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Anthony Albanese and Peter V\u2019landys inside the NRL chairman\u2019s suite at the first State of Origin game last year..<\/span><\/p>\n Fellow ARL commissioner and former Queensland premier Peter Beattie, who once attended a state dinner during his career in politics, said the board fully endorsed V\u2019landys\u2019 trip to Washington, DC. He confirmed the chairman\u2019s trip when asked about V\u2019landys\u2019 whereabouts.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a very rare opportunity that he has been afforded and it\u2019s great for rugby league,\u201d Beattie said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a networking opportunity from the gods. Anyone who is anyone will be there. There\u2019s no doubt Peter has the personality that gets him through the door, but it will open up even more doors for the game.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a sport we\u2019ve tried to break into the US before and failed. But we\u2019ve never tapped on the door of the biggest power players in the country that you need to be successful in the US market. Peter V\u2019landys is doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n The NRL plans to launch next year\u2019s Las Vegas double-header in the United States in a fortnight, finalising plans to send players from South Sydney, Sydney Roosters, Manly and Brisbane to help promote the games to be played at Allegiant Stadium on March 2.<\/p>\n Allegiant Stadium, where the game will be played in Las Vegas.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n V\u2019landys is with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo as part of a series of meetings to build the game in the United States. The code is planning to hold a launch in Las Vegas from November 7-10, with clubs contacted to send their star players abroad to promote the game.<\/p>\n \u201cPeter will go over there and help build the game, not only in Vegas, but in the United States,\u201d Beattie said.<\/p>\n \u201cOpening this door is an enormous opportunity for rugby league. He will get the opportunity to spend time with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss the potential of an 18th team in Papua New Guinea.\u201d<\/p>\n The Albanese government has reportedly offered up to $25 million annually to put a team into Papua New Guinea as a means of dealing with the continual geopolitical threat of China influencing the region.<\/p>\n V\u2019landys and the commission are expected to move ahead with plans to introduce an 18th team into the competition as early as 2026.<\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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