Melbourne Storm football boss Frank Ponissi has lashed the NRL after his team was overlooked for the season-opener in Las Vegas in 2026 describing the decision as a “kick in the guts” for the club and rugby league in Victoria.
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The Storm were one of the frontrunners to participate in this year’s season-opening excursion to America but withdrew their application last June so they could focus their preparations closer to home.
They were again one of the favourites to be involved in 2026, but they’ve missed out with the Bulldogs, Dragons, Cowboys and Knights chosen to compete, with a Super League clash to round out the triple treat of action which won’t feature a women’s match this time around.
The Storm are one of the most successful sporting clubs in the country and have attracted a couple of sellout crowds at home already this season, with the competition heavyweights coming off a thumping 64-0 win over the Wests Tigers.
The Vegas trip is a chance to grow the game on the global stage, and Ponissi and the club are disappointed the Storm haven’t been given the chance to do it in what will be the third year of taking games to Allegiant Stadium.
“I can’t sugar-coat it, it was a kick in the guts for the club and the game down here in Victoria,” Ponissi said on SEN.
“Given the profile of the game and the media surrounding it and the way it’s started, it would have been fantastic (to be heading over there).
“To miss out again is disappointing for the club and the game in Victoria.
“We’ve just got to swallow our pride and not feel sorry for ourselves because we’ve got more important things to worry about this year.
NRL announce season openers in Vegas | 01:38
“It would’ve been nice, but we can’t dwell on it and we’ve got to move on and make sure we have a really good Origin period over the next six weeks.”
While no official reason has been provided, Ponissi said the club must move on ahead of a challenging game against the Sharks on Saturday where skipper Harry Grant is expected to return from injury.
“I think they were keen to get a Queensland team and the three NSW teams,” he said.
“We’re not going to agree with everything from the NRL and whatever the decision is, but the most important thing is we got the decision the other day.
“We’re disappointed and we’ve moved on. It’s fish and chip paper.”
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