Sport
Wigan Warriors to play Warrington Wolves in Las Vegas for first-ever Super League fixture in the US
It's a landmark moment in rugby league history.
In a landmark moment for the Betfred Super League and British rugby as a whole, Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves will be facing off against each other in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Yes, for the first time in history, an official Super League game will be taking place in the US as last month’s Challenge Cup finalists will see their rematch moved to the Allegiant Stadium, where NFL side Las Vegas Raiders and Rebels college-level American football teams play.
With the two local teams set to meet over the other side of the Atlantic next year, this comes as part of a fresh bid to grow a National Rugby League (NRL) audience over in the States – a drum they’ve been beating for several decades now.
The all-North West face-off will be one of four fixtures scheduled to take place in March 2025.
Boasting a 65,000 capacity, the Allegiant Stadium is roughly four times the capacity of the Wolves Halliwell Jones Stadium and more than two-and-a-half times the size of the Warriors’ home ground.
It was also where this year’s Super Bowl was hosted.
Safe to say, if they sell well, these latest international NRL games could be huge for growing the rugby audience in the US.
Wigan and Warrington are the first UK teams to play in America but follow in the footsteps of Aussie clubs Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters who kicked off the Las Vegas promotion earlier this year, attracting over 40,000 fans.
The New Zealand Warriors will also play against Canberra Raiders along with three-time NRL champions Penrith Panthers taking on Cronulla Sharks in the other games booked in for 2025 thus far.
That means eight NRL clubs will have played in the first two years in Vegas, following matches between Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters earlier this year.
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But the historic fixtures don’t stop there as England Women will also play against the world champions, Australia Jillaroos, in another landmark moment for international rugby.
As for Wigan – who hold the record for the most competition wins, lifting their 21st Challenge Cup on 8 June with an 18-8 win at Wembley – they’re clearly relishing the challenge of playing abroad.
Likewise, Warrington CEO and former Ireland fullback Karl Fitzpatrick has described it as “an opportunity like no other” and “potentially groundbreaking for British rugby league.”
These games will be broadcast on Sky Sports and are obviously geared towards the American sporting audience, but would you fly as far as Las Vegas to watch a Super League game?
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Featured Images — Warrington Wolves/Hard Rock Cafe (via X)/Cornfield948 (via Wiki Commons)
Sport
England head coach Shaun Wane quits ahead of 2026 Rugby League World Cup
Danny Jones
England head coach Shaun Wane has stepped down from his role as the national team setup after more than half a decade in the post.
His resignation comes as the Rugby Football League (RFL) looks to pivot and set out a long-term vision ahead of the World Cup later this year.
The Wigan-born former Warriors manager’s replacement is expected to be merely a part-time appointment as future planning begins.
Announced on Wednesday, 14 January, Shaun Wane’s tenure has ended “effective immediately”.
Sharing an official update online, the RFL wrote: “Wane, who has led England since February 2020, has taken time to reflect on the programme and believes the timing is right for new leadership to guide the team into the next phase, including the upcoming World Cup.
“During his tenure, Wane oversaw memorable series victories over Tonga in 2023 and a star-studded Samoa a year later, as well as a semi-final in the World Cup. He finishes with 14 wins from 19 matches.”
Crediting him as one of “a very small elite number of coaches to have won the full suite of domestic club honours and achieved World Club Championship success”, hailing his experience and longevity both as a player and as a coach.
As for Wane himself, he said: “It has been the honour of my life to coach England Rugby League over the last six years, but after careful reflection, I believe the time is right to step aside and allow the programme to move forward into its next chapter.
The 61-year-old ex-pro goes on to add, “The privilege of leading my country in a World Cup, an Ashes Series on home soil and securing victories over Tonga and Samoa will live long in the memory.
“I’m incredibly grateful to all the players, coaches and staff I’ve worked alongside during that time; their commitment and professionalism made those moments possible. I wish everyone involved with England Rugby League the best going forward and for the World Cup later this year.”
According to the latest reports online, St Helens boss Paul Rowley is now said to be the favourite to take over in the interim.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is still months away (scheduled to take place in October and November), but the governing body will want to get the new setup and coaching in place as soon as possible to prepare for the tournament.
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Featured Images — Fleets (via WikiCommons)/England Rugby League (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Manchester City Women finally secure transfer target after months of pursuit
Danny Jones
Manchester City Women’s team have finally secured their long-sought-after new signing, Sam Coffey, after months of courting her.
She is Andrée Jeglertz’s first new addition of the January transfer window.
The American midfielder joins Man City Women on a three-and-a-half year contract after having been with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit, Portland Thorns, for the best part of four years.
Officially arriving at the Joie Stadium and wider Etihad Campus this week, she will wear the 17 shirt.
Already a well-established US international, the 27-year-old helped her now former team to the playoff semi-finals as club captain last term and has featured in the NWSL’s team of the season for the last four campaigns running.
The club went after her this past summer but was ultimately unable to get an agreement over the line.
Sam Coffey came through the youth academy ranks in New York, going on to play her college football in Boston and then at Penn State before making her full senior debut for the Thorns back in 2022.
Fast coming on 50 caps for her country and having won Olympic Gold and a SheBelieves Cup in 2024, she pulls on the sky blue of Jeglertz’s current league-leading side, having already won silverware.
Man City never hesitate when it comes to bringing in top talents to further increase their title chances, and an acquisition like this could help them stay the course towards their first-ever Women’s Super League (WSL) trophy.
Commenting in an official club statement, Coffey said: “It’s a club with so much history, so much success, so much influence in the city. Manchester is not somewhere I’ve been before, but there’s something about it that I felt I was led to and called to.
You can find her first full interview as a City women’s player down below.
She goes on to add: “I think it’s also a place that has just proven its investment in women’s soccer and being a part of this movement that is going on.
“Seeing the facilities, the support the team gets, and all the efforts they’re putting in for the women’s side is such a huge and positive side and something I’m honoured to be a part of.”
City face Bournemouth next in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, 18 January, before facing fellow title contenders and serial domestic winners Chelsea in the League Cup next week; it remains to be seen when her first appearance will come.
Happy with the business, Blues?
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Featured Images — Hameltion (via Wikimedia Commons)/Manchester City Women’s Football Club
