National Rugby League to kick off season on American soil for first time in Las Vegas on FS1

Members of several New York-area rugby teams share a glimpse of the sport and comment on its growth in America.

Aussies are bringing rugby to the states. No pads? No helmets? No problem.

The National Rugby League (NRL) will kick off its season, Saturday, for the first time on American soil, live on FS1 and the FOX Sports app. 

The wildly popular NRL bills itself as one of the most-watched programs on Australian television, attracting more than 100 million viewers each year. A large American audience will now have a chance to witness the fast-paced sport when Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas hosts the historic season-opening double header. 

Ahead of the double header, ‘FOX & Friends Weekend’ spoke to members of four New York-area rugby clubs about the sport, so they could give Americans unfamiliar with it a taste of what to expect.

NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE BREAKS GROUND IN US WITH OPENING WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS: HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Josh Aloiai of the Sea Eagles is tackled during the round 19 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on July 22, 2022, in Sydney, Australia.  (Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

FOX & Friends Weekend’ co-host Pete Hegseth asked the men – a mix of team captains and coaches from the New York, Suffolk, Rockaway, and Long Island rugby clubs – what new audiences should look for if they're tuning into the sport for the first time on FS1. "It looks like sports we're familiar with, but not exactly the same," the co-host commented. 

"I wanna say, you're going to be looking for nonstop action, hard hits and a good time," team captain Wesley Bybel said. 

Co-host Will Cain then asked the Long Island club coach, "Max, what attracts