NCR Partners With NRL For Player Pathways

National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) has announced a landmark partnership with Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL), creating unprecedented professional pathways for US collegiate athletes. This groundbreaking collaboration will send NCR men’s and women’s select side teams to compete in the prestigious Premier Division at the 2026 Vegas 9s Festival, offering top student-athletes a direct pipeline to the world's premier rugby league competition. NRL scouts will select 15 women and 15 men from over 600 student-athletes evaluated at NCR’s All-Star Championships in Atlanta this January, with the NRL and sponsors covering travel costs and creating recruiting profiles. This is a monumental step for US rugby, as players will perform before NRL and NRLW officials, potentially earning professional scouting and trial opportunities within a league often dubbed the "NFL of Australia" due to its massive $2.2 billion AUD domestic media rights deal. Beyond the select teams, the partnership also introduces a new College Division at Vegas 9s, allowing all North American collegiate programs to experience the fast-paced 9s format and showcase their talent to professional scouts, as highlighted by NCR Women’s Director Alycia Washington and Men’s Director Brad Dufek. This initiative significantly boosts the visibility and professional prospects for American collegiate rugby talent on a global stage, offering unparalleled opportunities right here in the US.