LAS VEGAS: Olympic rugby sevens star Adam Channel will be one of 50 American athletes fighting for their dream at the NRL Combine over the next two days.
The two best men and women will then get the chance to train with an NRL/NRLW club – with the hope of landing a contract.
"This is massive for me," 28-year-old Channel, from Long Beach in California, told Wide World of Sports.
"I've never played league but have always been fascinated by the speed and physicality.
"I had a training session with the boys from Cronulla the other day and they gave me some tips – and luckily they didn't hit me too hard."
Adam Channel. Getty
While most of the triallists have an American football background, Channel has played rugby since he was a toddler, thanks to his grandmother hailing from New Zealand.
That led him to the Paris Olympics and he has already had a taste of Australia, having played in sevens tournaments in Sydney and Perth.
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"From what I can tell it's a great country and I'd love the chance to live there and play rugby league," he said.
And does he think the NRL can win over the American sporting public?
"This is the biggest sporting market in the world, so the competition is fierce," he said.
"But the way these guys belt each other without pads or helmets, the way the game never really stops, that would appeal to Americans if they were exposed to it on TV.
"I think they would love it."