Las Vegas Confidential: Allegiant Stadium ticket sales surge, journos reveal scary LA encounters
Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas is not sold out – yet – but it is heading that way with ticket sales for the NRL’s historic double header surging.
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Ticket sales continue to climb for the NRL’s historic season kick-off in Las Vegas.
The NRL has hit the 40,000 tickets sold mark for the double-header to be held at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
With an increasing presence of advertising, marketing and fan fare organised throughout Las Vegas, the NRL is hoping to hit 50,000 tickets sold by kick-off.
AUSSIE JOURNOS INVOLVED IN LA KNIFE INCIDENT
Australian sports journalists have revealed fearing for their lives after two terrifying incidents, including a midnight knife encounter, while covering the Broncos ahead of their season opener in America.
The NRL’s historic double header in Las Vegas has been rocked by revelations two leading rugby league media crews encountered life-threatening situations while on location with the Broncos in Los Angeles.
One news presenter was confronted by a man wielding a knife just minutes before going live to air, while a second journalist feared being “killed” after being cornered by three vehicles while reporting near the Broncos team hotel.
Both crews were working after midnight due to the 18-hour time difference to meet deadlines back home in Australia.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one reporter spoke of his terror and appealed for the NRL to safeguard the welfare of Australia’s large throng of travelling media covering the 2024 premiership opener in Las Vegas.
“It was the first time in my life that I thought I was going to die,” the NRL journalist said.
“The honest feeling was we were either going to be robbed or killed.
“I was genuinely worried about not surviving.”
It is understood the journalist in question and his TV crew were preparing a Broncos report on the outskirts of Brisbane’s five-star hotel at Westlake Village when they were confronted by three cars at around 12.40am on Monday.
Brisbane’s hotel management preclude reporters from filming directly outside their premises to protect the privacy of guests.
That prompted the Australian crew, comprising three staff including a cameraman, to set up location on private property away from the Broncos hotel.
As the reporter prepared for a live cross, three cars approached from different directions and “cornered” the media contingent.
The cars stopped 30 metres from the reporters, leaving their engines running.
Fearing being robbed or abducted, the journalist made a desperate attempt to call a family member, then his employer.
Incredibly, the journalist completed his news report with the three cars in the distance keeping their headlights on. He believes the sight of his colleague being on the phone, appearing to call police, may have saved their lives.
“It was the most terrifying experience of my life,” he said.
Just 24 hours earlier, another Australian rugby league reporter was confronted by a man wielding a knife while preparing a report in Santa Monica.
The man produced the knife within metres of the reporter after accusing the journalist of damaging his nearby car.
When the reporter denied any wrongdoing, the man reportedly put his knife away and left the scene immediately.
The Broncos wrapped up their final training session in Los Angeles on Thursday (AEDT) ahead of their arrival in Vegas the following day for their clash with the Roosters at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.
“To be honest, as Australian media covering the NRL, we were not fully aware of the dangers of working at night in this country,” the reporter said.
“We were simply naive.
“Everybody talks about LA being dangerous and coming from Australia.
“This is a great city but it’s a dangerous city after dark if you get off the bright lights in isolated areas.
“I’m just relieved we came out in one piece.”
Brisbane prop Payne Haas said Broncos players had been briefed on the potential pitfalls of going out at night in Los Angeles, which has a population of 3.8 million.
“A few of the boys went to Universal Studios yesterday, it was a pretty cool experience, but we are here to prep for a game of footy, not a holiday,” Haas said.
“The Rams have been big on security and explained to us what to do and what not to do around here.
“They have been pretty helpful, we are grateful to have that security around us.”
NRL CONFIRMS US SL INTEREST
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has confirmed for the first time that the ARL Commission is open to buying a stake in Super League giving the governing body potential control of the two biggest rugby league competitions in the world.
With the English game at the crossroads an injection from the NRL could help rejuvenate the Super League and push ahead with the NRL’s plans to grow the game internationally.
Abdo, speaking to Sport Confidential from Las Vegas, said there were obvious benefits in aligning the two competitions by taking a stake in the English side of the game. “Theoretically, you can see the value,” Abdo said. “Now we need to go and practically test that and have a conversation with Super League. Our board is open to doing that.”
“There are synergies across three areas – there are synergies with revenues, there are synergies in costs and there are synergies with the actual athletes, clubs and competitions. “If we can get that in sync around time of year and we can have a better relationship with them, it can only be good.”
Super League has laboured in recent years but the NRL now has the financial muscle to at least consider investing in the English game. Only last week, the ARL Commission announced another monster profit for the 2023 season – a surplus of nearly $60 million.
Abdo acknowledged the international game would also benefit from a strong Super League competition. The NRL has become a driving force in the Pacific and is now trying to crack the American market.
“It is also looking at the health of Super Leagues,” Abdo said. “This is another aspect of the international strategy. We want Super League to be firing, the northern hemisphere to be growing.
“We’re open to discussing ways we can work together with Super League.”
The Super League clubs have held up their end of the bargain in recent years with St Helens and Wigan toppling the high flying Panthers to be crowned World Champions in back to back seasons.
WATCH: TEDDY FINDS NEED FOR SPEED
It’s time to light up Vegas, Teddy.
A 15 session crash course in speed training has Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco running his quickest in more than three seasons with leading sprint coach Roger Fabri declaring: “I’d be disappointed if we weren’t talking about him having one of his greatest years.”
Tedesco, 31, trained with Fabri three times a week over a five week period in late December through January and the results have been remarkable.
The champion Roosters, NSW and Kangaroos fullback has looked sharp and focused during his club’s week-long camp in Los Angeles.
In his first session under Fabri in late December, Tedesco ran 60 metres in 7.58 seconds. Five weeks later, Tedesco was running 7.21.
Bulldogs flyer Bronson Xerri – who has been working on his speed for the past two years – is running 6.90 seconds at aged 23. Tedesco is 31 years old.
“It shows me the ingredients of a person who wants to be remembered as one of the greatest of all-time,” Fabri said.
Tedesco will show off his increased pace in front of 35,000 fans at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium this coming Sunday against Brisbane.
Fabri was stunned that Tedesco, despite having achieved just about everything in rugby league, still harboured an insatiable desire to become better and quicker.
“He’s not going to lose his playing ability so you’re still going to the guy who has high passions and can read the game. I’m pretty sure you’re going to see a guy who will back himself if he makes a break rather than offloading.
“James takes pride in how he will exit the game – that’s what GOATS do. I will be disappointed if we’re not talking about him having one of the greatest years he has had.”
Tedesco and Fabri worked together in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, along with Roosters teammate Dom Young.
Criticism over his form last year, and questions about his place in the NSW side, has driven Tedesco to shut down his critics.
“Here is a guy who is 31 and has no point to prove, has achieved everything in the game, but this is where players like him differentiate themselves,” Fabri said.
“You get great athletes who are happy to be great the GOAT’s, the ones who are the greatest of all time, even at their older age, won’t accept mediocrity.
“James had pressure on him last season as far as his State of Origin form was concerned. There are two ways you can react – you either let your reputation speak for itself or you do something that you’ve never done and reinvent your feet.
“The one thing I said to him at a function was: ‘You’re silly if you ever think you’ve got to your speed potential because your mechanics are nowhere near clean.
“I’m not saying he will be able to catch these people who make breaks on you but I’m saying they won’t be able to run away from you. That’s all he needed to hear. I told him the ball was in his court.
“I have trained the highest-level athletes all around the world and the work ethic and attention to detail of James, who is in the twilight of his career, was nothing short of sensational.
“He never missed a session and quizzed after each session to try and see what more he could take out of it.”
NRL LAUNCHES IN US APP STORE
The NRL has released the NRL App into US app stores so fans in the US can download it. The move is part of the continued push to engage with new and existing fans in the US, alongside the Las Vegas double header.
For those travelling from Australia to the US with the app it will still work but update in line with the region. Previously the NRL App has only been available in Australia.
This comes with nrl.com having a dedicated Las Vegas landing page, incorporating all the latest news, videos, ticketing and match centre up dates relevant to the event.
NRL COMBINE DOCUMENTS REVEALED
So you want to be a first-grader? Sport Confidential has obtained the 44-page document handed to the athletes who will compete at the NRL combine this weekend. Twenty five men and women will be put through a range of fitness and skills under the watchful eye of Jillaroos coach Brad Donald who is part of the judging panel. A potential contract is on the line for two men and two women.
To help the athletes the NRL put together an information pack complete with the basic rules of rugby league.
They also detail testing benchmarks and outline a host of training methods to help with their preparation.
NRL boss Andrew Abdo also wrote a welcome.
“The talent combine offers a chance for aspiring athletes to showcase their talents and potentially earn an opportunity to travel to Australia to train with an elite team,” Abdo said.
GORDIE TAKES CHARGE
Who better to look after the NRL’s most prized possession than The Raging Bull – Gorden Tallis?
Tallis was this week appointed ‘Head of NRL Security in Las Vegas’ to ensure the Provan-Summons Trophy made it safely to Sin City.
It may have been a tongue-in-cheek promotion with the NRL’s travel partner Fiji Airways, but you’d be game to try and snatch anything from Tallis.
Wearing Birkenstock sandals, board shorts and a suit jacket, Tallis accompanied the NRL Premiership trophy to Fiji before it headed on to Vegas.
“My job as head of security is to keep the trophy as comfortable and safe at all times,
“Protecting something of this magnitude keeps you on your toes but I think The Raging Bull’s got it covered.”
The trophy will be on show at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas this weekend for the NRL’s historic season-opener.
A Broncos legend, Tallis said he was jealous of the current Brisbane players getting to play a premiership game in the US.
“I’m loving the Vegas concept, I wish I was still playing,” he said.
“The greatest entertainers in the world want to play here.
“This is amazing for the game and it’s great rugby league is in a spot to attract sponsors like Fiji Airways.”
NO THANKS, VEGAS
Not everyone in the NRL is wishing they were in Las Vegas this week.
Titans coach Des Hasler had enough on his plate this pre-season without having to worry about the logistics of the NRL’s United States venture.
“I’m really pleased not to be in Vegas,” Hasler said.
“It’s an exciting time but I’m working out all the hard parts.
“Hopefully we get a chance to go in a couple of years’ time.”
The Dolphins have jumped on the Broncos’ absence and are promoting they will be the only Brisbane team playing at Suncorp Stadium next weekend when they host the Cowboys.
Dolphins prop Jarrod Wallace said he wasn’t suffering from ‘FOMO’ – Fear of Missing Out.
“What do you mean? We’re about to open up in Bris-Vegas, baby, that’s what we’re about,” he said.
“Two big Queensland sides playing in Bris-Vegas in two weeks’ time. That’s going to be a huge clash.
“I’m super excited to play. I’m sick of running. It’s hot and I’m excited to play footy.”
BRISBANE’S FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-HAIR
Meet the Broncos’ Fresh Prince of Bel-Hair.
Brisbane’s fashionista Ezra Mam is determined to look the part in Las Vegas with the young gun to take on the Roosters at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday sporting a slick new set of braids.
From painting his fingernails to wearing shorts and white socks at Brisbane’s black tie awards night, the trendsetting Mam walks to the beat of his own drum and he is primed for some hair-raising brilliance in Sin City.
The Broncos hired one of Los Angeles’ finest hairdressers to give their stars a fresh look ahead of the NRL’s history-making big night out in the 2024 season opener in Vegas.
Just two days ago, Mam had his usual fuzzy-haired look at Broncos training, but within 24 hours, the classy pivot was rocking some finely manicured cornrows regularly seen of America’s biggest NBA and NFL stars.
The Broncos arrive in Vegas on Friday ahead of the Roosters blockbuster and Mam will showcase his new look to a fresh audience when Brisbane go live on prime time American television via Fox Sports 1.
“It’s something new from ‘Ez’,” Broncos centre Selwyn Cobbo said with a grin.
“He just got it done the other night, he is growing an afro now.
“I don’t know what kind of style he is going for.
“Maybe ‘Walshy’ did (the braiding for Mam), they are roommates so maybe it was him.”
NRL AMERICA TARGETS BELLAMY’S MAN
Rugby League America chiefs are targeting Storm football boss Frank Ponissi to lead the code in the United States.
Sport Confidential can reveal RLA bosses believe Ponissi would be the perfect option as the inaugural chief executive of a proposed 10-team US super league competition, due to kick off next year.
Ponissi has been a trusted ally to Storm super coach Craig Bellamy over the past two decades, playing a pivotal role in Melbourne’s emergence as an NRL powerhouse.
Underlining his respect in the code, the veteran administrator has been appointed as NSW team manager for this year’s Origin series under new Blues coach Michael Maguire.
Channel 9 kingpin Karl Stefanovic has purchased an equity stake in the American league and RLA consortium boss Steve Scanlan confirmed Ponissi is on their radar to lead a US revolution.
“Frank Ponissi is one guy we will definitely be looking at as the first CEO,” Scanlan said.
“Frank is an excellent operator, he is someone we would absolutely love to have involved.
“We don’t know Frank’s current situation with Melbourne but he is the calibre of person we want involved.
“He has been around rugby league for 40 years and has been across all levels, so a person like Frank would be ideal to establish an elite American competition that will stand the test of time.”
US ORIGIN’S NO GO
Wayne Bennett has warned the NRL not to play State of Origin in America as the code prepares for its historic season launch in Las Vegas.
There has been a push for the NRL to bring the code’s showpiece – State of Origin – to the United States in what would be the greatest advertisement of the code’s athletes to casual American sporting fans.
State of Origin was famously played at Long Beach, California in 1987, with the Blues winning the fourth exhibition game 30-18 over Queensland, who were coached by Bennett.
Bennett has made numerous trips to America during his time as Broncos coach studying NFL setups and while he is supportive of the Vegas double header, he says the US is not ready for another Origin game 40 years later.
“I don’t know about playing Origin in America,” he said.
“We went there in 1987 and it was a great idea.
“I wouldn’t totally rule out doing it again, but Americans have to get to know rugby league properly before they start worrying about Origin and what happens between states here.
“They don’t understand the tribalism of Origin.
“The Americans can relate to some of our club teams because they know nicknames like the Broncos and Dolphins from their sports, but we need a proper connection with the game before we even worry about State of Origin in America.”
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys says the code is in no rush to take Origin to the Land of Opportunity.
“We’re not going to make a kneejerk decision on Origin,” he said.
“We’ve got a five-year plan to play games in Vegas and we’ll go from there. It’s important we see how the first double header goes and we’ll be doing a full analysis after that.”
ALL EYES ON VEGAS NINES
Australian talent scouts will also cast an eye on the rugby league nine’s tournament played across two days in Las Vegas. There are some cool team names to among the 33 competing including; BC Bulldogs, Boston 13’s, Herriman Roosters, Roots Rugby Family, Sacramento Immortals, Team Airlocker and West Side Pit Bulls.
And our favourite team name? The LA Mongrel.
SOUTHS MAKE THEIR MARK ON THE STATES
South Sydney have ensured they are leaving their mark in the US by donating about $10,000 worth of training gear to local rugby league clubs.
The Rabbitohs will leave everything they arrived with in the US to Pacific Coast Rugby League and San Diego Barracudas Rugby League clubs.
“We wanted to leave a bit of a legacy,” South Sydney’s chief commercial officer Brock Schaefer told colleague David Riccio.
“We’re all of our training equipment. Hit pads, shields, balls. We want to make sure there is something from South Sydney to support the local game here.
“It’s equipment they just don’t have access to. It’s a small donation but it will have a pretty positive impact on the game.”
NRL star charged with threatening police
Canberra Raiders veteran player Josh Papalii has been charged over an ugly confrontation with police inside a licensed venue, just weeks before he won a prestigious award.
‘Sprays me every game’: How Luai’s tough love transformed Penrith star
Panthers young gun Paul Alamoti has praised Jarome Luai for helping turning his NRL career around, crediting some of the five-eighth’s savage sprays for turning him into a grand final player.