Hollywood star Hugh Jackman ‘very keen’ to help promote historic NRL opener in Las Vegas alongside Russell Crowe

Hugh Jackman is reportedly ‘very keen to be involved’ with promoting the NRL’s historic season-opening double-header in Las Vegas in March next year.

Manly will clash with Souths before Brisbane take on the Roosters in Sin City in a groundbreaking start to next year’s draw.

Breaking into the USA’s crowded sports market will be tough, and Russell Crowe is already reportedly doing all he can to help the NRL’s mission.

On Sunday, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Crowe – the co-owner of Souths – recently had a face-to-face meeting with NRL executives about the matter.

Another source also backed up the claim saying that the Hollywood megastar was playing a ‘significant role’ in the groundbreaking move by the NRL.

Russell Crowe is taking an important role in the NRL’s drive to sell rugby league to the USA

Unfortunately, lifetime Manly fan Hugh Jackman had proved harder to lock down for the NRL, who couldn’t confirm if he would be also open to promoting the games.

However, Manly CEO Tony Mestrov has revealed  that he has been in contact with Jackman and he is confident the Wolverine star will be involved in the exciting venture.

‘I have reached out to Hugh via email and there has been a bit of back and forward correspondence,’ Mestrov told Yahoo Sport Australia.

‘I have officially invited him to be a guest at our game and he has indicated he will be there. He is very keen to be involved and thinks the Vegas venture is a great idea for the club and the game as a whole.

‘He’s obviously a very busy man so I’m not sure of any specifics at this stage, but I’m sure he will help out with promotions where he can. 

‘Having Hugh and Russell Crowe involved will be huge. I have just returned from the States and everyone knows who those two blokes are.’

In a major coup for the NRL, the double header in March will be shown in prime time in the US via the Fox network.

It poses as a priceless opportunity for the sport to attract new fans, and will also mark the first time NRL matches have been staged outside of Australia or New Zealand.

Manly tragic Jackman has been in contact with the club about helping out

Four teams will travel to the USA for the code’s historic Las Vegas double header in March

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, close to 15,000 tickets have been sold to the double-header in Las Vegas.

Footy supremo Peter V’Landys also recently confirmed the NRL is committed to playing annual fixtures in Sin City until at least 2028, if not beyond.

A primary aim is to tap into the lucrative gambling market in the US, which could generate the code millions of dollars in revenue.

‘We have set ourselves five years and if the results aren’t there in five, we will re-assess, but I know we have the best game in the world,’ V’Landys said.

‘There is no game like rugby league. It’s got everything.’

Back in August of 1987, an exhibition State of Origin match was staged in Long Beach, California as rugby league looked to go global.

NSW beat Queensland 30-18, in front of an estimated 12,000 plus fans.