The NFL has "trumpeted the participation" of National Rugby League players Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes "in an official trial" in L.A. next week, according to Matt Encarnacion of the AAP. Taumalolo and Holmes flew together from London "immediately after squaring off against each other in the Four Nations final between Australia and New Zealand on Monday." Both Taumalolo and Holmes are signed with the same player agent company, Pacific Sports Management, which described the tryout as an "NFL sporting experience." The company said that both players had "received interest from NFL franchises throughout the year, and had departed for the U.S. with their NRL clubs' blessing." The NFL Management Council "informed clubs of the trial" to be held on Nov. 26. A statement said, "Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes, two of the best players in Australia's National Rugby League, have scheduled a work-out for NFL clubs this Saturday" (AAP, 11/21). The Brisbane COURIER-MAIL reported that five clubs have "officially registered interest in scouting Taumalolo and Holmes." The teams include the San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts and the Seattle Seahawks. The pair "will spend the week dipping their toe in NFL waters, but NRL hierarchy made it clear it would not tolerate Taumalolo and Holmes reneging on their contracts in rugby league." The duo "are off-contract next season." An NRL spokesperson said, "The players have not committed any breach by undergoing fitness tests with the NFL. But we would expect them to return to Australia and fulfill their contractual commitments once they have finished those tests." Cronulla Sharks CEO Lyall Gorman said that Holmes had permission to complete a series of "non-contact" sessions. He said, "We are very comfortable for Val to have the experience and we support him in it" (COURIER-MAIL, 11/21).
