and one female, will have the opportunity to train with a professional club as a stepping stone towards a potential contract.
Channel, 28, originally from Long Beach, California, expressed his excitement about the event, stating, “This is massive for me.” Although his background doesn’t include rugby league, he has always been intrigued by its speed and physical nature. Recently, he had a training session with the Cronulla Sharks, where he received valuable advice and was relieved to avoid any serious physical contact.
While most participants come from American football, Channel brings a wealth of rugby experience, having played since childhood due to his Kiwi heritage. His rugby journey led him to compete at the Paris Olympics, and he has already embraced Australia, competing in sevens tournaments held in Sydney and Perth.
Channel conveyed his desire to play rugby league in Australia, commenting, “From what I can tell it’s a great country,” and he hopes to live and thrive in that environment. He also speculated on whether the NRL could make inroads with American sports fans, stating, “This is the biggest sporting market in the world, so the competition is fierce.” He believes the physicality of rugby league, characterized by intense gameplay without protective gear, could resonate well with American audiences if properly showcased on television: “I think they would love it.”