SEN’S Andrew Voss has proposed his Las Vegas 2026 fixture in the wake of a mixed reception of the four matches played on Sunday.<\/p>\n
After a successful double-header in 2024, the NRL expanded the Las Vegas showcase in 2025 with four matches including a Super League fixture and a women’s international, in addition to the two NRL games.<\/p>\n
Voss believes four games is the right number, along with involvement from the Super League, but feels a change must be made to the women’s fixture after the lopsided 90\u20134 result in favour of the Jillaroos over England.<\/p>\n
“Whatever we consider for 2026 and beyond, it must be a minimum of three games or a maximum of four matches at Allegiant Stadium,” Voss declared on SEN 1170 Breakfast.<\/p>\n
“I would have two NRL games, a Super League game and either the World Club Challenge or a women’s game. If the NRL are hell-bent on including the women’s game, then it can only be one contest and that must be NSW v Queensland Women’s Origin.”<\/p>\n
The Australian Jillaroos thrashed England in what was a low point across the four matches. There were fears ahead of the clash that Australia would be far too strong for England but nobody expected an 86-point margin.<\/p>\n
Voss also rejected calls for other international teams such as New Zealand to face the Jillaroos, given how uncompetitive other sides are against Australia.<\/p>\n
“At the last Rugby League World Cup, I saw Australia beat New Zealand by 50 in the final at Old Trafford so don’t think you are going to get a close game there,” Voss said.<\/p>\n
“The Super League is now here to stay. The English involvement has been a huge plus this year to last.<\/p>\n
“I would have Wigan play St Helens next year \u2013 two very strong clubs.<\/p>\n
“Two NRL games is obviously a must so therefore, four NRL clubs must be here.”<\/p>\n
Despite the logistical nightmare it potentially causes, Voss is steadfast in his belief that the World Club Challenge between the NRL champion and Super League champion must be a feature at future Vegas iterations.<\/p>\n
He believes the ‘sell’ of a ‘World Title’ game would attract an American audience more than a regular-season NRL match.<\/p>\n
“I’d still have the World Club Challenge in the mix because to an American audience, a world title being up for grabs would garner more attention,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We are giving Vegas a world decider.<\/p>\n
“A trophy is being won and that’s lacking in the current games that we’ve got.<\/p>\n
“We don’t know the premiers until October so an announcement would have to come after the Super League grand final.<\/p>\n
“You would certainly put teams on alert.”<\/p>\n
Voss conceded that Americans would never truly embrace the sport of rugby league in terms of participation and the establishment of a professional sporting league.<\/p>\n
But he is adamant that the easiest entry point for Americans to participate in rugby league is through the wheelchair division.<\/p>\n
“One of the highlights at the last World Cup was wheelchair rugby league,” Voss said.<\/p>\n
“If America is to play any rugby league moving forward, I promise you it will be wheelchair rugby league that will get cut-through.<\/p>\n
“It doesn’t even have to involve Australia because we aren’t the best in that.<\/p>\n
“It could be England v France and I think it would be a huge drawcard.”<\/p>\n
The final crowd attendance for the Las Vegas showcase was 45,209.<\/p>\n
BY SEN\/CHARLES GOODSIR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SEN’S Andrew Voss has proposed his Las Vegas 2026 fixture in the wake of a mixed reception of the four matches played on Sunday. After a successful double-header in 2024, the NRL expanded the Las Vegas showcase in 2025 with four matches including a Super League fixture and a women’s international, in addition to the […]<\/p>\n