The four NRL clubs to take part in the 2025 event at Allegiant Stadium could be announced as early as this week.
Parramatta had expressed an interest in featuring in America,but they are likely to overlooked,especially given their disappointing form this season.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo speaks to the Today show following the season opener in Las Vegas.
This masthead can reveal plans for a Super League game,to be played for competition points before the NRL double-header,have been discussed by officials in Australia and England.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed the Super League game would kick off about lunchtime in Vegas,which would mean it is beamed into England at 9pm on a Saturday night.
The NRL noted that more than 1000 fans made their way to the US from England to watch the inaugural round-zero action featuring South Sydney,Manly,the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane.
One UK club that has strong appeal is Warrington,due to their success this year (they were third on the Super League ladder going into Saturday night’s matches),their multimillionaire music promoter owner Simon Moran and the fact they are coached by former South Sydney favourite son Sam Burgess.
NRL fans could get a close look at Sam Burgess and his Warrington Wolves in Las Vegas next year.Getty
The NRL has delayed finalising the four clubs to play in Vegas next year because of the delicate negotiations involving the Super League.
It was reported earlier this year the NRL was weighing up buying a stake in the UK competition. Playing a Super League game before the NRL will further generate interest in the competition with Australian fans.
A crowd of 40,746 attended the games in Las Vegas in March,which is expected to swell to about 60,000 with supporters flooding in from Australia and the UK.
Any Super League club involvement will not impact the World Club Challenge.
Penrith and the New Zealand Warriors have already made it clear they want to be in Las Vegas in 2025. That would mean Warriors-bound James Fisher-Harris would tackle Penrith,where he won three premierships (possibly four by the end of the season),in his first game for his new club.
Melbourne and Cronulla have also made it known they want to feature.
Manly’s Reuben Garrick scores in Las Vegas during the NRL’s season-opening double-header.NRL Photos
The Eels expressed interest to play in Vegas in 2025,but it is more likely they will now feature in 2026. Parramatta have one of the biggest supporter bases in rugby league,but the delay will allow the new Eels coach to prepare for next year’s season with minimal distractions.
Souths faded badly in the second half of last year and senior club officials have conceded the last thing they needed this year was to start life on the road in America for almost two weeks.
The Eels started interviewing candidates to replace Brad Arthur this week after he was sacked on Monday.
Chief executive Jim Sarantinos said he wanted to give the new coach a trouble-free preparation and was mindful of the logistical headaches involved with playing in Vegas.
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