Source : ABC NEWS
The NRL has confirmed the teams set to play their season openers in Las Vegas next year, while losing the Jillaroos from the slate.
The Canterbury Bulldogs will face the St George Illawarra Dragons, and the North Queensland Cowboys will take on the Newcastle Knights at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, February 28 (March 1 in Australia).
English Super League teams Hull Kingston Rovers and Leeds Rhinos will also face off.
The league’s reduction from four to three games has seen the women’s international game dropped from the schedule, which had been flagged after the Jillaroos’ 90-4 win over England this year.
Julia Robinson scored a hat-trick as the Jillaroos ran in 17 tries against England in Vegas. (Getty Images: Ezra Shaw)
The final game of the Vegas showcase — a marquee match-up between premiership contenders Penrith and Cronulla — was played out in front of noticeably fewer fans earlier this year.
Allegiant Stadium does not give pass-outs, allowing fans to leave and return later, as Lang Park does for Magic Round.
Afterwards, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said it appeared four games — two NRL, one Super League and one women’s international — made for too long a day.
“We’re looking at three next year,” he told AAP.
“[Because of the] length of day and fans leaving after their teams played.”
The NRL made clear it wanted to maintain the strong relationship with the English Super League, leaving the women’s game as the one to receive the chop.
The NRL is organising four chartered flights from Sydney, Newcastle and Townsville, each themed for the supporters of the four teams in action.
“Las Vegas has become a bucket list item for not only NRL and Super League fans but for fans of world-class sport and entertainment,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
“We’ve worked with our partners to create affordable travel packages for fans who want to take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime trip with family and friends.
“We’ve given supporters the opportunity to plan early and take advantage of special offers.”
The league said the two flights from Sydney would cost $2,800 return, while the Newcastle and Townsville flights would cost $2,990 return.
