Why NRL fans are wrong to correct confused Americans over rugby and rugby league
The NRL has officially landed in Vegas but the Yanks are still confused over difference between the rugby codes.
Let them come for the rugby and stay for the rugby league - forever. That's the message from David Niu to NRL fans losing their minds over Americans' inability to differentiate between rugby and rugby league.
Social media and sports talkback radio in Australia lit up with complaints Fox Sports' NFL hosts and presenters continually referred to the upcoming NRL season opener in Las Vegas as "rugby", not rugby league, during a half-time promotion with Manly veteran Aaron Woods and Souths centre Campbell Graham. Some felt the players should have corrected the "mistake" during the live interview, while others suggested rugby league would be better off marketing itself as "the NRL" in the States to fall into line with the country's leading sporting codes.
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Niu, who played for St George in the early 90s before moving to the US and helping establish the country's national rugby league team, has a simple solution. He's given up correcting locals over their terminology because it's a no-win.
I reignite the campaign that pearl clutching over “it’s rugby LEAGUE not rugby” is a massive waste of time. Just embrace it, get the game out to new people & you can clarify down the track if absolutely necessary. https://t.co/iNOTXv5gP9
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) December 11, 2023
"It was too confusing and made no sense to lose the interest of prospective players or fans from the outset," Niu told Yahoo Sport Australia from his Philadelphia base. "We figured once they get a taste of it, they would make their own choice on what to call it from there.
"It's about grabbing their attention first and keeping it simple in your approach and then you can get into the nuances of the sport. To me the rugby instead of rugby league is a non-issue. In fact, I think it’s a positive. It creates more interest and more attention. Maybe they come for the rugby and stay for the rugby league - forever."
Great promo for “ Rugby” Wood tried to reinforce Rugby League but went whoosh over their heads. Even the scrimmage was more of an example of Rugby rolling maul or scrum. Good luck guys it will be lost.
— JOHN (@kerrabee) December 11, 2023
this is my craziest opinion but if league wants to truly expand globally it needs to knock the rugby out of its name
— Fred🇦🇺 (@FredRankin8) December 11, 2023
Will have to teach them to stop calling it ‘Rugby’ 😡
— Dean Hardman (@dhardmanturf) December 11, 2023
NRL breaking into the US market the right way says David Niu
Niu believes the NRL has adopted the right approach by highlighting the physical nature of the code to American audiences. Woods and Graham made several references to big hits being a major part of rugby league's attraction.
"Whatever way you want to phrase it or the terminology you want to use - bashing on smashing them - I think it works," Niu said. "Football without pads is the way to go. I'm excited about the Vegas event. I think it's a great move. It sure has got people talking about the footy over here and it’s only December." NRL officials claim close to 20,000 tickets have been sold for the historic double header on March 2, which sees Manly take on Souths before the Roosters line-up against Brisbane at the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium.
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