‘Like a kid on Christmas Day’: Excitement for Las Vegas builds as veteran playmaker offers words of wisdom to the travelling teams
Amid all the excitement of players going to Las Vegas, a rival skipper has warned them they could be feeling very different if they don’t return with two points.
Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny says he woke up on Thursday feeling like he was a kid on Christmas Day, but Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has warned the four travelling teams that they better win next weekend otherwise they’re in for a brutal trip back home.
The sample size is so small that it’s almost not worth considering, but both teams that lost in Vegas last year – the Broncos and Rabbitohs – missed the top eight, while the Roosters and Sea Eagles made the finals and played each other in week two.
It’s nothing to read into, but the players involved in the two games at Allegiant Stadium in the US have still been able to pass on crucial information, something that Sharks captain Cameron McInnes took advantage of during Origin camp last year.
Cherry-Evans said he hadn’t been contacted by many players about what to expect in Sin City, but he did have a simple message for the four teams involved.
Daly Cherry-Evans and the Sea Eagles had a wonderful time in Las Vegas last year. Picture: David Becker
“Not on a player level but more on a coaching and logistical level,” he replied when asked if players had reached out.
“I understand there’s been a fair bit of talk between other clubs on how to best manage the situation and how to get the most out of the travel, your preparation and recovery, the facilities and everything else going on behind the scenes.
“I guess the teams that won last year may be getting their brains picked more than the others, but I don’t know.
“I speak very highly of how fun it was, and to any of the players going this year, I just say ‘enjoy it’. It’s going to be an amazing experience, but make sure you win because it’s a long way to go to not get the points.
“I’m glad we did it once but I’m glad we’re not going back again this year, only because of the travel and the emotional toll it took.”
Next week’s game against the Sharks is the latest chapter in Penrith’s incredible story as they chase a fifth title in a row.
It’s a new feeling for the champions who boast plenty of country kids who are strangers to the bright lights they’ll experience on the main strip in Vegas, and the enormity of the occasion is starting to hit home.
Mitch Kenny says excitement is building as the Panthers flew out on Thursday. Picture: Thomas Lisson
“I woke up this morning like a kid on Christmas Day,” Kenny said at Sydney Airport.
“It will be a long flight, but I’m looking forward to getting over there.
“We’ve been trying not to get too far ahead of ourselves and not get swept up in all this, but now that we’re at the airport and heading over, it’s getting real, so I’m pretty pumped.”
It’s the second year in a row the Panthers have had to fly overseas in February, with Penrith going down in a controversial World Club Challenge 12 months ago.
The Panthers are hoping for a different result after they lost in the UK last year. Picture: Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Coach Ivan Cleary lamented the lack of preparation his side has enjoyed over the past two pre-seasons – they had one trial match but didn’t play most of their stars and will have another on Friday when the NRL squad is overseas – with the premiers starting the 2024 NRL season with a loss to the Storm.
“It’s a little different because it’s a much bigger time difference (compared to the UK where it felt very different to Sydney). We feel like that will be a good experience in that sense,” he said ahead of the flight.
“It’s more about preparation and playing a game without a trial game that has happened to us the past two years now, but we feel like we’re on top of that.”
