The Roosters men’s team will be coached by premiership-winner Luke Keary and includes a healthy dose of the club’s emerging players, among them the talented Lachie Dooner. Roosters chairman Nick Politis has long been a fan of trying to grow the game in the United States, especially California, and the club established the LA Roosters last year.

Air V’landys makes it to Vegas

NRL leaders Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo eventually landed in Las Vegas on Wednesday Australian time after the Qantas charter flight they were on with other prominent figures in the game was turned around due to airconditioning issues.

The travel hiccup caused quite the stir after it made the news, with the phones of those on board blowing up with messages when they returned to Sydney two hours after taking off.

There was less concern on the plane, once passengers were assured the problem could be quickly remedied.

At the pointy end, 2GB Continuous Call commentator and former Bulldogs and Dragons centre Josh Morris had his Qantas pyjamas on before take-off and hit Las Vegas raring to go after eight hours sleep on the 13-hour journey.

Rugby League Players Association chief executive Clint Newton was seen having several cordial chats with V’landys and Abdo on the flight.

Seat 1A was not reserved for either of the league bosses. Instead, Matt White, best known for his motorsport coverage and now reading the sports news for Seven, had pole position.

The flight was one of four NRL charters carrying supporters of the clubs competing in Las Vegas as well as NRL executives, staff and media.

This was one heavily populated with Knights fans and, assembling in the galley, they almost drank the plane dry of James Boag’s beer in the 90 minutes it was on the ground in Sydney before setting off again.

On arrival at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, the flight was met by showgirls on the tarmac and as passengers made their way through customs.

Boxing star greets Dragons

Cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia caught up with the St George Illawarra players at the UFC headquarters in Las Vegas and was presented with a Dragons jersey. He had to discreetly point out that he was a South Sydney fan.

“I’m a Souths boy and I bleed [NSW] blue,” Opetaia said. “One of the boys made Souths when we were young, Willis Meehan. He started getting gear, so we started wearing Souths gear around.”

Loading

Opetaia has been in the US the past five weeks preparing for his next bout against American Brandon Ganton.

No shortage of NRL players have tried boxing, with their bouts often receiving more publicity than genuine fighters like Opetaia.

“But I’ve never had a problem with it,” Opetaia said. “When I turned professional, we didn’t have people on the world stage like myself or Tim Tzsyu putting in big fights.

“I’ve fought on Paul Gallen’s undercard, and people can throw shade, but he allowed me to showcase my skills. If you’re a good fighter, the world titles will come, so just shut up and do your job.”

Still on the Dragons, the players spent their day off enjoying a round at the Las Vegas National Golf Club. Recruit Daniel Atkinson, Damien Cook, Blake Lawrie and Hamish Stewart took the cash.

Bulldog’s image up in lights

There are billboards wherever you look in Las Vegas but seeing your own face on one of them would be something else.

That was the case for Canterbury forward Harry Hayes, whose image has featured on the giant advertising screen adorning Allegiant Stadium.

“We drove past [the stadium] on the way in the first night, and we drive past it every day. The first day, Harry Hayes was up on the screen. He was very impressed with himself,” joked Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston.

Canterbury trained on Wednesday Australian time at the UFC gym, where mixed-martial arts Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin and UFC featherweight Diego Lopes were spotted.

Also there was Willie Peters’ Hull KR team, fresh from their triumph over the Broncos in the World Club Challenge.

While the NRL players here have been out and about in Las Vegas before settling into pre-game preparations, the short turnaround from that game means the Hull KR squad will wait until after their match against Leeds Rhinos on the weekend to explore the city after dark.