The NRL sides that will play in Las Vegas next year have been revealed – and there has been an update on the possible involvement of two of Super League ‘s leading clubs.
The first professional rugby league matches in the States were played in Round One of the 2024 NRL season, as over 40,000 fans turned up for the historic double-header.
Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles and South Sydney Rabbitohs took part.
The NRL has, since then, been interested in returning for the 2025 season, and the four sides playing next year will, reportedly, be confirmed this week.
According to the Courier Mail in Australia, those teams will be Canberra Raiders, Penrith Panthers, NZ Warriors and Cronulla Sharks; these sides were long rumoured to be the frontrunners to take part in the event.
The Panthers had a particular interest in moving a home game away from their usual ground, CommBank Stadium, as it’s being rebuilt at the end of the 2024 season.
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This year has seen plenty of prominent figures Down Under suggesting how Super League could help to grow the game.
A large number of fans travelled to the 2024 Vegas games from the United Kingdom, something which caught the eye of senior NRL officials.
The RFL told Serious About Rugby League: “The possibility of UK involvement in Las Vegas is one of a number of areas we have been discussing positively with the NRL in recent months.”
England’s women’s team are already set to play against Australia as part of the event, but it’s also expected that two Super League sides will play each other too.
According to AAP News, as was expected, Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves are the most likely sides to take part.
The Wolves, coached by South Sydney Rabbitohs legend Sam Burgess, are a logical choice, and the Warriors, who currently hold all four major trophies, will be well known to the Australian audience thanks in no small part to their World Club Challenge victory over Penrith Panthers.
The game would, of course, be a ‘replay’ of this year’s Challenge Cup final.
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