Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves could be the ideal curtain raiser for supporters in Las Vegas in March. That’s the belief of Wigan’s Kruise Leeming who believes fans will be in a treat as the two clubs go at it hammer and tongs in order to get the win for their supporters at the Allegiant Stadium.
The Super League round three clash is the first of four rugby league matches being played at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders on March 1. An NRL fixture between Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors follows before a women’s Test match between Australia and England takes place. The festival of rugby league will be rounded off by Penrith Panthers versus Cronulla Sharks.
Of course, both Wigan and Warrington are expected to challenge next season with the former looking to build on their history making quadruple winning season, while the latter are approaching their second season with Sam Burgess at the helm. It promises to be an intriguing clash then and neither side will want to leave Nevada empty handed.
“I’m glad we’re playing a rival team like Warrington because every game we’ve played them this year has been a great spectacle for fans and good games to watch,” Leeming told Super League about the trip to Vegas. “I watched one whilst I was injured, and I certainly enjoyed it. I’m glad it’s a team we know who’s going to be a great opposition.
“As players we obviously want to come away with the two points, but it’s such a massive stage for us to put our sport in the shop window and we want nothing but a tight, tough, gruelling game.
“We know how good Warrington are, how good they were last year, and they beat us in easy fashion at home which not a lot of teams got to do. It’s a bit of a grudge match between us and Warrington but I’m just happy it’s turned out that way for fans.
“From a player’s point of view, we know how tough it’s going to be but it’ll great spectacle, and the travelling fans of Wigan and Warrington deserve that – they’re coming over and spending their hard-earned money to come and watch us.
“We’ll be going as hard as we can to get the win for them and we know Warrington will be doing the exact same. Fans want to see the best teams fighting each other to take home the prize of the two points and I think that’ll bring the best out in both teams.”
Leeming has recently been spotted sampling what Vegas has to offer with the hooker joining Warrington Wolves’ Matty Ashton at a number of events across the city, including the Formula One. The pair also took in an NFL match between the Raiders and Denver Broncos at the Allegiant Stadium, where Wigan Warriors will be taking on Warrington.
“It was a surreal atmosphere,” Leeming added. “It was brilliant and I was watching it from a different lens, whereas before when watching games, I’m either watching Rugby League on Sky Sports or just as big sporting events, but I’ve never had the chance of envisaging myself playing at that venue.
“So, although I was watching the NFL game as a spectator and a fan, I also had one eye on us [Wigan] being there in March. I was looking at how wide the pitch looked, where the fans would be sitting, where I could imagine my family sitting, where we’d come out of the tunnel and dugout to train, where the scoreboard and big screen would be – all those different things.
“I wasn’t just watching the NFL; I was also watching it to get an insight to see what it would be like when we’d get there.”
He added: “Anytime we get chance to showcase what a great brand and sport we are we’ve never disappointed before. Just look at Magic Weekend – all fans are under the same roof with different teams, and it’s always been great and exciting – and that’s what I imagined happened last time out with the NRL in Las Vegas.
“In Super League, we’ve always embraced that coming together and it’s such a proud thing as players to see that fans can do that in our sport, because it’s something you can’t do in many others.
“I just think what a testament to our sport that we can put all those fans under one roof where it’s a fantastic and enjoyable experience – that’s what sport is all about – the entertainment, putting smiles on people’s faces and about the younger generation looking up to us players and being inspired.”
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