'It's been pretty special for me': Abdo's tribute to David Morrow after Hall of Fame honour 09:58

Now gentlemen, it's time to catch up with the boss of the National Rugby League, Andrew Abdo, because it has been a big week. Not only has our great mate David Morrow been elevated to the Rugby League Hall of Fame, there's been a meeting to discuss potentially the next immortal, but we've also had the announcement of an expanded Las Vegas Festival in 2025 with four games being played. We'll have a Super League match, two NRL games,

and a women's test match between the Jilaroos and the Lionesses. I'm pleased to say Andrew Abdo, the boss of the National Rugby League, is on the line. Andrew, good afternoon to you. Hey, good afternoon, Mike. First and foremost, we've just been talking about kumquats. Have you got a kumquat tree in your backyard?

I don't have a kumquat tree. When I was growing up, I had an avo tree. And we also used to have things called nachis, which look like kumquats. They're like a form of citrus. And we used to have a lot of fun with them, throwing them at each other. Well, as you can tell, this is why we rate number one as far as radio stations are concerned on weekends, because we discuss all the big issues. On to Vegas, four games. I am more interested in French fries or chips than I am in kumquats. What do you prefer, Andrew?

I prefer chips. I didn't really know there was a difference. Thank you. But anyone wouldn't be honest with themselves if they sign it and enjoy a hot plate of chips, especially with a footy dog.

And to be honest, there's no real difference. Sorry, did you say you had an avocado tree? Avocados grow on trees. I didn't know that. Oh, stop it. Where did you think they were grown? I don't know where they would come from. I had no idea. I've got them at home. Do you really? Yeah, just get the seed and just put it in a pot. Out of interest, where do you think avocados came from? I had no idea. I didn't even think of it. Like potatoes. Well, they just appeared from nowhere, did they? No, I thought they maybe grew in the ground. I don't know. Ha, ha, ha.

He's a complete idiot. They don't have a stem on them, do they? Yes, they do at the top.

Okay. You learn something every day, Paul. You learn something every day. On to Las Vegas, Andrew. And we were lucky enough to be there, all the boys on this panel, earlier this year, and your good self. And we were blown away by the success of the very first trip to Las Vegas. You've expanded things for next year. And with the amount of interest from England, obviously a women's test match, plus the two NRL games, this is just going to go from strength to strength.

It's a real festival now and it'd be the first time ever where we've had competition points up for grabs in both the Super League and the NRL competition. And then you add, of course, a women's international test match. It's kind of got everything. And I think the opportunity to showcase the talented players that we have in the north of England and obviously in the NRL and then male and female players on the US stage

it's going to be a festival like one we've not done before. So it's very exciting and obviously a great opportunity for fans and travel and enjoy that. Andrew, I agree with you. As Levi said before, we've all been over there and it was a great success this year. I was going to say last year, but it was this year. My only question to you is, and I'm sure you've been asked this before, the four games on the one day, do you think that's a little bit too much?

Well, if you think about it, like Magic Round, we have three games in one day on Saturday. So we know that it works. And of course, we also know we're going to be building a precinct in and around the stadium and having sort of a tailgate experience for fans as well. So...

whether you want to come and enjoy all four games or whether you want to come and enjoy three or two, that's going to be up to fans. But if you're travelling all the way across from Australia, New Zealand, from the UK or anywhere in the world to go and see this Rugby League Festival, I think you're going to be really happy with four games. They're all so different and they'll be mixed up, Super League game, NRL game, women's game and then other NRL games. Oh, mate, I'm...

I'm happy, Andrew, with the four games. I'm just thinking it's just a little bit too much. I know you said you had three on Magic Round, but they're not starting at 8.30 in the morning. You know, it's very, very, in my opinion, it's very early.

Yeah, so that's obviously the Super League fixture which takes into account what the time will be, which will be very late in the UK. So, you know, for viewers back here in Australia, take your pick, you've got effectively a Sunday of football to choose and that's obviously going to be up to the viewers. But if you're watching it live, there'll be plenty to do in between games. Andrew, is there a plan, a contingency plan at all if one of these teams win the premiership? Because...

The World Cup Challenge from last year, anyway, was played a week or two earlier. What if one of these teams win the Premiership and have to play in that? Will they still play in this? Yeah, yeah, it's a good question. Of course, the scenario could be that you could have either one of the Super League teams, because we're going to Warrington right at the top of the ladder, or a number of our teams that are going win the Premiership on either side. So, yes, we've been in discussions with the Super League and the clubs,

And we've got a few different scenario plans for that. We could play the World Cup Challenge here in Australia, or we could play it in the UK and then have the teams travel across. So we're working with all the clubs on what their preference would be and what they could look like if that would eventuate. But because they won't be playing in the trials if they win the World Cup Challenge, there's an opportunity for us to be quite innovative around that. So these four teams will definitely be playing in Vegas, whether they win the Cop or not?

Absolutely. Damien, just while we're talking to Andrew, you got the opportunity to play in Las Vegas at the beginning of the year as part of the season opening doubleheader. What was it like from your point of view? I thought it was a great experience. The whole camp that we did over there, even getting around Las Vegas, I think the Super League game is going to be a massive hit because I remember walking around the streets and running into it

actually a lot of Warrington fans. So I think they're going to get a fair few over there for that game. So that's a great addition. But, mate, I'd love it. I'd do it again. My question to Abdel is probably going to be, any chance the Dragons are going to go the year after while I'm there? I wouldn't mind going back. That's how good it was.

Well, it's a good question. And obviously we've said that we want to give every club the opportunity over the next, you know, the remaining four years and now three years to go. So there's a good chance, Damien, that the Dragons will be there. I don't know which year, but they've shown a strong interest in going and we will be hot at work straight off the 2025 games in terms of 26. What else have you got going on in Vegas? Because I remember the FanFest was a massive hit.

last year that everyone loved. Do you have any more things to add on to that? Yeah, it's going to be a week of activities and we're kind of looking at that. It's quite interesting that with the success of year one, which was incredibly difficult, a lot of people reach out and think about how they might want to work with us to do things. So we'll look to build on a sports conference so people travelling across can get

take advantage of seeing what the latest and greatest is around the world, looking at technology. And we'll also be looking at working with the clubs and doing some activations for the fans that travel. So there'll be quite a lot happening during the week. And, you know, not like you need much distraction when you're in Las Vegas. There'll be plenty going on in the city itself, but also we'll be doing a lot. We've got our Vegas Nines, which was really popular with U.S. amateur teams taking part in that tournament and the combine as well.

Andrew, just one last one before you go. And I don't know whether you heard what I said off the top of the program, but it meant so much to us on the continuous call team. And I was lucky enough to be in the hospital room this week when you gave permission to Ray Hadley to inform David Morrow that he'd been elevated into the Hall of Fame. Can I just say on behalf of David's family, a huge thank you for fast tracking that meeting yourself, Peter Volandes and all those judges. It means so much to

to David and to see the tears roll down his face when Ray informed him of the news that he'd been elevated to the Rugby League Hall of Fame. I'm sure you'd agree there's no one more deserving of that honour given his four decades long service to the great game of rugby league.

Well said, Mike. I'm glad you raised that. And if I may, I'd like to pay my own special tribute to David. I've been fortunate enough over the last couple of years to get to know you guys and spend a bit of time sometimes with you live in the studio, sometimes on a call like this. And getting to know David over that period of time has been pretty special for me personally. So I was very saddened by the news of the challenge that he has with brain cancer. But more importantly, it was a special moment for me this week, being part of that

that committee and sitting around people, legends of the game, talking about those that have contributed to the game and obviously the decision to induct David and induct him early. It was really emotional and I think really deserving. If you think about the great callers and the great commentators in the game, what do you need? You need a deep passion and love and knowledge of the game. You guys did endless hours of research behind the scenes

He's a great voice and a great presence, but most of all, the X factor, the charisma and the personality to be a great caller and a great commentator. And David exuded that. He had a presence about him. He had a great personality and a great charisma. I felt it in the last few years as I got to know him. And for him to be inducted, I can't think of someone who's contributed more in that regard, who's so well-respected and so well-liked. And so it was a really special moment, obviously, for David. And I'm glad that...

you know, he got to hear the news from those close to him, yourself and Ray and others. A very special time in our game. Oh, that's beautiful. Thank you, Andrew. And we look forward to seeing you over the coming weeks and at that function later in the year. And it means a hell of a lot to the continuous call team, to Ray, but more importantly to David, his wife, Christine, and his two daughters, Emily and Lucy. And we'll make sure that he gets to hear exactly what you've said this afternoon. Thanks for joining us, Andrew. Big week for the game and we look forward to Vegas next year.

Thanks, Mark. You know, it's us who should be thanking him, not you thanking us. 50 years, over 50 years, that's decades. In all sports, not just rugby league, cricket, racing, Olympics, he's a legend. And I can't wait to celebrate his legacy on the night of the Hall of Fame on the 21st of August. Thanks for having me. And congrats on the ratings, guys, as well. Good on you, Andrew. Thank you, mate. That's Andrew Abdo, the boss of the NRL.