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

from rules:

6 downs to score or turn over ball

80 minutes - 4 x 20 min quarters

not far from regular rules (such a simple game). i can see those breaks being phased out over time.

When explaining the game to Americans I always explain the tackles as basically being 6-and-goal when you gain possession. It makes sense of them to describe the summary of the rules in a way people will instantly understand.

Do not really have a problem with the idea of having quarters either. We do the same when the game is played in hot weather anyway. Something they will likely be doing as they will be playing it during summer with teams almost certainly in Florida and on the east coast.

Michael.

has eeengland or great britain played the usa yet

Not that I remember Fred. Tends to be Pacific based teams they play, Japan, Samoa, Jamaica maybe. They played in Widnes last year n got battered by Samoa as a qualifier to the world cup. Was men against boys really

yes...

england played the usa,in florida, prior to the 2000 world cup iirc

this is russel crow's video for the yanks . on that video site'' rugby league 101 (re-edit) ''

It's a pretty cool vid, doubt any americans have seen it though

this is from the yank nrl site - - 1923 Game established by The Rugby school, Warwickshire, England 1895: "Great Schism" Working class northern players clash with southern counterparts over payment for 'broken time' - compensation for lost work. The "Great Schism" leads to formation of 22 club Northern Union, which in 1922 becomes Rugby League. www.nrlus.com/history.html

this is from the yank nrl site - - 1923 Game established by The Rugby school, Warwickshire, England 1895: "Great Schism" Working class northern players clash with southern counterparts over payment for 'broken time' - compensation for lost work. The "Great Schism" leads to formation of 22 club Northern Union, which in 1922 becomes Rugby League. www.nrlus.com/history.html

Yes, a signed 5 year deal with NBC.

USA 42 - GB 0

It's been on the card ages, they've been actively recruiting amateur rugby league players from over here for the past year.

the re-edit is the one i did......well i added the music to it