Dogzof95
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The gift that keeps giving - NRLOLLLLLL…
The NRL has produced another “hold my beer” blunder as it tries to promote rugby league in the United States.
One of the great promotional, community-minded initiatives in all of sport is for professional athletes to attend junior clubs or high schools to speak to youngsters.
Typically, the athletes will visit either a school or club heavily involved in their chosen pursuit or perhaps a school of impressionable youngsters that might be convinced that sport could also suit them.
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__Well, that is the idea, unless of course you are the National Rugby League.
As most Aussie sports fans are aware, the NRL is attempting a major push into the hugely fickle and partisan American market through its ambitious round one double-header in Las Vegas in March.
Naturally the NRL is trying to spread the word and raise awareness of the 13-man code in a country dominated by football helmets, baseball gloves and high-top sneakers.
The ideal situation is to demonstrate your sport is a well-oiled machine and well worth forking out some hard-earned greenbacks to get involved.
Alternatively, blunders are potentially fatal and, sadly, seem to be plaguing the NRL.
First was the cringe-worthy halftime effort of an NFL game in Vegas when every one of the Fox Sports US commentators repeatedly called the sport “rugby”.
It’s a common enough mistake but it’s still an error and someone, anyone, should have stepped in at least once to correct it, even in a good natured way.
But to that small broadcasting mistake over rugby union, the NRL loudly stated “hold my beer”.
Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu was in Utah late last week to promote the sport and the upcoming Vegas fixtures.
The only problem? He was sent to one of the biggest rugby union clubs in Salt Lake City, Brighton Rugby Club.
Leniu seemed to be aware of the fact when he shot a quick promo video outside Brighton High School’s main building in a social post carried by the NRL and Sydney Roosters accounts.
“I’m here to check out one of the biggest rugby schools in Salt Lake City, Brighton High School,” he said.
“So yeah, let’s go check it out.”
A series of highlights are then shown of the boys taking part in drills, predominantly rugby mauling drills.
At the end Leniu is seen addressing the group, stating he has some gifts and some tickets, presumably to the Las Vegas double-header for the students.
It had a predictable response on Instagram.
“What in the rugby union,” was one response.
“Looks loik rugba union lol,” wrote another, we assume using their best Peter V’landys impression.
“Promoting union,” wrote another with a facepalm emoji.
“A union school bahahhaha this is embarrassing,” wrote a fourth.
A profile that calls itself Rugby Bloke also wrote: “Thanks for promoting rugby fellas.”
But a local rugby league association took the error far more seriously.
“We are really disappointed with the NRL and the huge missed opportunity here in Utah,” the Utah Rugby League Association wrote on X on Monday.
“We are thinking of withdrawing our 13 teams that we submitted expression of interest to attend the NRL Vegas 9s tournament in March.”
They also wrote a scathing comment on a post from Channel 9 about Leniu’s rugby club visit.
“Disappointed with the NRL coming to Salt Lake City and running a clinic with a rugby union club,” it read.
“Interested to know what he taught them. We have four youth teams here in SLC that are playing in our winter 9s tournament right now, but NRL rather go to a union club and not the youth rugby league teams!
“Wow none of our community will come and support your games in Vegas! Way to grow the game NRL...”
News.com.au has reached out to the NRL for comment.
Coincidentally, the motto of Brighton High School in Salt Lake City is: “We choose to be better today than we were yesterday.”
It’s a mantra the NRL could do much worse than adopt.
The NRL has produced another “hold my beer” blunder as it tries to promote rugby league in the United States.
One of the great promotional, community-minded initiatives in all of sport is for professional athletes to attend junior clubs or high schools to speak to youngsters.
Typically, the athletes will visit either a school or club heavily involved in their chosen pursuit or perhaps a school of impressionable youngsters that might be convinced that sport could also suit them.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today>
__Well, that is the idea, unless of course you are the National Rugby League.
As most Aussie sports fans are aware, the NRL is attempting a major push into the hugely fickle and partisan American market through its ambitious round one double-header in Las Vegas in March.
Naturally the NRL is trying to spread the word and raise awareness of the 13-man code in a country dominated by football helmets, baseball gloves and high-top sneakers.
The ideal situation is to demonstrate your sport is a well-oiled machine and well worth forking out some hard-earned greenbacks to get involved.
Alternatively, blunders are potentially fatal and, sadly, seem to be plaguing the NRL.
First was the cringe-worthy halftime effort of an NFL game in Vegas when every one of the Fox Sports US commentators repeatedly called the sport “rugby”.
It’s a common enough mistake but it’s still an error and someone, anyone, should have stepped in at least once to correct it, even in a good natured way.
But to that small broadcasting mistake over rugby union, the NRL loudly stated “hold my beer”.
Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu was in Utah late last week to promote the sport and the upcoming Vegas fixtures.
The only problem? He was sent to one of the biggest rugby union clubs in Salt Lake City, Brighton Rugby Club.
Leniu seemed to be aware of the fact when he shot a quick promo video outside Brighton High School’s main building in a social post carried by the NRL and Sydney Roosters accounts.
“I’m here to check out one of the biggest rugby schools in Salt Lake City, Brighton High School,” he said.
“So yeah, let’s go check it out.”
A series of highlights are then shown of the boys taking part in drills, predominantly rugby mauling drills.
At the end Leniu is seen addressing the group, stating he has some gifts and some tickets, presumably to the Las Vegas double-header for the students.
It had a predictable response on Instagram.
“What in the rugby union,” was one response.
“Looks loik rugba union lol,” wrote another, we assume using their best Peter V’landys impression.
“Promoting union,” wrote another with a facepalm emoji.
“A union school bahahhaha this is embarrassing,” wrote a fourth.
A profile that calls itself Rugby Bloke also wrote: “Thanks for promoting rugby fellas.”
But a local rugby league association took the error far more seriously.
“We are really disappointed with the NRL and the huge missed opportunity here in Utah,” the Utah Rugby League Association wrote on X on Monday.
“We are thinking of withdrawing our 13 teams that we submitted expression of interest to attend the NRL Vegas 9s tournament in March.”
They also wrote a scathing comment on a post from Channel 9 about Leniu’s rugby club visit.
“Disappointed with the NRL coming to Salt Lake City and running a clinic with a rugby union club,” it read.
“Interested to know what he taught them. We have four youth teams here in SLC that are playing in our winter 9s tournament right now, but NRL rather go to a union club and not the youth rugby league teams!
“Wow none of our community will come and support your games in Vegas! Way to grow the game NRL...”
News.com.au has reached out to the NRL for comment.
Coincidentally, the motto of Brighton High School in Salt Lake City is: “We choose to be better today than we were yesterday.”
It’s a mantra the NRL could do much worse than adopt.
