NRL Las Vegas 2026: Wests Tigers rookie Heamasi Makasini eligible for United States, Kyle Flanagan forced to pay huge coffee bill, latest news, Bulldogs news

Hyped Wests Tigers rookie Heamasi Makasini is in line to become the shock new face of American rugby league – with the barnstorming winger able to play Test footy for the United States.

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This column can reveal Makasini, 18, is eligible for an America side already beginning preparations for a blockbuster return to big time international footy by the 2030 World Cup slated for here in Las Vegas.

In recent weeks, the rookie already being likened to Jonah Lomu has exploded onto the scene – scoring three tries in a trial against Sydney Roosters before then doubling down with an early ‘Try of the Year’ contender against Penrith.

Better, Wests Tigers are yet to play in this now annual NRL season opener here Stateside, meaning Makasin, who is eligible through his parents, could become something of an NRL Las Vegas poster boy as soon as next year.

All of which comes as former NRL prop Adam Woolnough also begins his exciting new life as head coach of the American national team — kicking off with a match against Scotland this Friday night in the world’s fight capital.

Still living and working in Melbourne, Woolnough has spent the past 10 years in sports administration at the elite level – most recently, as Ice Hockey Australia GM – and has just inked a two-year deal with Team USA.

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While only months into his new gig, the man who played over 150 NRL games has drawn up a blueprint that, should it come off, will see America into the 2030 World Cup proposed for Las Vegas

Asked specifically about Makasini this week, Woolnough politely declined to talk about which NRL and Super League players are eligible for the exciting transformation taking place Stateside.

“But I will say I’ve got a list of about a dozen players,” he said. “And so right now, I’m speaking with clubs, agents and players about that eligibility.

“And already, three or four players have confirmed they are keen to play.

“So for us, we are looking for young guys where this opportunity could be the start of a representative career.

“Or it could be others who have already done it for us like Cronulla’s Ronaldo Mulitalo, and I can mention him because he’s already played for USA Nines.

“Daniel Vidot is another one. He has just landed in Las Vegas today and will be playing on Friday night.”

With America currently ranked No.22 in the world, Woolnough is looking to play up to six internationals a year – against the likes of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France — to ensure they can make a run to the 2030 World Cup.

And for those keen footy fans reading this in Las Vegas, you can watch American play Scotland at Coronado High School on Friday night.

BULLDOG IN TALKS FOR UNIQUE NRL FIRST

Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton could potentially be running onto Allegiant Stadium in sunglasses this Sunday afternoon – as part of a bold proposal being discussed around Meta sunglasses.

While unlikely to get off the ground, there have been talks around having an NRL star like Crichton run out in the sunnies that record vision which, potentially, could then be shown to fans in the ultimate game day broadcast.

Already this week, Dragons centre Valentine Holmes was spotted wearing the sunglasses during a warm up for the team’s first field session in Las Vegas, while Crichton will also likely wear a pair during the Fremont St fanfest on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, Canterbury backrower Viliame Kikau says the decision by club executives to arrive in Las Vegas two days before rivals St George Illawarra – and at a significant cost – definitely gives the Bulldogs an advantage heading into Sunday’s headliner.

In other big news, Kikau has also revealed himself to now be an unabashed fan of The Eagles, after having watched the legendary American group play at The Sphere on Friday night.

“I had heard the California song before,” Kikau cackled after training this week, referencing that little number otherwise known as Hotel California. “But I didn’t know it was them.

“But now it’s being played in the team room, on the bus, everywhere we go.”

While the Bulldogs were first into town last Thursday, St George Illawarra were last into Las Vegas on Saturday morning – meaning Canterbury were already preparing for a Sunday training session as the Dragons enjoyed a night out.

“And I think that is [an advantage],” Kikau said. “Just acclimatising to weather, the environment, everything.

“By Sunday, a few of the boys actually said it felt like we had been here for a week already, just from all the parties over the first two days.

“But I’m happy we’re here now. Into game mode with everyone locked in. It’s actually been good ever since the first session we did was inside the Las Vegas Raiders amazing facility, on Astro turf.

“The only trouble is the boys have been getting dry lips. Everyone is using paw paw cream.”

Anything else?

“You can’t get away from the pokies,” Kikau cackled, “they’re everywhere we walk”.

FLANNO TAKES HUGE LAS VEGAS HIT

Please spare a thought today for Dragons No.6 Kyle Flanagan, who has taken what has to be one of the worst hits of any NRL Las Vegas week – the coffee run.

As part of preparations for this Sunday’s Allegiant Stadium blockbuster against Canterbury, Dragons players finished a field session with a conditioning game that saw the left edge and starting middles square off against the right edge and bench middles.

And the stakes were high — losers buy coffee.

Which at roughly US$15 a cup here in Las Vegas, is no small thing.

And apart from telling you that the left edge lost, there have also been whispers from inside Dragons camp suggesting said group then drew straws on who was taking the hit for all of it — and Flanagan lucked out.

Although given how twisted stories tend to get here on the strip, who knows? What we can confirm is that Dragons players are now well and truly ripping into training after a weekend which included visiting Omnia nightclub to see DJ Steve Aoki perform.

COWBOYS ANOINT CHIEF ENERGY OFFICER

North Queensland’s hyped prospect Jaxon Purdue may be too young to drink or gamble here in Las Vegas, but the young centre has still been given a key role by fellow Cowboys players.

“Yeah, I have to carry the team speaker,” he told us this week. “Being the youngest in the squad, that’s my job all week.”

Still only 20, Purdue had never been outside Australia before this trip.

“My furthest flight was Perth,” grins the Cowboy whose mum will also be making her first overseas trip later this week, when she arrives into town with a group of over 15 family and friends.

Given America’s legal drinking age is 21, Purdue stresses he has steered clear of even the $5 Budweiser deals down by Fremont Street this week. “Don’t want to get in any trouble,” he grins. “Plus, there’s also a bigger picture at play here.”

Apart from adding his name to a list of rugby league speaker carriers – which, most notably, includes Penrith Chief Energy Officer Brian To’o — Purdue says he is also looking to bring increased consistency to his game in 2026.