Rugby League Las Vegas takeover set for huge boost amid star man’s fitness

The Rugby League takeover event in Las Vegas in March is in line for a huge boost regarding one of the best players in the world.

After the success that the NRL found in their 2024 season launch, rugby league is going stateside again in 2025 but this time even bigger with an international between England and Australia’s women’s side, as well as a Super League clash between champions Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves.

Those games will join two NRL fixtures in what will be a bumper day of rugby league, kicked off with the Super League clash between Wigan and Warrington and culminating with NRL champions Penrith taking on Cronulla Sharks.

The promotion of the event from all the involved parties has been ramping up with Kruise Leeming and Matty Ashton recently attending the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Meanwhile, ticket sales are reportedly soaring with Sky Sports’ Brian Carney claiming that over 10,000 Super League fans will descend on Vegas.

Those going, and watching back at home, now seem set for another major boost given the latest fitness update regarding arguably the best rugby league player in the world.

Best Rugby League player in the world in race to make Vegas

Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary is writing his name into the history books already with many believing that his career so far is already enough to put him among the best ever in the sport.

Winning a fifth consecutive Grand Final might help confirm that but there were concerns that the 27-year-old would miss some of the early season, specifically the trip to Las Vegas.

Cleary underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season sparking fears that he would miss the season launch, something that has now been commented upon by his father and head coach Ivan.

Speaking to Channel Nine News, Ivan explained: “Everything has gone smoothly in that sense and he’s extremely determined to get back onto the field as quickly as possible, which just so happens to Vegas in Round One.

“The surgeons and the doctor are quite confident that as long as he doesn’t have any set backs then he should be fine but I guess that’s the challenge.

“He’s got to do everything right and be within the boundaries so as to not push it too fast too soon but I’m very hopeful that he will be there.”

It’s almost immeasurable what a difference having the best rugby league player in the world would be to the event and Cleary certainly is that. He’ll likely have an even more prominent role in 2025 with Jarome Luai having joined Wests Tigers, forcing the Panthers to rely more on their star man.

Despite his status as the best in the world, Wigan Warriors chief Kris Radlinski turned heads recently by saying that he would not get in Wigan’s team over current playmaker Harry Smith.