Warrington Wolves centre Rodrick Tai is hoping his end-of-season form with PNG Kumuls will see him make his way on to the plane to Las Vegas to experience a slice of history.
Following last season's stunning season opening at Allegiant Stadium, the NRL is returning to the USA in 2025 with Super League heavyweights Warrington and Wigan joining the showcase of rugby league in a first for the game.
“I heard that there's going to be a game between us and Wigan, so hopefully I get a good pre-season and can go,” Tai told pan66.com.
For Tai, who moved to the UK in 2024 to play with Warrington after impressing in Queensland’s Hostplus Cup with the PNG Hunters, the experience would be a bonus after a strong international campaign where he helped the Kumuls claim back-to-back Pacific Bowl titles.
This year, the Pacific Championships competition expanded to incorporate a promotion-relegation game with the winner of the Bowl facing off against the lowest-placed team in the Pacific Cup, with PNG’s performances giving them the chance to play Tier One nation New Zealand in the play-off final.
While New Zealand proved too strong in their 54-12 victory at CommBank Stadium, the Kumuls gained valuable experience, with coach Jason Demetriou saying throughout the tournament he wanted the PNG national side to move up the international rankings.
“It was a massive opportunity and we really wanted to play that game and hopefully put a better performance, but it was a good learning for us and what to expect,” Tai said.
“It's our goal to be in the top four (in the world) and now we've experienced what it's like to be there, it’s a good learning for us and all the boys hopefully be better next year.
“I think deep down the boys believe that they can do that (and be top four), but they just keep it to themselves … but JD (Demetriou) came and just set it out straight and then it became a goal for the team and each and every one of us, we wanted to achieve that.
“But unfortunately it was not the result (against New Zealand), but it's really, really good to play a top-two team and experience what it's like and learn from that and do better next time.
“It's good to like playing against the top tier teams; it's really good for the competition and for rugby league all across the Pacific.”
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Coached at Warrington by former England forward Sam Burgess - a premiership winner with South Sydney and a recent inductee into the NRL Hall of Fame - Tai said his experiences in England had been enjoyable so far.
“Sam's been a role model and someone that I liked watching growing up and then now to be coached by him is just unreal,” Tai said.
“All the time when I see him it just gets me; he's really a good bloke.
“He's handling it really well being a coach, but sometimes I think that he still wants to play!
“Playing in England is good, all fans in the UK love the PNG lads and so when we go over there to play, they just make us feel at home.
“It's been a really good year in the UK.”
The two English clubs will be joined in Las Vegas by England women, who will play against the world champion Jillaroos team, rounding out four massive games on March 1.
The event will also see Canberra Raiders facing off against the Warriors and the Penrith Panthers taking on Cronulla to start the NRL season.
