Not getting that back’: What Peter V’landys stole from the White House
Many already knew Peter V’landys is a gung-ho character bold enough to take Australian rugby league to the United States, but what might come as a surprise is the ARL Commission chairman had the courage to steal from the White House.
V’landys rubbed shoulders with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a state dinner at the White House on Wednesday night (local time).
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was locked in for the dinner and invited V’landys to join, just over four months out from the NRL‘s historic Las Vegas season launch
V’landys crossed live to Nine’s Today on Friday morning to spruik “three or four days of festivities”, headlined by a Rabbitohs-Sea Eagles and Roosters-Broncos double header.
“I actually sent Pete a message yesterday saying, ‘Can you steal something from the White House for me?’,” Today co-host Karl Stefanovic said.
“And did you?” added co-host Sarah Abo.
“Yes, I did, actually; just a knife and fork,” V’landys quipped.
The Today show co-hosts burst into laughter and Abo remarked, “Not getting that back”.
“Our prime minister, who’s been fantastic over here — he has really been so impressive and a statesman,” V’landys added.
“I’ve been to every function and he’s just been on fire promoting Australia.
“He actually said, ‘To all the Australians in the room, please don’t take the cutlery’, but I didn’t listen; I just took the knife and the fork.”