England prop Mikolaj Oledzki joined Leeds injury list as the Rhinos scored a tough Challenge Cup victory which Brad Arthur said would leave them "hardened" heading into Vegas.
The glamour Yorkshire club led just 18-12 over Championship side Widnes with 16 minutes to go on the synthetic surface at DCBL Stadium, Riley Lumb's mesmerising try finally ensuring victory when he beat six players from near halfway.
But there was a price for the 25-12 win, with Oledzki, the 191cm Polish-born prop who played in last year's Ashes Series, in doubt for the February 28 Super League clash with Hull KR at Allegiant Stadium as part of the NRL's Rugby League Las Vegas 2026.
"His rib - I dunno, it's not too good," Arthur said. "Looking at him now, he doesn't look great."
Rookie fullback George Brown, 19, scored two tries on debut in a positive to counter that bad news.
"His first touch, he got bashed up and he made an error but he bounced back and he kept going after the game," the coach commented.
And Arthur believed a tight game might be better than winning 104-0 as Vegas opponents Hull KR did the evening before against amateur side Lock Lane.
"We got nothing out of the (equivalent) game last year - we weren't match hardened for our first game," he said.
Be there to witness history live at Allegiant Stadium. Tickets for the NRL's season opener are selling fast. Click HERE for ticket and travel packages.
