Watch: NRL field rolls into Allegiant Stadium for round 1 Las Vegas double-header in Las Vegas
Preparations for the NRL’s historic Las Vegas season opener have ramped up with the field rolling in to Allegiant Stadium. WATCH THE VIDEO
It was akin to rolling out the red carpet as the NRL’s grass field took its place inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
In a momentous moment for rugby league, the field for Sunday’s historic season-opening double header was rolled in on a giant electric tray, measuring around 1.5 metres in height.
The Vegas venue has an artificial surface and a grass field, the latter of which can be wheeled in and out of the AU$2.9 billion indoor stadium.
On Thursday evening, local time, the pulley engines kickstarted, the electronic signal tone sounded and rugby league had an instant field inside the famous arena.
Shortly after, goalposts for an NRL competition game were erected in the United States for the first time.
It took an hour for the field to be loaded back into the stadium from outside, where it had sat
since the NFL’s Super Bowl was played there on February 12.
After a fortnight of sunlight and constant watering, it was time to move it back into place.
Once inside, stadium staff assembled the goalposts and history was made.
“Being able to see the field in such magnificent condition, going into the stadium, it’s pretty historic, pretty special,” said NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.
“This has to be one of the best stadiums in the world, certainly one of the newest. They’ve just played the Super Bowl here and we’re about to open the NRL season here. It’s pretty special and a great moment for our sport.”
It will be the same turf used for the Super Bowl — when Kansas City defeated San Francisco — with faded NFL markings now covered over.
The grass was lush and green and staff have also started on padding the ground’s perimeter, which sits cautiously close to the sidelines.
“It was quite a poignant moment seeing the NRL paint being painted over the Super Bowl paint – the NRL taking over the NFL,” Abdo said.
“Until I got too close to the rope they were using to paint the sideline and I got it all over my suit just before an interview. That was fun.
“But it’s incredible to see the NRL logos and partners on the field. It’s a magnificent stadium and obviously highly technical.
“There have been milestones along the way and this was another milestone. This stadium is all about fan experience.”
Local tips there could be as many as 5000 walk-up fans on Sunday, which could push the attendance past 45,000.
“It has been terrific to see the players engaging in the community over the last few days,” Abdo said.
“It’s also been terrific to see fans walking round the streets of Vegas, all in their (NRL) jumpers.
“And it’s not just the four teams playing – I’ve seen Dragons jumpers. Wests Tigers jumpers. It has been a great atmosphere. It feels like Magic Round, just Magic Round in Las Vegas, which is at another level.”
MARKING ITS TERRITORY
This is the iconic moment when rugby league grass and markings started to be transported into Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
The grass had remained outside the indoor stadium since February 12’s NFL Super Bowl to secure sun and will literally be rolled inside the arena on an electric tray with wheels.
Ground staff were using special paint to mark NRL lines on Wednesday morning and completed the task on Thursday.
It is the same turf used for the Super Bowl - when Kansas City defeated San Francisco - with faded NFL markings still slightly visible.
Once the white line markings have been completed, the grass will be shifted inside and the goalposts will be assembled.
The grass is shifted along ground level under the stadium seating. The tray is around 1.5 metres high.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo was at Allegiant Stadium to watch the markings being painted.
“There’s a lot of work that has gone into the preparation for these games and one is transforming an NFL stadium into an NRL stadium, including the turf,” Abdo said.
“Today we got an opportunity to see the first lick of NRL paint on the turf and it was quite a symbolic moment for the game.
“It’s been great to see rugby league jerseys and jumpers all over Las Vegas and it’s great to see NRL paint on the turf.
“The field is in magnificent condition and we look forward to seeing it being rolled in on the tracks and into place.
“That’s when the goalposts will be put up and that’s another exciting milestone.
“They have had good weather here and the grass has been given plenty of sun and water.”
The Allegiant Stadium playing surface will be six metres shorter and five metres narrower than a regulation NRL ground in Australia.
“I’m not a massive fan but I do watch the NFL so it’s great to be playing at the same ground where the Super Bowl was played,” said Manly’s Tom Trbojevic.
Abdo said ticket sales for the big double-header were in the “high” 30,000’s.
“We are seeing a lot of momentum with a lot of local ticket sales,” Abdo said. “We’re hoping there will be an even bigger pick-up over the next couple of days.
“Once thing for sure, there will be a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium.”
Local tips there could be as many as 5000 walk-up fans on Sunday, remarkably pushing the attendance past 40,000.
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