The fuse has been lit for next week’s historic season-opener with Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold calling out the Rabbitohs for failing to promote the game in Las Vegas by basing themselves in San Diego.
Manly is the only team to be based in Vegas for the double-header, with the other three clubs setting up camp in California before they arrive in Sin City for the matches at Allegiant Stadium.
That wasn’t lost on Seibold who had a crack at South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou who quipped that he’d put some money behind the bar for Sea Eagles players to enjoy themselves before the game.
Seibold used to coach the Rabbitohs and famously had some words in the media with Demetriou when he moved to Brisbane.
“It would be nice if the Bunnies came and promoted the game in Las Vegas,” Seibold said at Sydney Airport before flying out to the States via Fiji.
“One of the reasons we’re going there 11 days beforehand is to promote the game.
“The NRL have wanted to take the game to Las Vegas so we’re doing our job. All our training sessions are open sessions so supporters and the media are more than welcome to come to all of our sessions.
“We’ve got a lot of corporates and members and supporters coming across so we want to do the right thing by the game.
“I’m not concerned about other clubs.
“Every team has their own way to prepare, but we feel obligated and obliged to promote the game in Las Vegas where the game is being played.
“There have been some comments from others, but that’s okay. We know what we need to do to minimise those distractions. We’ve got a fantastic group of adults in our squad and there’s a lot of trust.
“We want to promote the game and be visible in Vegas.”
The Sea Eagles have already detailed plans for media and fans to follow their journey overseas, while also devising a plan to ensure their players avoid any potential controversy in a city famous for its colourful vibe.
“We’ve come up with a really good strategy to minimise any distractions, but we also want to give the guys a life experience,” Seibold said.
“They’re adults and we’re going to treat them like adults.
“The whole idea is to promote the game for the NRL, and we feel obliged to do that. Part of that obligation is to spend the whole time in Las Vegas.
“We want to be present there. Those people who probably don’t know too much about the NRL, if they see us at the UFC centre there promoting it, we might get those casual supporters who don’t have much to do on March 2 (US time) to come along.
“We want to promote the game and we’re doing it for the right reasons.”
Meanwhile, the Roosters are bracing for an Adam Reynolds kicking masterclass when they face the Broncos at a ground which is six metres shorter and five metres narrower than a standard rugby league field.
The smaller dimensions will make it tough for all four teams to spread the ball, with kickers expected to thrive if they can master the conditions.
“I think the kicking is a massive part,” Roosters skipper James Tedesco said.
“The Broncos have a really strong kicking game with Reynolds and Walters and Reece Walsh.
“With the shorter dimensions, there are going to be more attacking kicks and there’ll be lots more opportunities for 40/20s.
“That’ll be something for me to really be on guard and watch that.
“It can make a difference (in attack) but it’s hard to plan for that. You’ve just got to play with what you’ve got.”
