Viva, Las Vegas.
This is the first look at the state-of-the-art $6.7 billion mega resort NRL players will call home when rugby league launches the 2024 season in Las Vegas.
Billed as the most expensive hotel-casino ever built in Nevada, Resorts World Las Vegas consists of three hotels, 3,500 rooms, nine pools and a smorgasbord or restaurants and shopping.
Situated in the heart of Sin City at the northern end of the world-famous strip, the five-star resort also consists of a 4,700-seat theatre where headline acts including Katy Perry and Celine Dion have featured.
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This will be the venue where players from the Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Sea Eagles are staying once they officially touch down in Las Vegas to launch the 2024 NRL season.
DRAGONS STATE THEIR CASE TO AFB
The Dragons have ramped up their $3 million bid to try and sign Dally M prop of the year Addin Fonua-Blake for 2025.
Fonua-Blake, 28, is currently holidaying in Bali after representing Tonga in the Mate Ma’a’s Test match series against England in the UK.
Widely-regarded as one of the best front row forwards in the NRL Fonua-Blake dropped a bombshell last week when the gun frontrower requested an immediate release from the Warriors on compassionate grounds.
The reasoning for the request is to be closer to his parents who reside in Sydney.
With St George Illawarra in the midst of a major shake-up since the arrival of new coach Shane Flanagan the Dragons have immediately set about pitching to Fonua-Blake why he should join the Red V.
A number of St George Illawarra players who also represent Tonga have been on the charm offensive about joining the Red V including Hame Sele, Moses Suli and Ben Murdoch-Masila.
Talks are expect to ramp up further when Fonua-Blake returns to Australia from holidaying in Bali.
Where it will get interesting is the Dragons are one of the few clubs who could afford to accommodate Fonua-Blake for 2024 as well.
The Warriors were swift to get on the front foot last week and stipulate the front row forward would be remaining at the club for next season.
Fonua Blake now set to stay at Warriors | 00:38
TIME’S UP FOR TEDDY
It’s time for Kangaroos captain James Tedesco to make the tough decision and retire from representative football.
At his best Tedesco was almost on par with Billy Slater and Greg Inglis as one of the greatest fullback’s of the modern generation.
But last Saturday’s shock Pacific Nations Test final loss to New Zealand only further underlined how time can catch up with even the champion players.
Tedesco is a champion and will always hold a lofty post among the greats of the game.
But after a lacklustre opening two games for NSW in this year’s State of Origin series and then the Kangaroos Pacific Nations final performance it’s become blatantly clear the no.1 needs to channel all his energy into the Sydney Roosters.
The Roosters will have some fresh edges next season in the form of Penrith enforcer Spencer Leniu and Newcastle flyer Dominic Young.
With two years remaining on his current contract in the red, white and blue it’s time for Teddy to focus purely on club football.
The Blues and Kangaroos have a wealth of options in the fullback role with Penrith’s Dylan Edwards, South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell and Manly’s Tom Trbojevic all more than capable of handling the role.
Kiwis THRASH Roos to win Pacific Champs | 02:22
MAGUIRE NSW APPOINTMENT IMMINENT
Victorious Kiwis coach Michael Maguire is tipped to be appointed as the new NSW Blues coach any day now.
The sticking point is the NSW Rugby League were initially pushing for a one-year deal whereas Maguire is asking for a two-year contract.
Maguire has already spoken to Brisbane Broncos assistant coach and champion Blues and Panthers forward John Cartwright about being one of his right hand men.
The New Zealand rugby league were initially reluctant to have Maguire remain as Kiwis coach if he also took on the NSW job but after the 30-0 demolition job of the Kangaroos last weekend the thinking has shifted.
Despite the conflict of interest to have Maguire coaching NSW – who feed directly into the Kangaroos side – and the Kiwis it appears as though it’s all going to be green lit any day now.
Given the Canberra Raiders board refused to allow Ricky Stuart to take on the NSW job and coach the Green Machine as well it’s likely Maguire’s tenure as an assistant at the Raiders will come to an end.
Kiwis Press Conference | 04:48
MAL SET FOR NEW DEAL DESPITE PACFIC FLOP
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga will be offered a two-year contract extension despite Australia’s shock loss to the Kiwis in the Pacific Nations final.
The 13th Immortal is still the right man for the job given Meninga has won 23 out of 27 Test matches since taking over the highest coaching office in the game in 2016.
The Pacific Nations final was a bad loss but given the way Meninga oversaw Australia winning the World Cup in the UK in 2022 where the Kangaroos won all six Test matches the green and gold coach clearly still has the runs on the board.
The Kangaroos playing group also needs to accept a fair degree of accountability after the Kiwi ambush in Hamilton.
Meninga is part of the solution, not part of the problem. With his current contract expiring in December the Australian Rugby League Commission is expected to soon announce a new two-year extension.
The deal will mean Meninga moves a step closer to Australia’s longest-serving coach Bob Fulton who was at the helm of the green and gold for a record 40 Test matches.
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