The NRL’s blockbuster plan to take the game to Las Vegas will see the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Sea Eagles open the 2024 season, reports Nine’s Michael Chammas.
In a bid to tap into the multibillion-dollar sports-betting market in the US, the NRL wants to get the 2024 campaign underway with a double header in Las Vegas.
Chammas highlighted the pulling power of Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe and Sea Eagles super-fan Hugh Jackman.
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“South Sydney and Manly players, they can start packing their bags, it looks like they’ll be guaranteed to play in this double header at Vegas to open next season,” Chammas said on Nine’s NRL coverage.
“The NRL’s making plans at the moment, they’re going over to the US in the next fortnight.
“There are three other teams that have expressed interest in playing. They’re the Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos. They’re the three teams that have told the NRL they want part of this Vegas trip.
“Over the next fortnight, they’ll come back and make a decision.
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“But South Sydney with Russell Crowe and Manly with Hugh Jackman, they look like they’re guaranteed to be playing in the game to open next season.”
The historic season-opener is slated for Allegiant Stadium, the home of next year’s Super Bowl.
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