This weekend in Las Vegas, it’s not Nathan Cleary or Nicho Hynes who will attract the most American fans, but rather Warriors coach Andrew Webster, who has gathered a personal cheer squad all the way from the east coast of the USA.
Interestingly, Webster’s coaching journey started in the quaint town of Norwalk, Connecticut, a fact that often goes unnoticed.
“I quickly realised that making it as an NRL playmaker was unlikely,” Webster shared with Wide World of Sports.
Andrew Webster’s earlier coaching stints in the USA may prove invaluable. Getty
“So, I opted to travel and play the game while I could,” he continued.
“I ended up as a player-coach with the Connecticut Wildcats. At just 23, I’d gained plenty of insightful knowledge from some great coaches during my time in the NRL in Sydney.
“We made it to the grand final, and the entire experience was thrilling.
“Later on, I visited my brother in England and got involved in some rugby work there too.
“That sparked my passion for coaching, and returning to the USA holds immense significance for me.
“There are many faces I haven’t seen since I was here back in 2005—nearly two decades ago—and quite a few of them are travelling across the country for the game.
“It’ll be wonderful to catch up and share memories after the match.”
Having experienced rugby league at a grassroots level in the US, Webster firmly believes in the sport’s potential in the country.
“While they adore their NFL, what they crave is the spectacle of people without shoulder pads clashing with each other,” Webster explained.
“I recall watching a game last year when (Manly’s) Lachlan Croker suddenly appeared with blood on his face from a head collision.
“I reckon Americans thought, ‘wow, how tough is this sport?’
“We’ve grown up with that mentality; if you get hit, you just carry on. But for them, it’s a real novelty.”
The Warriors are set to kick off the NRL season against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
The match is scheduled to start at 11am for those on Australia’s eastern daylight time.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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