Last time I saw Rima Butler and Jess Sergis, they were causing havoc for the Jillaroos - so why, oh why would I sign up to try and tackle them?
However, putting my hand up to play Vegas 9s with Canadian team the Ontario Ospreys was one of the best things I have ever done, playing with a group of inspirational people who are going above and beyond to help grow the game.
Viva Las Vegas 9s
The NRL celebrated a record-breaking season opener in Las Vegas, with 45,719 fans packed into Allegiant Stadium on Saturday night (local time) to see some top-flight rugby league.
While the travelling supporter bases helped create a fantastic atmosphere, many of the fans in the stands were local North American rugby league players, soaking up opportunity to see their role models in action.
Some of these were representatives of the Ontario Ospreys, who took to the field for their third season in a row at the Vegas 9s tournament, this year playing in the Women's Premier Division.
The club that helped bring former Gold Coast Titans and current York Super League forward Megan Pakulis to the NRLW, the Ospreys won the inaugural women's competition in 2024.
In Las Vegas, this journalist got to see up-close-and-personal how important the Vegas 9s is to the growth of the game in the region and for the players as one of two 'Aussie ring-ins' for the two-day tournament.
Held at Silver Bowl Park, about a 30-minute drive away from the bright lights of the Strip, there were 46 teams playing across four divisions - Premier Men's and Women's and Community Men's and Women's. This expansion showcased the quality and growth from last season where there was only a men's and women's division.
Alongside Sharks Harvey Norman Women's Premiership player Mikayla Langer, we joined with the Canadians to face off against the likes of Australian Jillaroos Butler and Sergis (playing for the back-to-back winners LA Roosters) and Kiwi Ferns Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa and Ash Quinlan (Nesian Gummas).
Once in a Lifetime: So how did I get here?
How did I get to be there? Long story short, but working at the NRL, you get to know people who know people.
In this case, it was Mike Castle, who as NRL Pathways Project Manager was helping put the whole tournament together - and also happened to be Canada Ravens foundation coach.
After throwing me into a WhatsApp group chat, my next steps were buying tickets for my flights and sorting out accommodation with my new roomie from Ottawa Jamie-Lee Walker. There was not enough time for a second thought about whether, coming from community level league with Normanby Hounds, playing at this level was such a bright idea.
Good thing I couldn't back out, as it was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever been a part of, surrounded by some truly inspirational people who love rugby league.
O Canada!
Many of the North American players do it just for the love of the game. While some travelling teams had an enviable accompaniment of support staff and supplies, we brought along our own snacks and sports tape and found helpful paramedics at the tournament's medical tent to strap us up ready for the field.
The Canadian contingent sent three teams overall, the Ospreys, the BC Storm in the Women's Community division and the Toronto City Saints in the Men's Community division, with the boys in blue claiming the title of NRL 9s Bowl Champions.
While I was one of a number of players and teams to make the trek from league strongholds in Australia, New Zealand and England to have a great time in the US of A, for people like current Canada Ravens coach Matt Barron and Ospreys and Ravens player Beth Hofstetter, the Vegas 9s are a vital opportunity to play rugby league.
"We have our National Tournament each yeah where British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario play a round robin and then in Ontario, we are year two of our domestic competition which has three teams," Barron said.
"Then they all play rugby union to get the reps in. We then try and arrange Canada Ravens games for the Fall."
The NRL moments our Vegas stars would show Americans
Like many of her team-mates, Hofstetter - who made her international debut in the recent World Series against Ireland and Fiji - came across from rugby union, but would like to play more league whenever possible.
“Honestly, it's great to just be here, we get to meet so many new people," Hofstetter said of her 2026 Las Vegas experience.
“Rugby league is so limited in activities that we get to experience, so coming out here, getting to play again, shows you real competition and how to improve the game overall.
“(The NRL Vegas 9s), there's no other opportunity like it.
“We are able to continue to compete against people who we don't normally see.
“It's one thing going up against America, but going against people who are playing every weekend, it really shows you what true rugby league's about."
Growing the game
While the grand finals played at Allegiant Stadium saw Australian team Titans of Coal (Men's Premier Division) and Australian-backed LA Roosters (Women's Premier Division) claim the titles, there is no denying the NRL's ongoing foray into North America is making an impact.
This year's Nines tournament also celebrated a partnership with National Collegiate Rugby, that saw NCR Men’s and Women’s All Stars teams compete in the Premier Divisions.
“I definitely see rugby league growing, 100%," Hofsetter said.
“We definitely need just more exposure and the more exposure you get, like coming here every year, is definitely a way that we've been able to improve rugby league.
“You've seen the growth of it over the past few years from the first year to the third year now.
“We've seen so much growth … but to be playing all around (would be the goal)."
