Hull KR to Face Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas Super League Showdown
Hull Kingston Rovers will represent Super League on the global stage once again after being confirmed as one of the teams to feature in the Las Vegas Super League Showdown later this month. The Robins, fresh from their historic World Club Challenge victory over Brisbane Broncos, will face Leeds Rhinos at the 65,000-capacity Allegiant Stadium in a fixture designed to showcase rugby league to an American audience.
The Las Vegas event, which follows the success of the NRL's ventures into the Nevada entertainment capital, will feature two Super League fixtures played as a double-header on the same weekend as major boxing and UFC events in the city. Hull KR's involvement was confirmed by the Rugby Football League, with the club selected on the strength of their status as reigning Super League champions and their growing international profile. Head coach Willie Peters said the squad were relishing the opportunity to play in front of a new audience.
For the Robins' dedicated travelling support, the announcement has sparked a rush for flights and accommodation. Fan groups including the Hull KR Supporters' Trust have already begun organising group travel packages, with estimates suggesting that up to 3,000 Hull KR fans could make the trip across the Atlantic. Local travel agents in east Hull and Holderness have reported a significant spike in enquiries about Las Vegas trips since the fixture was announced.
The match against Leeds Rhinos promises to be a fiercely contested affair, with the two Yorkshire clubs sharing a long-standing rivalry that dates back to the earliest days of the Northern Union. Leeds, who have been rebuilding under a new coaching setup this season, will be determined to upset the champions in the high-profile surroundings. Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella said: "Playing in Las Vegas is something none of us ever imagined when we started out in rugby league. It shows how far this club and this sport have come, and we intend to put on a show."