Leeming in Las Vegas

Kruise Leeming and Matty Ashton were in Las Vegas promoting the historic Rugby League event featuring their sides Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors, which will take place on March 1 at the Allegiant Stadium.

The event will be a quadruple header with the Betfred Super League clash, an international contest between Australia Jillaroos and England Women, as well as two NRL matches - Raiders v Warriors and Panthers v Sharks.

“It was my first time visiting Vegas – I was in America on holiday anyway and then got the phone call while I was over there to go and do some truly life-changing experiences and promote the game a little bit,” Leeming explained.

“So, I added Vegas to my trip and travelled over there – I went to the NFL game, the F1 and the UFC Performance Institute.  

“It was great, and you could sort of say it was like a once in a lifetime trip – I feel very lucky and grateful for the opportunity.”

Facing off in the Octagon before going head to head in Las Vegas ?@MattyyAshton & @leemokruise9 visited the @UFCPI and UFC Bantamweight Champion, @MerabDvalishvil ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/AwObSitmIZ

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) November 29, 2024

Being a part of a packed Allegiant Stadium for the NFL clash between the Raiders and Broncos, Leeming was truly mesmerised by what he witnessed:

“It was a surreal atmosphere. It was brilliant and I was watching it from a different lens, whereas before when watching games, I’m either watching Rugby League on Sky Sports or just as big sporting events, but I’ve never had the chance of envisaging myself playing at that venue [Allegiant Stadium].

“So, although I was watching the NFL game as a spectator and a fan, I also had one eye on us [Wigan] being there in March.

“I was looking at how wide the pitch looked, where the fans would be sitting, where I could imagine my family sitting, where we’d come out of the tunnel and dugout to train, where the scoreboard and big screen would be – all those different things.

“I wasn’t just watching the NFL; I was also watching it to get an insight to see what it would be like when we’d get there.”

The inaugural NRL double-header at Allegiant Stadium drew 40,000 fans last March and another bumper crowd is predicted next year.

And Leeming has expressed his excitement at this prospect, as his side, Wigan Warriors, the reigning Super League Champions, have agreed to switch their home league fixture against Warrington Wolves – a rematch of last season’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley – to be able to participate in the hotly anticipated Las Vegas event.

Like the NRL in 2024, this game marks the first Super League game to be held in the United States, and Leeming recognises that it is a huge opportunity for the sport:

“It’s one of those opportunities where the whole of Rugby League and Super League in general is winning. It’s one of them where even if I wasn’t part of this fixture or if Wigan weren’t a part of it, you’d still sit back as a fan and realise that Super League and all the teams - even though week in and week out you’re all against each other - would be so proud to see our game being represented out there.

“With the NRL there as well and an international Women’s game too, the whole of Rugby League is winning on that day.

“It’s very good for the game and shows those steps forward we’re making.

“Then, add in actually being a part of the spectacle and the team that takes to the field – it’s another icing on the cake for me. I’d have been so proud to watch anyway, but for Wigan to be doing it is very humbling and something that I know is going to be a massive spectacle for Super League.”

Leeming is also hopeful of a positive reception from all of the fans, in what is set to be a spectacular occasion:

“Hopefully we get some NFL and American fans behind us,” said Leeming, who has also previously played for NRL's Gold Coast Titans in 2023. “And when I played over in the NRL, there were definitely some NRL fans that followed parts of my career and Super League.

“Anytime we get chance to showcase what a great brand and sport we are – we’ve never disappointed before.

“Just look at Magic Weekend - all fans are under the same roof with different teams, and it’s always been great and exciting - and that’s what I imagined happened last time out with the NRL in Las Vegas.

“In Super League, we’ve always embraced that coming together and it’s such a proud thing as players to see that fans can do that in our sport, because it’s something you can’t do in many others.

“I just think what a testament to our sport that we can put all those fans under one roof where it’s a fantastic and enjoyable experience – that’s what sport is all about – the entertainment, putting smiles on people’s faces and about the younger generation looking up to us players and being inspired.”

And in a message to any travelling Super League fans, Leeming ensures they will not be disappointed by what a luxurious Las Vegas has to offer:

“It’s a great city and there’s so much to do. If you’ve never been to Vegas before, it’s a bucket list thing!

“For people who haven’t been before, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised – there’s so much to do on the strip. There’s nothing you can’t get! And if you’re returning to Vegas, you’ll be just as excited and I think people make a habit of going back there because there’s so much to do.

“The way they do things over there is so entertaining and on such a magnitude where you could never, ever get bored. For anyone going, I think they’re going to have such a fantastic time.”

On the actual game itself, where Wigan and Warrington will go head-to-head in the event’s opening match, Leeming is thrilled to be playing one of their biggest rivals:

“I’m glad we’re playing a rival team like Warrington because every game we’ve played them this year has been a great spectacle for fans and good games to watch.

“I watched one whilst I was injured, and I certainly enjoyed it. I’m glad it’s a team we know who’s going to be a great opposition.

“As players we obviously want to come away with the two points, but it’s such a massive stage for us to put our sport in the shop window and we want nothing but a tight, tough, gruelling game.

“We know how good Warrington are, how good they were last year, and they beat us in easy fashion at home which not a lot of teams got to do.

“It’s a bit of a grudge match between us and Warrington but I’m just happy it’s turned out that way for fans.

“From a player’s point of view, we know how tough it’s going to be but it’ll great spectacle, and the travelling fans of Wigan and Warrington deserve that – they’re coming over and spending their hard-earned money to come and watch us.

“We’ll be going as hard as we can to get the win for them and we know Warrington will be doing the exact same. Fans want to see the best teams fighting each other to take home the prize of the two points and I think that’ll bring the best out in both teams.”

Rugby League Las Vegas Festival 2025 – Saturday March 1

• Betfred Super League – Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves (1:30pm PST / 9:30pm GMT)
• NRL – Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors (4:00pm PST / Midnight GMT)
• Test Match - Australian Jillaroos vs England Women (6:00pm PST / 2am GMT March 2)
• NRL – Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (8:30pm PST / 4:30am GMT March 2)

All four matches will be shown live on Sky Sports – with the Wigan-Warrington match kicking off the action at 9.30pm UK time.

Information on tickets and travel packages can be found on Wigan and Warrington's official club websites.