Rugby league titan Peter V’landys has disclosed that his team has been engaging in discussions “back and forth” with Donald Trump’s office since the former president’s ambitious bid to attend this year’s NRL matches in Las Vegas was announced.
As chairman of the ARL Commission, V’landys stated that if Trump were to appear at Allegiant Stadium to witness the two games, it would signify “the most significant advancement for rugby league to date.”
9News caught up with V’landys at Sydney Airport on Tuesday morning, inquiring about his bold initiative, which has seen him actively promoting rugby league and inviting Trump to the matches during breakfast television segments in the US.
“We’ve maintained contact with his office, exchanging emails consistently,” V’landys noted before departing for Las Vegas.
“It was indeed a long shot, but I understand he has an affinity for contact sports — and rugby league is the epitome of that,” he added. “If he seeks entertainment, he should definitely come to the game.”
Peter V’landys speaks to 9News at Sydney Airport before jetting off to Las Vegas. Nine
UFC chief Dana White has been invited to sound the iconic viking horn for the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium ahead of their match against the Warriors, but he won’t be available during the NRL event.
When asked if he had reached out to White, a long-time associate of Trump, to assist in persuading the president to attend the games, V’landys responded, “We’ve sought help from everyone, rest assured.”
“I am not one to quit easily.”
V’landys reiterated that Trump’s presence would represent the most substantial advancement in the sport, stressing the immense exposure rugby league would gain from the event.
In another development, former NRL star Josh Morris has dismissed the media frenzy surrounding the Raiders’ altercation as “a storm in a teacup.”
“Such incidents are quite common within football clubs,” Morris commented on 2GB’s Wide World of Sports. “I believe Ricky [Stuart, Canberra’s coach] has managed it effectively. He has resolved the issue, [Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies] are set to play, they’ve addressed it with the media, and can now concentrate on their performance.”
“I don’t think it’ll serve as much of a distraction; in fact, it could strengthen the team.”
A captivating rugby league tale emerged when Nine’s Danny Weidler and Michael Chammas uncovered an incident involving Young and Smithies. The saga involved alcohol, wrestling that escalated into brawling, and even a hotel lift incident where the emergency button was accidentally pressed. A blow-up baseball bat purchased on the Las Vegas Strip was later misidentified by security as a weapon, resulting in a candid apology in front of an eager Australian press corps — a story that seemed almost too ridiculous to believe.
“The inflatable baseball bat highlights the absurdity of the incident,” Morris chuckled. “It’s unfortunate they interrupted the lift by hitting the emergency exit. Had that not occurred, we might never have discovered this!”
Fortunately for Young and Smithies, they were not expelled from Las Vegas. They were subsequently named to face the Warriors in the game on Saturday afternoon local time, which, if V’landys’ aspirations materialise, they will do in the presence of Trump.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
