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Vidot jets in from Tokyo wrestling bout for Vegas Test
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Former NRL star Daniel Vidot trained with the Knights after arriving in Vegas from a Japanese wrestling bout to play for the USA Hawks against Scotland on the eve of the NRL's double-header at Allegiant Stadium.
Vidot joined United States team-mates Shingirai Hlanguyo and Esteban Tupuola in a Knights opposed session after competing in an eight-man tag team match in Tokyo.
“They were saying ‘what, you're still playing?'. I told them, 'yeah, I still try'. For me I think I need to get that fix of playing league still," Vidot told Rugbyjp.com after Monday night's All Japan Pro Wrestling event.
“I love both things - footy and wrestling - (and) right now I want to take on whatever challenges come my way."
The former Raiders, Dragons, Broncos and Titans winger is set to switch into the forwards under new Hawks coach Adam Woolnough, who played more than 150 NRL matches in the frontrow for the Knights, Panthers and Storm.
“I love rugby league, I always have. I want it to grow and especially in USA," said Vidot, who moved to the USA in 2018 to pursue a wrestling career with WWE.
"I think there's massive potential there. Not taking away from the NFL, but we do 80 minutes without breaks and no pads. I encourage everyone to watch this weekend.”
The USA-Scotland Men's and Women's double-header at Cougar Stadium are the first IRL sanctioned international fixtures of 2026.
Both matches will be live-streamed on NRL.com from 10.35am Saturday AEST
Part of the annual Rugby League Las Vegas festival, headlined by the season opening Cowboys-Knights and Bulldogs-Dragons double-header at Allegiant Stadium, the USA-Scotland event also includes an U19s international.
The senior men’s and women’s encounters will be played for world ranking points. Those games build on USA’s last outings this time last year, also in Las Vegas, when the women overcame Greece 46-0 but the men went down 46-10 to their Hellenic counterparts.
Woolnough, who will be assisted by former Knights team-mate Cory Paterson, said: “This is a new start for the rugby league in the US”.
USARL chair, Matt Goschnick, added: “The USARL board is excited to see all the squads get together and to build on last year’s event here. It shows a commitment to pathways and development".
Both nations are hoping to regain IRL Full Membership to become eligible to qualify for the next World Cup in 2030.
“This fixture could be a significant moment in Scotland Rugby League getting back to where we belong," said Scotland men’s head coach Adam Houston, who draws on eight players from the Scotland Premier League.
"We have a talented group, some boys receiving their first cap who have shown commitment and sacrifice to be here.”
Scotland Women made their international debut last year, playing Wales and Jamaica.
“It’s another important step in the continued development of the Scotland Rugby League women’s program,” assistant coach Gareth Nicholson said.
“We’re still in the early stages of building our international identity, but the progress within this squad has been significant.”
Troy Clarkson, who works in pathways for the Dolphins, will take charge of the USA Hawks women for the first time.
“We are excited to work with the new bunch of women and set a new standard with them," he said.
USA v Scotland Men (kick off 8:15pm WST)
USA Hawks (squad): Anson Jiang, Jace Delaney, Kyle Granby, Peter Lupton, Tevita Bryce (Brooklyn Kings), Daniel Vidot, Ryan Burroughs (DC Cavalry), David Washington, Jason Martin (Jacksonville Axemen), Esteban Tupuola, Shingirai Hlanguyo, Tyler Sisley (LA Roosters), Fatai Makavaha (Provo Broncos), Celcius Tarawhiti (Riverton Seagulls), Wes Piggins (South West Florida Copperheads), Joe Eichner, Matt Finnesy (Tampa Mayhem)
Scotland Bravehearts (squad): Brett Carter, Max Anderson-Moore (Barrow Raiders), Lewis Clarke, Pete Burns, Tom Murray (Edinburgh Eagles), Luke Punton (Glebe Dirty Reds), Kieran Moran (Midlands Hurricanes), Connor Terrill (Millom), Dan Turland (Mudgeeraba Redbacks), Joe Kirkup (Penrith RUFC), Ross Whitmore (Rochdale Hornets), Jacob Grierson (Siddal), Ben Morris (Unattached), Andrew Brown, Corrie Dicks, Jordan Duncan, Niall Hall (West End Warriors).
USA v Scotland Women (kick-off 6pm WST)
USA (squad): Brandice Neal, Brittany Royes, Isabel Henderson, Josephine Asumang, Kadie Sandford, Mia Blocher, Nicole Fisch, Sarah Anderson, ShaMarica Scott, Taylor White, Tiana Granby (East), Afi Tone, Jeanna Beard, Maiah Alofaituli, Paris Hart, Salataima Mamea, Sydney Pua, Teree Okabe (West)
Scotland (squad): Nicole Stewart (Barrow Raiders), Raphaella Aquilina, Robyn Price (Bristol Golden Fearns), Enya Lackie (Bristol Golden Ferns), Grace Field (Leeds Rhinos), Rebecca Smart (London Broncos), Steph Gray (Salford Red Devils), Betti Ginnelly (Stewartry Sirens), Ciorstadia Ainsworth (Stirling County), Emma Whelsford, Georgia Briggs, Morgan Pearson, Sammi Simpson (Swinton Lionesses), Isabel Glover (Thatto Heath), Olivia Barnard (Wigan St Patrick's), Rebecca White (Workington Town), Cerys Gregory (York Valkyrie)
