LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken

View from America: How NRL stars are selling game before a ball is kicked

Tiger Woods, Tom Brady, LeBron James… and Nathan Cleary.

It's not hyperbole.

He belongs.

nrl.com.au are reporting

It took only moments to conclude that the Penrith Panthers superstar - and now NRL ambassador to the USA by osmosis - absolutely belongs in the conversation with the greatest athletes I've seen and had the pleasure of interviewing.

Panthers' fans, rugby league fans … actually ALL Australians should realise a national treasure when you see one, and not take for granted how impressive this man is as the greatest game for all continues to try to grow its reach in Las Vegas.

It's been a serious privilege to be amongst all the hoopla and hubbub that is rugby league in Las Vegas for a second year - a change of pace from watching birdies and bogeys, touchdowns and sacks and homeruns and bunts.

And he's not alone.

Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart [can take a bow].

His captain Joseph Tapine also.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster too.

You've made this expat extremely proud - and to honest - brutally homesick.

As a former NRL journalist I've always had a soft spot for rugby league despite leaving Sydney's shores for Los Angeles some 18 years ago.