Picture gallery: 'unbelievable experience' for Leeds Rhinos stars as 16,000 turn up to RL in Vegas Fan Fest

The Rugby League in Las Vegas Fan Fest was the high point in a week of events building up to Saturday’s triple-header at Allegiant Stadium, which kicks off with a Betfred Super League Yorkshire derby between Rhinos and Hull KR. Two NRL round one fixtures will follow, but it was the English supporters who brought the noise to the Fans Fest.

The Rhinos and Hull KR players were given a rock star welcome as they walked a red carpet through the packed crowd before an appearance on stage. “It is a privilege to be here and all the fans have been amazing,” Rhinos’ England star Kallum Watkins told the Yorkshire Evening Post in a red carpet interview.

“We’re really looking forward to Saturday now. It has been an incredible week and it is amazing to see the numbers of English fans here. What a game we are looking forward to.”

Team mate Brodie Croft described the Fan Fest as an “an unbelievable experience”. He said: “It is so good to see so many Leeds Rhinos fans here. It really builds the atmosphere and I can’t wait for the game.”

Leeds skipper Ash Handley revealed the English fans have even won over the four Australian teams - Newcastle Knights, North Queensland Cowboys, Canterbury Bulldogs and St George-Illawarra Dragons - who will play at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday. He told the crowd: “The English fans have been absolutely incredible.

“The Aussie captains were saying to me how good the English fans are, they couldn’t believe it. The support has been absolutely incredible and we are looking forward to putting on a show on Saturday night.”

The Yorkshire Evening Post’s coverage of Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas is in association with Betfred Super League. Saturday’s showdown between Rhinos and Hull KR at Allegiant Stadium is an early highlight of a packed year of club rugby league action which also includes the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on May 30, Magic Weekend’s blockbuster return to Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on July 4-5 and the Super League Grand Final on October 3 at Old Trafford. Experience live Super League. League Hits Different. To guarantee your place, visit Super League | Tickets.