NRL teams get their first look inside Allegiant Stadium as Las Vegas season opener nears
Rugby league’s Las Vegas takeover has extended to the field at Allegiant Stadium, with players soaking up their first experience on the turf ahead of the NRL season opener. WATCH THE VIDEO.
Staff members have been popping popcorn inside Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, for the past three days.
More than 5000 hot dogs are being prepared. Budweiser kegs are being tapped into the stadium’s 29 bars.
On a giant electric tray, the playing field — five metres narrower compared to a regular NRL field and nine metres shorter — has been rolled in.
The NRL has shipped 350 Steeden footballs among 22 tons of equipment and after travelling 10,993km from Sydney, the stage is set for rugby league’s greatest launch party of all-time.
Eight teams and four games will create history on Sunday with the NRL’s opening round extravaganza in America’s favourite party city, Las Vegas.
“When I was a kid playing for the Umina Bunnies, who would’ve thought we’d be on the big stage in Las Vegas playing the game we loved growing up,’’ Sharks star Nicho Hynes said.
“It’s really exciting. Not many people get to say they can do this and we’re just really grateful to the NRL and everyone here, who have done such a great job to make this happen.’’
On Friday, teams got their first glimpse inside Allegiant Stadium.
Penrith prop Moses Leota sprawled out on the grass, getting a feel for the surface. Nathan Cleary looked to the edges, seemingly judging distances for his all-important kicking game.
It was a case of ‘When in Rome’ for Andrew Webster’s New Zealand Warriors, who broke out into an impromptu game of NFL at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Come Sunday, though, it will be all about business. Big business for the NRL.
A crowd of more than 45,000 is expected to attend the fully enclosed Allegiant Stadium, exceeding last year’s crowd figure of 40,746, when walk-up sales were thwarted by 100km/h winds. The weather gods have been kind this time around.
“We’re making history, this is the first time we’re going to have an NRL premiership fixture and a Super League premiership fixture together in the same stadium,’’ NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“What a place to do it in Las Vegas.’’
As Abdo suggested, rugby league’s moment to shine will kick-off at 8.30am (AEDT) with the Sam Burgess-coached Warrington taking on Wigan, who boast the Man of Steel and former Eels fullback, Bevan French.
Ever since touching down in Nevada, the 10,000 supporters from England have been making more noise than Aussie DJ Fisher’s set list has at the nightclub inside Caesars Palace.
“I can’t believe the energy in the joint,’’ Australian businessman and Roosters board member Mark Bouris said.
“Having International players and teams here is absolutely fantastic.
“Every single person I’ve spoken to who is American has asked me the difference between rugby union and rugby league.
“And I just keep saying rugby league is more brutal.
“And every single American says I love that.
“We’ve just got to get that message out more and more.’’
The Raiders will officially launch the NRL season by tackling the Warriors at 11am (AEDT).
With a potential audience reach of millions, the match will be shown live in the US on the main Fox Sports channel, which recently broadcast the Super Bowl.
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said controlling his players’ emotions was key, while admitting he will continue his game-day ritual of coaching from the sideline – a decision made easier by the incredible height of the coaches boxes and far-flung distance from the field.
“I’ve spoken to the boys about their emotions and I need the senior players to help in that regard,’’ Stuart said.
“We’ve got a number of senior players who have been involved in this type of atmosphere.
“I’ve also got debutants and younger players that have only played one or two seasons of first grade and haven’t had that type of experience.
“Kids today are all fairly confident and got a bit of spunk about them.
“They’re chomping at the bit for the experience and also the opportunity in front of them.’’
In a magical moment for the women’s game, the Jillaroos will play a Test match against the Lionesses of England at 1pm (AEDT) and aim to launch the career of new coach Jess Skinner in style.
“We want to start the year off with a bang,’’ Jillaroos captain Kezie Apps said.
Rugby league’s showcase event will conclude with premiers Penrith facing a pumped-up Sharks side at 3.30pm (AEDT).
The Panthers will start favourites with the bookmakers to beat a Cronulla side that will unveil high-profile recruit Addin Fonua-Blake for the first time.
However, a sense of wait-and-see has descended over the champions following the departure of two of the greatest contributors over the past five years, Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers) and James Fisher Harris (Warriors).
Brian To’o (hamstring) has also withdrawn from the match.
“It’s the start of a new season and everyone wants to get off to a good start,’’ Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said.
“We’re not different. We’ve seen a lot of different things this week. You can really feel that the game is going to be one of those games where whoever manages that the best will probably end up having a good chance to win.’’
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