Farewell Leichhardt, hello Las Vegas: Tigers embracing radical shift
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The Wests Tigers are embracing the chance to trade Leichhardt for the bright lights of Las Vegas as they prepare to say goodbye to their historic home ground.
Sunday's clash with the Titans will mark the last game at the venue fans have affectionately dubbed 'the eighth wonder of the world' before it closes for a redevelopment.
A refurbished Leichhardt Oval is set to reopen in 2028 and the Tigers are making the most of the ground's closure by going on a world tour.
Winger Sunia Turuva said excitement has been building ahead of Sunday's sold-out match and he's eager to see the club's loyal fans descend on Vegas early next year.
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"It's one of the best grounds I've played at," Turuva told NRL.com. "It's the energy and how close the fans are to the field. It's a suburban ground and you feel the vibe driving into the ground, we love playing there and feeding off the fans.
"Hopefully everyone that's out at Leichhardt can make the trip to Vegas. If they can pack out Allegiant Stadium and we can get an atmosphere similar to Leichhardt it will be pretty cool."
The Tigers' trip to Vegas will see the side shift from the humble surrounds of Leichhardt Oval, a 92-year-old venue that has hosted top-flight rugby league since 1934, to the state-of-the-art Allegiant Stadium known as the 'Death Star'.
Rather than piling out of the ground and spilling on to Norton St, fans will take over Fremont St and experience the dizzying array of entertainment options on offer.
The venues may be 12,430 kilometres apart, but there are no doubts one of the most passionate supporter bases in the game will make their presence known for the Tigers' one-week residence in Vegas.
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Travel packages have been selling fast, with match tickets to the Allegiant Stadium triple-header going on sale on Friday June 12.
The Tigers will take on Melbourne, while Parramatta are preparing to face the Titans and Super League clubs Leigh and Bradford will kick off proceedings.
Off-season recruit Kai Pearce-Paul has been blown away by the atmosphere at Leichhardt Oval and he's eager to soak it up one last time this weekend.
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"My debut for the Tigers this year against the Cowboys was at Leichhardt and it reminded me of English crowds," Pearce-Paul said. "The hill was booming.
"My little brother was up there on the hill watching me and he just loved being up there with the fans going crazy. The crowd at Leichhardt is electric and I love it."
Match: Wests Tigers v Titans
Round 15 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
away Team
Titans
15th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Just a handful of tickets remain for Sunday's clash against the Titans, with fans clamouring to be part of a historic afternoon.
According to stats compiled by rugby league historian David Middleton, Leichhardt Oval has hosted 601 games starting in 1934 when Balmain hosted Western Suburbs.
The two clubs combined forces prior to the 2000 season and the Wests Tigers have played 103 games at the venue.
Balmain outside back Bob Lulham is the ground's leading try-scorer with 37 tries, while club legend Keith Barnes tops the point scorers with 580 points.
While aware of the magnitude of Sunday's match, the Titans will travel south determined to spoil the party for the Tigers and their home fans.
"It's a tough place to play," Gold Coast fullback Keano Kini said. "I love playing there because it's such a good atmosphere and has that old-school feel to it so we're excited to play there this week."
The two teams played out a Sunday afternoon thriller when they faced off at the venue last year, Adam Doueihi kicking an 80th-minute field goal to send a packed Leichhardt hill into delirium.
The winning goal also sparked jubilant scenes on the field, Turuva memorably producing an arcing celebratory run.
The winger laughs when the moment is brought up now, but he's eager to ensure the club's loyal fans have something to celebrate this weekend.
Adam Doueihi seals it for the Wests Tigers
"There was a bit of carry on from me but I just love playing out at Leichhardt," Turuva said. "It was a Sunday afternoon as well so similar to this week.
"The Titans have been playing some good footy and are confident off the back of last week. Hopefully we can put out a good performance because it will be a packed crowd."
Be there to see Wests Tigers take on the Storm in Las Vegas in 2027. Charters are available now and tickets go on sale to the general public today (Friday, June 12). CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
