EPISODE 18: Growing Rugby League in Utah | State of Origin III, NRL & Super League

The Rugby League Rat Pack welcomes special guest Eugene Tukumoeatu from the Utah Junior Rugby League for an in-depth conversation about growing rugby league in the United States. Eugene shares how Utah is developing youth and girls programs, engaging the Polynesian community, using American football as a pathway to rugby league, and building the Heritage Cup into a successful grassroots competition. Of course the boys bring their weekly look around the rugby league world with an NRL Recap, Super League Round Up, Bobo's Breakdown, and Captain America's Most Valuable Preston Award, along with State of Origin III predictions, Magic Round discussion, NRLW coverage, and exclusive on location videos from Duck Arse. Follow the podcast and Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rugbyleagueratpack?sub_confirmation=1 In This Episode:Eugene Tukumoeatu joins the Rugby League Rat Pack Growing rugby league in Utah and across the United States Building youth and girls rugby league programs The Polynesian community's impact on rugby league Using American football to introduce new players Utah Junior Rugby League Heritage Cup NRL Recap NRLW opening week Super League Round Up featuring Magic Round Bobo's Breakdown Most Valuable Preston Award MND Awareness State of Origin III preview and predictions Chapters: 00:00 State of Origin, Super League Magic Round, NRLW kickoff 00:59 233 Days until Scrum Vegas 4 04:33 Duck Arse Looking Good & Feeling Good 08:03 Eugene Tukumoeatu joins the Rat Pack 10:28 How to develop Rugby League in the U.S.A. 12:16 Polynesian community in Utah 13:15 The biggest challenge growing Rugby League 15:19 Using American Football to teach Rugby League 17:45 What model and format is Eugene using in Utah? 18:49 How Flag Rugby helps people learn the sport 19:39 Utah Junior Rugby League Heritage Cup 2026 23:09 Spirit of Community 26:12 Rugby League growth strategy 29:01 NRL Recap: Duck Arse on location 35:16 NRL Women's Recap 40:50 MND Awareness 42:11 Super League Round Up: Magic Round 50:04 Bobo's Breakdown: Is a referee's decision ever final? 1:00:46 Most Valuable Preston Award: Dayne Jennings 1:05:49 Will Sam Walker dethrone Nathan Cleary as Australia's World Cup halfback? 1:06:24 State of Origin III predictions FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RugbyLeagueRatpack Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rugbyleagueratpack/ X - https://x.com/RL_RatPack