NRL USA Makes Headlines Downunder
9/9/2009



An American professional rugby league competition will be announced within weeks and they want NRL stars like Anthony Minichiello, Nathan Hindmarsh, Craig Fitzgibbon and Petero Civoniceva on board.

US officials are ready to offer NRL players the chance to finish their playing careers overseas on $130,000-a-season deals.

They also want Australian coaches to help educate locals in the intricacies of the game.

The competition, due to kick off next year, will have eight teams in eight cities, with a 14-week season leading up to a grand final on July 4, America's Independence Day.

Competition commissioner and former St George Dragons half-back David Niu hopes to have a television deal nailed down in coming weeks.

Veteran Bulldogs half-back Brett Kimmorley on Thursday threw his support behind any rugby league competition in the US.

"A lot of blokes would jump at the chance to play in America," Kimmorley said.

"England isn't as great as it was with the dollar coming down and I'd rather live in New York.

"It would be a great working holiday where you could travel the US."

Franchises are ready to be announced in Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Jacksonville and Boston, with two more to be named.

"This is something we will achieve.

"We are about one deal away from it coming off," Niu said.

"We want to build a comp and we might only have one chance here to develop a professional game.

"It would give players the chance to play league outside Europe.

"We would be looking at players towards the end of their careers, players who have maybe been internationals.

"They could help grow a new sport in a different country."

Niu believes attracting top-level coaches from Australia was crucial to rugby league's success in a foreign field.

"We want world-class coaches," Niu said.

"The players over here have tremendous raw talent but some of the skills are missing.

"But there are athletes everywhere."

Brian Lowe, from American Rugby News, believes rugby league would be a hit in the US and have more appeal than rugby.

"The fact of the matter is that while league possesses all the qualities the football fan craves, it's also a much faster game with fewer stoppages," Lowe said.

"Although those purists might not like to hear it, rugby union is way too stop-start, it's way too over-officiated, and it has become a kick-fest.

"Rugby league, on the other hand, offers end-to-end action, big hits, and for the most part is played at breakneck speed."