Sport Confidential: Seven NRL clubs reject playing in historic double header in Las Vegas
SPORT CONFIDENTIAL: The Wallabies have been dealt a blow with one of Eddie Jones’ key offsiders defecting to the Sea Eagles.
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The race to Vegas is down to 10. Sport Confidential can reveal that more than half the teams in the competition have formally expressed a desire to be part of the historic double header in Las Vegas next year after being contacted by the NRL this week.
The clubs that are keen include Manly, Cronulla, Bulldogs, Brisbane, South Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Dolphins, Roosters and Gold Coast.
Some clubs including North Queensland, Wests Tigers and Penrith have expressed an interest in travelling to the US in 2025.
The Panthers want to delay their involvement until they have come clarity around plans for their stadium, which is likely to undergo significant renovation in coming years.
The Warriors are focused on growing the game in New Zealand. They understood the push for an “Australian Week” of festivities meant they were unlikely to be selected.
Clubs including Canterbury want to be considered as an away team only. This comes after clubs received a document from NRL boss Andrew Abdo on Monday asking them to demonstrate why they should be part of the landmark double header in America.
“The NRL has received significant interest from clubs to participate in this inaugural event and will consider the information requested below to allow the commission to determine the most optimal combination of teams for 2024 and beyond,” the email states.
“The NRL values what clubs will bring to this concept and, importantly, the engagement of as many fans as possible for this unique and exciting opportunity and experience.
“The NRL’s primary objective is to maximise stadium attendance and establish a solid foundation for a strong connection with the US market in future seasons.
“We are actively seeking partnerships with clubs to achieve this.”
The document confirmed some of the details around the historic games. They will be played on March 2 in Las Vegas and be broadcast back into Australia on March 3.
Kick-off will be at 6pm and 830pm local time, meaning they will be screened in Australia at 1pm and 3.30pm. The matches will be played at Allegiant Stadium and teams playing in Las Vegas will be given the week off the following week, when the remaining 13 teams will kick off their seasons. Essentially they will be playing in round zero.
Two teams will arrive on February 26 and two other teams will arrive the next day. The head coach and squads of 22 players will fly business class and accommodation will be provided for up to six nights with teams to leave on either March 3 or 4.
Clubs were asked to nominate whether they are interested in participating in Las Vegas in the inaugural season only or on a recurring basis over ensuing years.
The NRL has plans to take the match to the US for five years and could potentially rotate teams to ensure everyone who wants a crack gets one.
They were also asked to nominate what commercial fee they would want to be the home team and what sort of marketing support they can provide for the concept.
This is where the likes of Manly and South Sydney may have a competitive advantage thanks to the support of high-profile acts Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.
“Include any aspects of value that your club and stakeholders can bring in order to make the event successful including awareness, fan travel and corporate/ticketing opportunities,” the email states.
The NRL has already reached out to Jackman to see whether he would be interested in performing in Las Vegas as part of an Australian Week celebration. There are plans for a UFC bout to be headlined by an Australian as well as a boxing fight.
The clubs were further asked to demonstrate whether they saw any opportunities for player development in the USA.
“If so, how do you intend to capitalise on these?” the email states.
FLASHBACK
Tennis ace Mark Philippoussis was front page news on this day 20 years ago. Philippoussis lost to Roger Federer in what was a sign of things to come with Federer winning his first grand slam title. Federer won in straight sets 7-6 6-2 7-6.
COWBOYS CIRCLE EX-HALF
Wests Tigers have been offered Jake Clifford but a North Queensland homecoming looms more likely for the ex-Cowboys and Newcastle playmaker
Clifford joined Hull FC this year but is expected to return to the NRL in 2024.
The Cowboys have discussed signing the 25-year-old to add some depth to their halves.
The Tigers have been linked with every available half at the moment given their only contracted playmaker is the injured Adam Doueihi.
Clifford’s name has come across their desk in recent days as has the likes of Brodie Croft and Jack Cogger.
Clifford left the NRL at the end of last season after an unhappy two-year stint at the Knights. He was once earmarked as Johnathan Thurston’s long-term replacement at the Cowboys. Hull FC remain in finals contention this year.
DRAGONS EYE INTERNATIONAL HOOKER
St George Illawarra are interested in PNG international hooker Edwin Ipape who is playing for Leigh in the Super League.
Ipape has been a standout performer for Leigh this season and impressed plenty during the end of season World Cup. He sits eighth on the Man of Steel award tally. The Dragons are looking at the 24-year-old after incoming coach Shane Flanagan worked with Ipape as part of the PNG set-up last year.
He was previously contracted to the Sea Eagles and represented Manly at the pre-season nine’s tournament before Covid-19 hit.
The Dragons are looking to make moves in the player market. They have expressed an interest in talking to Titans pair David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
CLICK TICKING FOR TITANS DUO
As clubs line up to poach David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui from the Gold Coast, Sport Confidential can reveal that the clock is ticking.
Under the terms of the clauses inserted in the contracts of the respective Queensland stars, both men have three months from the date of Justin Holbrook’s sacking to explore the market.
Sport Con further understands that the clause allows both of them to leave either immediately or for next season.
It means that once Origin is out of the way, the pair will need to move quickly if they are to explore their options and make a final call on their future.
It is understood it would take something special to convince the pair to leave the Gold Coast given their attachment and belief in the Titans.
WHEELCHAIR ORIGIN
State of Origin is only days away, but before then Queensland and NSW will meet in the wheelchair state game.
The game, to be played at the Whitlam Centre on Saturday afternoon, will see Queensland defend the title they won last year.
SEA EAGLES DELIVER ANOTHER BLOW TO RUGBY
Manly have struck another blow in the fight against rugby union after strengthening their football department with the addition of one of Eddie Jones’ right-hand men.
The Sea Eagles have signed Wallabies strength and conditioning coach Jon Clarke to join their ranks once the World Cup is over, his recruitment coming on the back of several major player signings.
Clarke is a former rugby league player who spent more than a decade at the top of the game in Super League, including a stint alongside Manly coach Anthony Seibold at the London Broncos.
He also played three Tests for Great Britain before becoming a strength and conditioning coach. He worked alongside Jones at 2019 World Cup before joining him in the Wallabies set-up.
Seibold knew him through their time together with England and snuck under Jones’ guard to recruit Clarke — he will join Manly once his World Cup commitments are over later this year.
“I played with him a few years ago at London, but I also worked with him at English rugby,” Seibold said.
“He is a quality operator. He will be a big addition for us. For the last six years he has been with Eddie.
“When Eddie came across to the Wallabies, he wanted to bring him. So he has come across here. He has always had an ambition to come to the NRL — he used to talk to me about it when we worked together at English rugby.
“We did the deal with him well in advance of Eddie coming to the Wallabies. He will be a real good addition for us and you know what Eddie is like — he doesn’t suffer fools.”
PUB BARONS BACK TOP DOGS
The Bulldogs’ major sponsor has backed the brains trust of Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo in the face of criticism over the slow progress of the club’s recovery.
Craig Laundy, whose company Laundy Hotels has a potential 10-year agreement in place with the Bulldogs, insists they are on the right track.
“There is a plan,” Laundy said.
“Gus has had some stuff to say but we sit back and we have confidence in Cam, in Gus, in the board and in the direction it is going.
“The reason we signed on long term was because we knew it was a long-term project. There are no jitters whatsoever with us.
“We are happy to help if they think we can help.”
DALLY M SIN BIN
The NRL has confirmed Dally M eligibility and penalty in the event of on-field suspensions in line with this year’s introduction of two judges adjudicating each match.
Under the new judging system – with two judges per game — each match of suspension will occur a six-point deduction, rather than the previous three- point deduction for each match.
This brings the suspension deduction in line with the maximum number of points a player can receive in a given week, based on two judges and a three-point vote for each.
Eligibility rules remain unchanged meaning any player who is suspended for two or more matches in one season automatically ruled ineligible for the Dally M Awards.
The NRLW will have the same rules.
Payne Haas was leading (30 points) when the count went behind closed doors. Penrith’s Nathan Cleary (27) was next followed by Harry Grant (25), Nicho Hynes (25) and Reece Walsh (24).
Walsh’s suspension rules for abusing a match official him out of Dally M contention.
RETURN OF CHEESE
Brandon Smith is expected to return to the field via reserve grade this weekend with the Kiwi Test star relegated to NSW Cup to find some fitness and form. Smith will make his comeback from a broken thumb for the Roosters NSW Cup team with the NRL side having the bye. He has not played since round 13.
The Roosters are also hopeful Sam Walker can play reserve grade too but he needed a final fitness test on his knee before he is given clearance to play.
The Roosters play the Knights in NSW Cup on Sunday.
ANDO HONOURED
Former South Sydney and Balmain coach-turned-commentator Bill Anderson was recognised for his contribution to sport this month.
Anderson was honoured with a distinguished long service award at the NSW Community Sports Awards for his services to cricket. He has volunteered at Randwick Petersham Cricket Club continuously for 23 seasons and previously with Petersham-Marrickville.
RAIDERS RELEASE
Canberra have released back-up half Brad Schneider immediately to join Super League club Hull KR. The 22-year-old played 12 games for the Raiders since making his debut in 2021.
Originally published as Sport Confidential: Seven NRL clubs reject playing in historic double header in Las Vegas
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