South Sydney Rabbitohs Gain US Attention After Historic NRL Win

South Sydney Rabbitohs Gain US Attention After Historic NRL Win...

The South Sydney Rabbitohs, an Australian rugby league team, are unexpectedly trending in the U.S. today following their dramatic 32-28 victory over the Sydney Roosters in the NRL season opener. The match, played early Saturday morning U.S. time, featured a record-breaking comeback that caught the attention of American sports fans.

Interest spiked after ESPN's SportsCenter featured highlights of the game during its Sunday night broadcast, marking rare U.S. coverage of Australia's National Rugby League. The Rabbitohs' American owner, actor Russell Crowe, also fueled attention by celebrating the win on his verified Twitter account, which has over 1.2 million followers.

The team's Indigenous heritage connections are resonating with U.S. audiences during Women's History Month. Rabbitohs player Latrell Mitchell, a proud Indigenous Australian, dedicated his two-try performance to his community in a post-game interview that went viral internationally.

Sports analysts note this reflects growing American interest in international rugby competitions. The NRL recently signed a U.S. broadcast deal with Fox Sports, with select games airing on FS2. South Sydney's next match against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on March 12 will be among the featured broadcasts.

Australian expat communities in major U.S. cities have organized viewing parties, particularly in Los Angeles where the team played a preseason match in 2020. The Rabbitohs' distinctive red and green colors and rabbit logo have also sparked merchandise sales through the team's U.S. online store.

This marks the second time in three years the team has trended stateside, following their 2023 Las Vegas exhibition game that drew 40,000 attendees. The NRL is reportedly considering more U.S. games in 2027, with South Sydney likely to be featured again due to their American fanbase.