yes 6 teams

For now they can target gridiron players that don't make it, yes. But they will never be a force in the RL world if they continue to do this as the players will not have developed many of the skills needed to play RL and will most likely not have enough time to master them to as extent that they will become expert. They need to get people playing in schools to develop this earlier. That will obviously come with time, but the way people are talking it appears that they think they will be able to build a competitive team out of gridiron converts which in most likeliness will not be the case. They may be good athletes, but that doesn't mean they'll be good RL players.

True but the best RL players are great athletes. You may get a couple of good ones and it's the obvious place to start.

If a pro league happened would the union teams go pro too eventually to compete? Because any decent Union player's going to convert to league if they can make a bob or two

Added a bit in bold, which is the key point. Mix of physiologoical, psychological, technical and tactical aspects of an individual that contribute to being an expert athlete. They aren't the best RL players because they're physiologocally superior. They're the best because they are physiologically superior AS WELL AS the rest.


I wouldn't be suprised. I'm pretty suprised it hasn't happened already to be honest.

Any idea on the state of union over there? I haven't the foggiest what crowds/teams and whatnot. I heard it had a bit of a bad rep as college boys who refused to grow up and caused trouble. That's about it though.

That's almost certainly when they would play. Trying to run in the fall going head to head with the NFL and NCAA would be suicidal. The time of year they could generate interest is in the spring and summer, from March to August. If they're serious about getting TV interest they'd be targetting big cities since those are the major media markets.

It depends a lot on which players they recruit, and what positions they played in American football. All have good hand-eye coordination since they all grew up throwing and catching football. Defensive players can already tackle, they just need to learn the RL style of tackling. On the defensive side of the ball there are clear parallels between some positions, e.g. cornerback to wing, safety to fullback, etc. It's a case of working out what RL positions are the closest to the ones they've played before to shorten their learning curve.

Even some of the bigger ones might be surprising: last fall I was watching the Nebraska-Colorado game on TV, when Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh -- a 300-pounder -- returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown. I'd never have believed someone that big was capable of that if I hadn't seen it.

If they're starting as semi-pro, they should forget players from the "Big Six" conferences who are all accustomed to big crowds, big budgets and a spectacular atmosphere on game days and eyeing the NFL draft. They need to target those from lower-tier conference schools who are used to a more modest setup and are more of a longshot to get picked in the draft.

The USA has enough prime athletes to destroy the existing RL nations, England especially within a couple of years of professionalism.

Lets not forget that the USA national side was beating Australia at half time in their recent encounter, so it's not like they would have to progress that much to beat England.

USA 42 - GB 0

eh??

Sure, to make it to TV the sport needs ad breaks, we'll follow Association Football's approach to the problem.
I know people who were big Football" fans who went to an NFL match and hated it. Possibly it's more of a spectator and less of a tV sport, which again has parallels with Union and League in the UK.

i have been told by some''septic tanks''yanks. that they love watching the AFL on tv

It's reasonably enjoyable to watch on telly.
Could I watch it week in week out? not a chance.

Excellent new from across the atlantic lets hope this is the start of something big.

Some new info on www.nrlus.com Quote MISSION To bring Professional Rugby League to America VISION To provide the growing nationwide audience of rugby enthusiasts in America, both athlete and fan, with the highest quality, hard hitting and exciting team sports experience at an affordable price NRL 2010 8 Team owners with world class coaches 22 Man Fulltime Professional Rosters Spring/Summer Season 14 Week Regular Season 3 Week Playoff/Championship Series NRL MESSAGE The NRL will field teams comprised of the best rugby players in America, and from around the world. There are thousands of elite athletes looking to aspire to professional competition. The NRL will provide that opportunity. The NRL will be holding nationwide tryouts in selected cities throughout Summer/Fall 2009. Tryouts will be open to all athletes, both American and foreign. Locations and details will be announced soon. '"

Some new info on www.nrlus.com Quote MISSION To bring Professional Rugby League to America VISION To provide the growing nationwide audience of rugby enthusiasts in America, both athlete and fan, with the highest quality, hard hitting and exciting team sports experience at an affordable price NRL 2010 8 Team owners with world class coaches 22 Man Fulltime Professional Rosters Spring/Summer Season 14 Week Regular Season 3 Week Playoff/Championship Series NRL MESSAGE The NRL will field teams comprised of the best rugby players in America, and from around the world. There are thousands of elite athletes looking to aspire to professional competition. The NRL will provide that opportunity. The NRL will be holding nationwide tryouts in selected cities throughout Summer/Fall 2009. Tryouts will be open to all athletes, both American and foreign. Locations and details will be announced soon. '"

I can see it now -

"Freaking play the ball in the offensive ten, kick to corner, caught by wingman, TRAPPED IN THE END ZONE."

"It's a central stick kick, over to you Chad."

I can't wait.



If the yanks do put their mind to it though they will probably dominate. As they would most sports with the finance and numbers of youngsters they can throw at it.

coming from the man who's sig champions postive thinking over negativity

Do you also have a problem with the weird terms they use down-under, and which people over here seem to eager to lap up, too?

Michael.

The Aussie commentators are funny with it.

Yanks just shout because they think it makes it more exciting.

It has to be a positive if a country the size of the US are taking a greater interest. It was a tongue in cheek post. Don't take life too seriously fellas.

True but if the Americans are going to take to it they need their own terminology.
Funnily enough I remember hearing something on five live not too long ago about how much everyday language we take from american sports. I cant remember examples now but some of the things you use in everyday life, was weird.

A lot of people use it in business terminoligy. 'Step up to the plate', 'Ball park figure', 'Touch base' etc etc. I have also noticed, and commented on here, about how many more people say awesome than before. Even I have been guilty of this from time to time.

It does wind me up but if they want to talk like that it's up to them.

It will be interesting to see how the americans go about this. I just hope they keep it real rugby league and leave the frills because that's when americans spoil sports for me.

I wonder if a TV deal is in place?

word is they've been in talks with NBC....how true that is however is doubtful.


ESPN would be the perfect channel for them though...and ESPN heads the ABC sports division which is one of the major networks in the US..so if they look small,and more realistic, by getting NRLUS of either ESPN2 or ESPN enitally and then look to getting the play offs & grand final broadcast/simulcast on ESPN on ABC, a network channel...then that would be huge..

Wow, where have you been? Good to see you back anyway