Northern Territory Titans prepare for a tilt at glory after hot start to Las Vegas Nines tournament

The Northern Territory Titans are doing their home country proud, proving their talent on the world stage as they prepare for a final day tilt at the big prize on day two of the Las Vegas Nines.

NRL NT Titans women performing at Las Vegas Nines.

The NT Titans women have proved they’re right in the mix with the very best after securing their spot in the Las Vegas Nines knockouts with three wins from four games.

The Titans women have been a formidable side for the past four years with their 2023 National Championships undefeated run putting the rep outfit on the map.

For many in the young side the opportunity in the United States was their first overseas adventure, but they took to it brilliantly.

In their first day of competition they beat the East Palo Razorbacks 30-6, the Dead Pelicans 42-4 and BC Storm 10-0, with their only loss coming in a gutsy 14-10 showing against the Ontario Ospreys.

Standouts including captain Ellie Niki, the hard running Abigayle Sekitoga and North Queensland’s Ana Malupo.

Sasha Blomley has also been sensational down the wing with some great tries and try saving tackles, as have the likes of Kalem Nona in a side with seven members under 21.

NRL NT Titans women performing at Las Vegas Nines.

The third place finish means they now face the Indigenous Mana side, which ran the LA Roosters, packed with NRLW talent very close, in the first quarter final.

Coach Leon Cleal said his side had reached the stage he had asked of them coming into the competition, but wanted them to keep pushing onward.

“The challenge for us now is they’ve done what they came to do so in this first day of play, so we have to make sure it doesn’t wear off,” he said.

“Now it’s about seeing if we pull something special off again because if they win a quarter final that’ll be unbelievable for us.

“They’ve played well and they defended really well all day and then our attack was just based on playing what’s in front of us and support each other.

“They really turned it on in the second day, 42 points was the most scored on the day but we were disappointed to have gone down 14-0 by half time in the third match.”

Beyond the field of play the side have managed to get out and see the sights and lights of Las Vegas as they get to watch the NRL Las Vegas fixtures.

They got to interact and train with the University of Las Vegas women’s basketball team and watch as the side won their regular season, and got to go on court to celebrate the win after.

NRL NT general manager Tony Crowe had been watching from afar, but he like most of the rugby league community in the Territory was overjoyed with the results.

“We’re just extremely proud, we’re seen as a non-traditional league region, but these results prove what we can do,” he said.

“To be doing this on the world stage is a great recognition of our pathways and rugby league in the Northern Territory.

“It’s surreal, they’re ticking the box for us and putting the NT on the map.”

Originally published as Northern Territory Titans prepare for a tilt at glory after hot start to Las Vegas Nines tournament