Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Roosters forward De La Salle Va’a has revealed his desire to make a shock cross-code switch to the NFL.
Va’a, who is contracted to the Roosters until the end of next year, is poised to ask the premiers for an off-season window to pursue his NFL ambition via the sport’s International Pathways Program.
Should he be successful, he would become only the second NRL player to make a successful NFL switch, a decade after Jarryd Hayne made history with the San Francisco 49ers.
The hulking two-metre, 121-kilogram prop has made three first-grade appearances for the Roosters since debuting in 2024, his most recent in round 27 against the Rabbitohs. While he is contracted until the end of 2027, Va’a is hopeful the Roosters will give him an opportunity to trial for a US deal during the off-season.
“Look, there’s been [NFL] interest,” Va’a said. “They’ve reached out and invited me to some trials. I think I’d be silly to not at least give it a crack, see how it goes. Obviously, I still have commitments here with the Roosters, and when the time comes, I’ll have those conversations with them. I think it would be silly of me not to at least have a crack.”
The Brisbane Broncos have previously allowed mammoth prop Ben Te Kura – who made five NRL appearances for the club – an initial six-week leave of absence to pursue his NFL ambition. Va’a is hopeful of securing a similar window from the Roosters. Te Kura is no longer with the Broncos.
“The plan is to ask for a 10-week release because if I make it through to the camp, the IPP, that goes for 10 weeks,” said Va’a. “Obviously, the dream scenario is 10 weeks, and in case I don’t make it, I come back, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
“I know a few other boys from other codes have also gone down that route, so I think I’ll just give it a crack and see how it goes.”
Several league players have attempted to make the transition, but few have succeeded. Jordan Mailata made the extraordinary journey from a reserve-grader at South Sydney to a Super Bowl champion, whose latest Eagles contract is worth about $100 million. However, former Eels star Hayne – who made eight appearances for the San Francisco 49ers – is the only player to have appeared in the NFL after also playing first-grade rugby league.
Several rugby league players, including Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes, participated in NFL trials but didn’t make the transition.
“It’s very rare that you see players go over and successfully make it … so why not give it a crack and try to follow in their footsteps?” Va’a said.
The 21-year-old admitted he wasn’t an avid NFL supporter, but felt his huge frame would be suited to American football.
“You watch the highlights here and there, but I was never properly a fan of the game,” he said.
“But you always see how large the game is and how big it is, and you always want to be a part of that. So, I’m definitely always keen to give it a crack.”
Asked what position he would be best suited to, Va’a said: “[Talent scouts] didn’t have anything set in stone.
“Obviously, I’m big enough to play offensive line if I put on some size, but they said, based off the video footage, they felt my athleticism could also put me in potentially another position. So, I guess I’ll have to wait until they see me in person and make that decision for themselves.”
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