High excitement as Leeds Rhinos' big Las Vegas date v Hull KR finally arrives
Almost nine months after the fixture was announced, Leeds Rhinos’ big day in Las Vegas has finally arrived.
Rhinos play a Betfred Super League fixture outside Europe for the first time when they take on champions Hull KR in a round three clash. The game kicks off at 4pm local time - which is midnight in the UK - and is the first of a triple-header also involving two fixtures from the southern hemisphere’s NRL.
Rhinos put the final touches to their preparations when they visited Allegiant Stadium, home of NRL outfit Las Vegas Raiders, yesterday (Friday). The 1.9billion American dollars venue, which is staging Rugby League in Las Vegas for the third time, will be the 56th stadium Leeds have played at since the summer era began in 1996 and the most impressive.
Speaking at Rhinos’ pre-match walkabout, Rhinos second-rower James McDonnell admitted: “It’s a crazy ground and it makes me really excited for tomorrow to get to run out here.”
He said: “The only thing it kind of reminds me of is the Tottenham Stadium back in 2022 when Wigan was there for the Challenge Cup final. It has kind of got the same atmosphere to it, but I didn’t get to play in that game so it only makes me more excited to play here. “Everyone’s really excited, we’ve had a great trip so far and we really want to remember it the right way by getting the win. That will decide whether we have found memories of it or not.”
The Rhinos players have been treated like celebrities in Las Vegas with a rockstar reception at two supporters’ events, including Thursday’s Fan Fest at the Fremont Street Experience, which drew an astonishing 16,000-strong crowd. All six competing squads took turns to walk the red carpet before appearing on stage and McDonnell reflected: “That was a bit crazy, probably a once in a lifetime thing.
“You feel a bit awkward in front of so many thousands of fans and especially with the Leeds and Hull KR fans being so loud. They definitely made more noise than the Aussies fans, probably by 10 times so it was a really good experience.”
And McDonnell stressed the Leeds squad are grateful to everyone who has made the trip. Asked for his message to fans, he said: “Just a massive thank you. We know how much of a commitment it is, we know people have work and obviously it’s expensive to come out here, but it means the world to us. To have them here and for them to be here and be loud tomorrow, it will make a world of difference.”
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s coverage of Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas is in association with Betfred Super League. Saturday’s showdown between Rhinos and Hull KR at Allegiant Stadium is an early highlight of a packed year of club rugby league action which also includes the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on May 30, Magic Weekend’s blockbuster return to Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on July 4-5 and the Super League Grand Final on October 3 at Old Trafford. Experience live Super League. League Hits Different. To guarantee your place, visit Super League | Tickets.