The promoter behind the New York Test has revealed his plans to stage the Australia-Tonga game as part of a double header that will be beamed live on American television.
Ricky Wilby, the man behind the bid to introduce a New York franchise into the Super League, has emerged as the man behind the latest attempt to stage a league international in the United States.
Pulling power: Tongan star Jason Taumalolo is one of the big drawcards for the proposed New York Test.
Photo: NRL Photos
The Australia-Tonga game is slated to be held at the 25,000-seater Red Bull Arena, but its unlikely it will be a stand-alone event. Wilby is deep in discussions for the American national team to play as a curtain-raiser, with Ireland the preferred opponent. Italy is also considered a potential option to take on the Hawks on October 20 in what would be an historic double-header on American soil.
In his first interview on the Test initiative, Wilby has vowed to fully underwrite the event in the belief it will be a huge success.
"You see how many hundreds of thousands of fans go each week to watch American Football, basketball and ice hockey. Rugby league is effectively all of those sports rolled into one," Wilby told Fairfax Media.
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"[League] has the different elements of what Americans enjoy in those sports so much.
"If we get the games finalised then you have the stars like Jason Taumalolo and the likes that that would come in and really shake up the place.
"If American fans want a full-on, high-octane sport to watch through the summer months – which is our off-season – we are that alternative.
"We have proven that we are able to underwrite everything. Were very confident that if we dont get a sellout, wed get very close.
"Were pretty confident that well be able to get into the black."
The New York bid comes just weeks after England beat New Zealand in a landmark Test in Denver. The promoters of the Denver game brokered a deal that beamed that match live across the States via CBS, exposing league to a new audience. Wilby is confident he can also broker a deal to show the game live across the Americas.
"Absolutely, thats the key, to get that live coverage," he said.
"Weve spoken to CBS, weve spoken to Fox Sports in the US as well.
"The New York Red Bulls games played in the stadium are shown on MSG Go, its a channel across the States on cable thats affiliated to Madison Square Garden.
"They already have a good working relationship with the stadium itself."
The clubs have expressed frustrations that the NRL hasnt consulted them about the proposed match, although they neednt be concerned about the treatment their star players will receive in New York.
"Weve got some good flight partners, so the players will be flying business class," Wilby said.
"They will be staying in some of the best hotels in Manhattan, which would be an experience as well."
Wilby said tickets would be competitively priced – "starting at $25 to $30" – to ensure a big turnout in what is already a saturated sporting market. The Yorkshire-based entrepreneur said plans were well advanced to have the American national team play the curtain-raiser.
"If we can make this one a double-header we could potentially host double-header internationals every October," he said.
"We have spoken to the guys at the US Rugby League, the coach and a couple of administrators and they are really keen."
Wilby, a long-time official with French rugby league outfit Catalans, is also hoping that a New York franchise will join the Super League or the Championship by 2020.
"Weve garnered support from the local mayors office, from multinational companies that have provided statements of intent to be part of the New York bid," he said.
"These companies wouldnt be interested in rugby league if not for the name New York, which is a positive for us.
"Weve also got some branded hotels keen to work with us moving forward."
