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Cronulla forward Braden Hamlin-Uele is determined to crash through a door first opened by Hollywood star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson when the Sharks travel to Las Vegas for next month's NRL season opener.
The actor and former WWE superstar showcased rugby league to his 300 million social media followers in a video praising Samoa for their run to the 2022 World Cup, providing the sport with global media coverage.
Communities in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and many more US cities organised street parades and motorcades to celebrate the team's historic achievements, highlighting the nascent support for rugby league in the US.
Hamlin-Uele was a member of the Samoan squad for the tournament and remembers the scenes vividly.
They quickly came to mind when the Sharks were announced as one of four teams to participate in the second edition of the NRL's Las Vegas season opener and he's eager to play a key role in harnessing that passion when his team travels to LA and Vegas later this month.
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Sharks: Vegas wants you
"They already are rugby league fans," Hamlin-Uele told NRL.com. "If you ask them, they'll tell you they already follow rugby league.
"When Toa Samoa made the World Cup final you saw parades happening everywhere for months. They're all big fans of league now, we'll go over there and hopefully build more fans.
"Hopefully we get as many people to the game as possible and we can grow the game even further."
The Sharks will take on Penrith in the final game of a historic quadruple header at Allegiant Stadium on March 1.
The Warriors and Raiders will also face off in an NRL clash, while English clubs Warrington and Wigan will open the event and Australia will play England in a women's Test match.
Given the existing interest in rugby league among Polynesian communities in the US, the spectacle is viewed as an opportunity to establish long-term, dedicated fans.
More than 200,000 people with Samoan ancestry live in America, roughly equivalent to the population of Samoa itself, with thousands more living in other countries around the world.
Pacific Island communities have helped ensure rugby league already has a foothold in the US. The Hopoate Cup is a Utah-based rugby league competition, named in honour of former NRL star and Tongan representative John Hopoate.
A series of local Tonga v Samoa games have also been held on the back of the rise of the Pacific nations in recent years.
Multiple players of Polynesian heritage are set to participate in the NRL Combine and Nines tournaments held in the lead up to the games in Vegas.
Hamlin-Uele celebrated his Samoan heritage at the Sharks' recent season launch, with side acknowledging the many cultures that combine to make one club.
Players from their men's, women's and junior teams each performed cultural dances from their respective backgrounds, honouring Indigenous, Māori, Tongan, and Samoan cultures.
Match: Panthers v Sharks
Round 1 -
home Team
Panthers
6th Position
away Team
Sharks
12th Position
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Hamlin-Uele said players were quick to jump on board when first told of the unique plans and is confident the unity will translate to results on the field.
"It's a testament to [coach Craig Fitzgibbon] and what he's brought since coming to the club," Hamlin-Uele said. "Since day dot he's been driving who we are as people before the player and that includes what our cultures are.
"It's good to showcase not only the NRL team but the NRLW and all our juniors as well.
"It shows how connected we are, not only as a team but as a whole club. Every success we have from Jersey Flegg making the grand final last year, the Jets winning their competition and the NRL side one game off the grand final, it shows how connected we are as a club.
"The feeling of togetherness and family translates to the footy field because if we're connected off the field, we're connected on the field."
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Rugby league's rules and laws explained
Hamlin-Uele endured a challenging 2024, an injury-riddled year limiting him to just 12 NRL games.
The repeated setbacks made it difficult to find a rhythm and he ultimately opted for an extended stint in NSW Cup to build some match fitness. The prop finished the season on a high, scoring the match-winning try in Newton's grand final victory over the North Sydney Bears.
Hamlin-Uele is confident 2025 will build on that momentum, with the forward completing his first full pre-season in years and relishing the opportunity to train alongside new recruit Addin Fonua-Blake.
Sharks fans will have to wait at least another week to see the former Warrior in a Cronulla jumper, with the prop to sit out the opening game of the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge on Friday night.
Hamlin-Uele will start at prop for the clash with the Warriors at Sharks Stadium in the club's first tune up before they open their season in Vegas.
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Try by Braden Hamlin-Uele
For the 30-year-old, it's a chance to start the year with a clean slate and ensure he is running on to Allegiant Stadium in Round 1.
"A full pre-season adds layers of confidence," Hamlin-Uele said. "It gives you confidence in what you can do on the field. You know who you are as a player, now it's just about finding it again when you didn't have it last year.
"We've got a lot of middles at this club, there's friendly competition and I look forward to it. These boys are great competitors, great trainers and great teammates. I'm blessed to be in a position where I'm not safe, no one's really safe in the jersey so you've got to earn it. We're all doing that so it's going to be a good headache for [Fitzgibbon]."
