Slam dunk: Bula using basketball background to attract US fans
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Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula is set to lean on his background as a star basketballer to connect with US audiences leading into next year's Las Vegas season opener.
A talented basketballer growing up, the skilful No.1 initially pursued his dream of playing in the NBA before ultimately returning to rugby league to chase an NRL debut.
Bula is excited to combine his two passions throughout the next six months as the Tigers build towards their 2027 season opener at Allegiant Stadium.
Having attended a New York Knicks game last off-season, the fullback is confident he is well placed to combine the American basketball spectacle with the physicality and skill of rugby league.
LV27 showmen: Jahream Bula
"My wife and I went to a Knicks game in New York," Bula said. "It was crazy, it was a regular season game but it felt like a grand final.
"The Americans will enjoy the physicality of rugby league. It's similar to the NFL but it's not as stop-start. There's a lot of athletic people in our game, just like there are in their game as well.
"With the competitiveness of the NRL, they're very competitive over there so they will enjoy our game."
The Tigers will take on Melbourne as part of a triple-header in Las Vegas to kick off the 2027 season.
Parramatta and the Titans will also do battle, while Super League clubs Bradford and Leigh will face off in the opening match of a rugby league extravaganza.
The event continues to generate significant interest from fans in Australia, the UK and USA and travel packages have been popular with supporters since going on sale earlier this year.
LV27 - let's go!
The triple-header marks the fourth time the NRL has taken over Las Vegas, with each successive year building on the previous one.
Next season promises to be the biggest yet as Australian and English fans descend on the entertainment capital and Americans become increasingly familiar with rugby league.
Bula admits some jealousy watching the Allegiant Stadium extravaganza throughout the past few years and he's determined to make the most of the Tigers chance to play in Vegas.
"I love how they build up into it [during the week] and with the Super League game and NRL games," Bula said. "We've all been watching the past few years and it's something I've wanted to do.
"Seeing all those English fans descend on Vegas for the Super League game is pretty crazy. The fans are pretty crazy over there so hopefully it'll be crazy next year as well."
Match: Wests Tigers v Dragons
Round 24 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
14th Position
away Team
Dragons
17th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Bula will line up at fullback on Sunday afternoon when the Tigers host the Dragons at CommBank Stadium.
The match is a passing of the torch after St George Illawarra travelled to Vegas this year.
Las Vegas rewind - 2026
While the Tigers have dropped out of finals contention, they are determined to build momentum leading into next year's season opener before using the experience to jumpstart a successful 2027.
"It's a big chance to use the game as a launch pad for the 2027 season," Bula said. "It will be big for us because in the past few years we haven't been starting off too well.
"Hopefully we can go over there, do a job and come back with a win. We want to enjoy the experience and soak it up as much as we can because it's not going to last long but we understand we're there to do a job."
Be there to experience NRL live in Las Vegas in 2027. Travel packages and tickets are on sale and selling fast. Click here to secure your package before they sell out.
