Vegas Confidential: NRL players’ Hollywood warning, giant Steeden football in Times Square

Australian players have been warned to stay away from two of LA’s most iconic venues, while in New York the NRL has gone big in Times Square, promoting the game to 300,000 people.

Sydney Roosters players have been told to ban the bling and avoid two of Los Angeles’ most famous landmarks – Hollywood Boulevard and Venice Beach.

LA detective Ryan Cooper – who works with the local gang and narcotics squad - and LAPD Sergeant Sean Lewis visited the Roosters’ Beverly Hills Hotel to warn of the perils that lie around Los Angeles during the team’s eight-day stay ahead of their move to Las Vegas.

Two uniform policemen, lead officers from the local Westwood and Beverly Hills precinct, were also at the meeting with Roosters players.

Aside from Hollywood Boulevard and Venice Beach, police also urged the players to avoid East Hollywood and Downtown LA and cautioned them about being pick-pocketed and urged to socialise in groups.

The NRL initiated the police intervention to avoid any possible off-field dramas in America.

“The players were told about certain areas to stay away from and avoid downtown LA and Hollywood Boulevard,” said Sydney Roosters head of football operations, Chris James.

“They just think there are a fair bit of homeless now here in LA and there are a lot of crime gangs around who target pick pocketing.

“It was about making sure we’re in groups, the boys aren’t wearing flashy jewellery and they stay out of those seedy areas like downtown and Hollywood.

Hollywood Boulevard is a no-go zone for players.

“We are going downtown to watch some basketball but won’t be spending too much there.

“You don’t want any (jewellery) on show. You wouldn’t think about that in Australia but here it’s about having a heightened level of awareness. It’s about having an awareness of your surroundings more than you would at home.

“They (police) think our players will be fine. They are big boys and probably won’t get targeted but it was also about how to keep our staff safe, we have female staff members here.

“East Hollywood was another they said to stay away from.

“The police got in front of the team to speak about the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of LA and what to avoid. We want to get out of here with no real dramas or issues.

“They told us about the safe places to go, how to keep each safe and what to look out for. The boys will still have a really good time but just have to look out for each other and be safe.”

Roosters get their first look inside the UCLA Bruins facility in Los Angeles. Picture: Sydney Roosters

LAPD will increase a presence around the Roosters’ hotel on Wilshire Boulevard to prevent players being targeted by local crime gangs.

“The NRL made the connection a few months ago and local police will have some extra patrols here to keep the boys safe,” James said. “The players were told that if they go out in groups, there shouldn’t be a problem.

“It’s also about not being dictated to about what you do either. There are still some great parts of LA.”

Before being told about Venice Beach, the Roosters travelled to the famous landmark to walk off jet lag.

“They said Venice Beach wasn’t fantastic these days but we went down as a group on Wednesday and I must say, as a large group, we all felt pretty safe,” James said.

NRL MEETS NYC AS GIANT STEEDEN TAKE OVER TIMES SQUARE

– Peter Badel

The big Steeden has arrived in the Big Apple as the NRL steps up preparations for next week’s historic 2024 season opener in the US.

Spotted in New York’s Times Square, one of the busiest areas in the United States, a virtual reality rugby league ball was projected above the street line, as the NRL’s tailor-made highlights package was beamed overhead on a giant advertising billboard.

Rather than a kicking tee, the giant Steeden above the iconic New York Police Department sign, where more than 300,000 New Yorkers walk past every day.

Although the game will be played in Las Vegas, rugby league is being promoted coast to coast in the US as the NRL looks to lock in a five-year broadcast deal to screen NRL matches live on American prime time television.

The giant Steeden in Times Square, New York.

With the NRL’s tailor-made US ad running above.

Under an agreement struck with US Pay Television service Fox Sports 1, which reaches more than 90 million American homes the NRL’s season-opening double header will be shown in the lucrative prime-time slots.

Souths-Manly will be screened live to Americans at 6.30pm, followed by the Broncos-Roosters clash at 8.30pm.

Not content, ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has a strategic plan for NRL double-headers to be screened live in America until the end of 2028, in line with the code’s five-year deal to play premiership games in Las Vegas.

It is a key plank in a broadcasting masterplan that would see select premiership matches shown live in the US every week during the NRL season.

BRONCOS’ LET-LAG CURE

The Broncos have left no stone unturned to succeed in Vegas after seeking advice from sleep specialists to minimise jet-lag setbacks for their round 1 season opener in America.

Brisbane have turned to sports science to help with mid-flight sleep patterns to ensure Broncos players are well rested for their clash with the Roosters on Sunday week at Allegiant Stadium.

The Broncos squad flew business class and touched down in Los Angeles on Friday morning for a week-long camp at the facility of NFL side the Rams before shifting to Vegas next week.

A business class trip for a squad of 22 players would cost in excess of $120,000.

Brisbane hooker Billy Walters said Broncos players have been advised on getting sleep patterns right to avoid struggling physically and mentally in the US.

Brisbane Broncos star Corey Oates talks to reporters at LAX.

“We were told to have some sleep about five hours into the flight, that’s about 11pm Los Angeles time,” Walters said.

“A few of the boys tried to stay awake all night (the previous night) to try and help with the jet lag.

“We’re all pumped. It’s a huge event for the game and we want to make sure our focus is on the job to beat the Roosters in round 1.”

Broncos superstar fullback Reece Walsh was among a touring party of 22 after having his visa application escalated – and ultimately approved — by US authorities.

Originally published as Vegas Confidential: NRL players’ Hollywood warning, giant Steeden football in Times Square