DALLY M player of the year Jason Taumalolo and Kangaroos star Valentine Holmes are chasing a career in the NFL after flying to the United States for a series of trials.
The North Queensland wrecking-ball and the Sharks try-scorer have not returned to Australia following Australia’s win over New Zealand in the Four Nations final and have instead flown out from London to the United States to chase a potential trial with an American football team.
The pair will hold a trial for NFL scouts in Los Angeles on Saturday (Sunday AEDT), according to an NFL management council communication issued to every NFL team.
The Roar reports the NFL memo classifies Taumalolo and Holmes free agents for the 2017-18 NFL season.
“Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes, two of the best players in Australia’s National Rugby League, have scheduled a work out for NFL clubs this Saturday,” the NFL management council communication stated.
“These players are considered NFL free agents and are eligible to sign with clubs after the club has received written permission from the player’s National Rugby League club.”
Both Taumalolo and Holmes are off-contract at the end of the 2017 NRL season.
The two stars are both clients of Pacific Sports Management’s Gavin Orr and Chris Orr.
Jason Taumalolo would be a huge loss to the NRL.Source:News Corp Australia
The Courier-Mail reports the pair are unlikely to try and break their existing deals, but their futures in rugby league are far from certain.
The Cowboys confirmed Taumalolo’s NFL ambition on Monday afternoon.
“The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys are aware that player Jason Taumalolo is returning from the Four Nations tournament via the USA where he will undergo testing in front of NFL scouts,” the club said in a statement.
“Jason has done this with the full backing of the club, and in consultation with the player’s management.”
Taumalolo’s NFL interest comes less than two months after he put rumours of a cross-code move to bed by declaring he wanted to become an NRL great. “My plan is to retire playing rugby league and that hasn’t changed over the last little while,” he said, upon winning the prestigious Dally M medal alongside Cooper Cronk in September.
“I want to be playing in the NRL for as long as I can and hopefully be recognised alongside (Cronk), (Johnathan Thurston) and (Cameron Smith) as one of the greats.”
Australian-based NFL scout Paul Shepherd recently singled out Kiwi forward Taumalolo as an ideal target for an NFL franchise.
He said the 23-year-old’s youth would give him time to learn the game and still enjoy a long career.
“At his age, Jason has time to learn the nuances of the game,” Shepherd told The Courier-Mail.
“He is a massive unit, he would be a great tight-end or linebacker and in defensive lines he would smash blokes.
Valentine Holmes has huge potential in the NRL.Source:Getty Images
“Because of the timing in the seasons, NRL players have to take an enormous risk and make financial sacrifices.
“NFL is an explosion-based game and few players in the NRL have Taumalolo’s explosiveness.
“It would be a huge test for Jason but he has the physical ability to make it. If he has a crack, I wish him all the best.”
South Sydney forward Thomas Burgess also tested with New York Giants last year. The Rabbitohs prop went with their blessing, but returned to play in the 2016 season.
The 2016-17 NFL season is currently into its 11th week with Super Bowl LI on February 5.
Replies
LOL
Taumalolo maybe but Holmes, no chance!
Agree, i recon Holmes is a bit overrated to be honest.
Or the media write that they're interested in another game?
They obviously haven't seen the Jarryd Hayne documentary.
lol
ILL BE BACK
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