Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.<\/p>\n
No pads. No helmets. No fear.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the tagline for the NRL advertisement being used to promote the game in the United States.<\/p>\n
This is the first look at how rugby league is being sold to Americans, a 30-second package of big hits and spectacular tries. The footage begins in slow motion when Penrith prop Moses Leota carries the ball forward, only to have his momentum halted in a spectacular collision with the Manly defence.<\/p>\n
That sets the tone for the clip, which highlights the physicality of the NRL. Dale Finucane and Cameron Munster are among half-a-dozen stars also involved in spectacular hits, before the focus turns to try-scoring feats. A series of spectacular put-downs, including those from Dom Young and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, as commentator Andrew Voss gasps \u201cThat is from another universe!\u201d<\/p>\n
Other stars who make an appearance in the advertisement include Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell, Nicho Hynes and Cody Walker.<\/p>\n
The ad, which is now being shown on America\u2019s Fox network, ends with the words \u201cThis is rugby league.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Some of the posters promoting the Denver Test in 2018.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Adrian Proszenko<\/cite><\/p>\n Manly will take on South Sydney in the opening match at Allegiant Stadium on March 3 [AEDT], as part of a historic double-header which also includes a clash between the Roosters and Broncos.<\/p>\n The NRL has already sold 15,000 tickets to the game and is hopeful of packing out the 65,000-seat stadium known as \u201cThe Death Star.\u201d<\/p>\n The matches mark the first time that competition games, save for those played in New Zealand, have ever been staged outside of Australia.<\/p>\n The game has a chequered history in America. The last foray was the ill-fated Denver Test match between New Zealand and England, in which the promoter suffered a financial loss, resulting in the players initially being out of pocket.<\/p>\n On that occasion, the physical nature of the game was again a key plank of the marketing campaign, with \u201cBig hits. No pads\u201d among the slogans.<\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary.<\/i><\/b> Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
From our partners<\/h3>\n