NRL Las Vegas video special: Raiders recovery session in the middle of wild pool party; Sharks meet LA heroes

Nightclub music blaring over the speakers, a mega screen with wall-to-wall sport and tourists floating around sipping cocktails. This was the Canberra Raiders’ recovery session, Vegas style. Watch the videos.

Canberra scheduled what they thought was a recovery session at one of the pools in Las Vegas on Saturday morning (AEDT). They ended up smack bang in the middle of a pool party.

Nightclub music was blaring over the speakers. A mega-screen – think Accor Stadium on steroids – was their backdrop. Every sport under the sun was playing.

Punters with cocktails and beers mingled with the players while they waded in the two pools at Stadium Swim, the throbbing heart of the Circa Resort and Casino in old Las Vegas.

At one point, a bloke with a monster beer inquisitively floated over to the Raiders players and joined in their circle. Like everyone else in the vicinity, he was wondering who were these blokes with cameras following their every move.

It was vintage Las Vegas and the players loved every minute of it. Even coach Ricky Stuart couldn’t help but laugh.

The Raiders are more than a week away from their season opener against the Warriors at Allegiant Stadium and they are still in recovery mode after the long trip from the nation’s capital.

The players were given the chance to sample the best of Las Vegas on their opening night in Sin City. They have been on their best behaviour but things will start to get serious in coming days.

For the moment, they can afford to relax and enjoy days like this, when Vegas was putting on a show.

The Canberra Raiders enjoy a unique recovery session. Pictures: Jonathan Ng

It was perfect pool party weather and it is expected to stay that way leading into Sunday afternoon’s (AEDT) season opener.

Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty quipped that Stuart better have his sunglasses on because his eyes would be getting a workout. It was that kind of vibe.

“It’s very different to the facilities back home,” Fogarty said.

“I thought we were going to a recovery and wellness centre not a place where we had to show our ID and walk past pokies.

“A couple of the young boys only turned 21 ... first away trip with the boys is pretty good.”

The handful of players who are yet to turn 21 had to be escorted through the casino in a separate group.

Fogarty was happy to soak in all things Las Vegas except the famed drinking culture. He hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol for 12 months and will keep that going.

Given that he probably wouldn’t get value for money if he hired a cabana at the Stadium Swim which is said to set you back $20,000 for a Super Bowl vantage point.

Plastic cups and plastic accessories – in and out of the water – were all the rage. So much for the pool session. The pool party seemed much more fun.

WATCH: SHARKS MEET LA HEROES

- David Riccio in Los Angeles

Sharks star Blayke Brailey has been confronted with the daunting reality of what the first responders encountered during the devastating fires that roared through Los Angeles last month.

Brailey and Cronulla teammates Billy Burns and Jayden Berrell visited Westlake District Fire Department in LA on Saturday, where they learned of the extraordinary efforts of California’s firefighters.

The Westlake Fire Department were one of the first trucks on the scene and of which stayed fighting the fires that tore through the Palisades community of LA for several days.

“We know what happened recently with the fires in LA and to hear their incredible stories of what they faced is inspiring,’’ Brailey said.

“We all saw the fires on TV and to be in the frontline would’ve been horrific.

“I tried on all their equipment and it weighs almost my body weight (85kg) and it’s mind-blowing that they carry that every day into rescue people.’’

The Sharks are in LA where they are conducting a four-day training camp before flying to Las Vegas on Tuesday in readiness for their huge opening round clash with the Panthers at Allegiant Stadium.

Cronulla have been using their stay in LA to also learn more about the US, which led them to delivering a signed Sharks jersey to the LA firefighters.

Cronulla players with LA firefighters.

“Not many people get this chance to come and talk to the crew here and get the full experience of being inside the fire truck and carrying all the equipment, it’s unreal experience and I’m thankful to be a part of it,’’ Brailey said.

“I put the gear on and walked up one flight of stairs and my legs were gone.

“Yet they told us they sometimes have to travel up 40 to 50 flights of stairs. It’s inspiring.’’

The Sharks will hit the training paddock for the first time in LA on Sunday at the University of Southern California (USC).

Originally published as NRL Las Vegas video special: Raiders recovery session in the middle of wild pool party; Sharks meet LA heroes