If the NRL miss out on Donald Trump attending the Las Vegas season-opener, at least they can take heart knowing they already have Nathan Cleary and Nicho Hynes as their ambassadors.
“The NFL had one Tom Brady – we’ve got two Tom Bradys with Nathan and ‘Nicho’,” ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said referencing superstar quarterback Brady who won seven Super Bowls.
Hynes and Cleary posed for countless photos with well-wishers at Sydney airport on Thursday as Penrith and the Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers departed for the US.
The playmakers are among the most popular in the NRL, but the interest is set to follow them to the other side of the globe.
Hynes appeared on a New York radio program last weekend to promote the NRL in Vegas, and is expected to appear on US morning show KTLA. next week. He also helped promote the game last August on US NBC.
Nicho Hynes arrives at Sydney Airport on ThursdayCredit: Nick Moir
Penrith officials confirmed Cleary, the four-time premiership winner arguably rated the best player in the game, has received more than 40 media requests from journalists and TV crews from Australia, America, various outlets from the Pacific Islands, as well as England and even France.
The NRL had no shortage of headline names representing four heavyweight clubs last year, and know how vital Cleary and Hynes are to making the second edition of Vegas a success.
“You wouldn’t meet two nicer people than those two – they’re not only champion players, they are two great blokes,” V’landys said.
“You couldn’t ask for two better ambassadors than Nathan and Nicho. They are thoughtful, considerate and kind people.”
Nathan Cleary poses for a photo with a fan on Thursday.Credit: Nick Moir
V’landys appeared on breakfast TV in America last weekend, and invited President Donald Trump to witness his first-ever rugby league game. He told this masthead that the chance to have the most powerful man in America at Allegiant Stadium would be “priceless”, and how “there is no other person in America who could help generate awareness about rugby league than the president”.
While Trump’s team is yet to officially respond, V’landys said he had not given up hope.
The sight of Cleary being stopped by fans at the airport was nothing new to his teammates, and the off-field attention would not upset the No. 7’s on-field preparations.
“In my opinion he’s the best player in the game, and the way he interacts with fans, you can see why he’s so popular,” Panthers backrower Liam Martin said.
“It’s the same with Nicho. They’re both good blokes and both great for the game.”
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon applauded Hynes for the following he had built, and there was no fear of him being mentally spent by kick-off.
“It’s all part of the experience, those guys [including Cleary] have worked long and hard to get a fan base, and if they’ve got it, great. I suppose they have to keep earning it by making sure they’re playing well,” Fitzgibbon said.
Penrith meet Cronulla, while Canberra and the New Zealand Warriors clash in the other fixture.
