SYDNEY: Chair of the Australian Rugby League Commission, Peter V’landys, says the recent blockbuster American gridiron match in Melbourne between NFL teams the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers gives him confidence to press on with his plans to have the NRL infiltrate the US sports market.

For several years Mr V’landys (main picture) has insisted that the opening round of the NRL season be played in Las Vegas in a bid to interest American football fans in the code.

“I can confirm that we will keep going with my plan to once again play the first games of the 2027 NRL season in Vegas,” he said.

Referencing the 100,000-plus crowd that packed the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the NFL match, Mr V’landys said he believed that NRL games in Las Vegas could eventually attract similar numbers of fans.

“It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that in a few more years of season openers in the US we’ll be getting crowds of 100 or more to our games in Las Vegas,” he said.

Under questioning Mr V’landys clarified that when referring to crowd numbers of “100 or more” he meant 100 or more, not 100,000 or more.

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DUBLIN: Before flying back to the US, President Donald Trump expanded on his remarks supporting unification of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

On his visit to the Irish Republic, Mr Trump sparked controversy by backing unification despite the traditionally neutral stance adopted by his predecessors.

Before boarding his new gold-plated official aircraft Air Force Trump, the President went further in discussing his idea for a united Ireland.

“I think some of the resistance to unification could be overcome by adopting a new name for the single, unified country,” he said.

“As a marketing and promotional genius I know that it needs to be a name that grabs people immediately and one that people can’t forget.

“I’m suggesting Epstein Ireland, which I think fits the bill perfectly,” he said.

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OTTAWA: Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has refused to comment on suggestions that he personally ordered the latest assault on the USA in the wake of his ongoing political spat with President Donald Trump over trade tariffs.

“I have said I will use whatever resources Canada possesses and do whatever it takes to inflict harm on the USA even if it means tolerating some collateral damage,” Mr Carney said.

“But I will not be openly signalling my plans, nor will I be revealing the tactical or strategic decisions I take in the ongoing political and economic war with America.

“With that in mind you’ll understand that I can neither confirm nor deny that I enticed Celine Dion to come out of retirement and resume performing,” he said.

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