NRLW stars, coach to bolster LA Roosters for Vegas Nines
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NSW Origin coach John Strange will take five members of his Sydney Roosters premiership winning squad to Vegas to bolster the LA Roosters in the NRL Nines tournament.
The Roosters are also sending four players from their pathways teams, including Queensland U19s winger Tyreece Tait and 2024 Arthur Beetson Medal winner Owen Flaherty, to play for LA Roosters men's team.
Strange, who will take charge of the Sky Blues in this year's State of Origin series, will oversee the LA Roosters women's team, which will be boosted by the inclusion of Jocelyn Kelleher, Jasmin Strange, Jayme Fressard, Mia Wood and Shawden Burton.
Kelleher, Strange and Fressard played in last season's grand final triumph against Cronulla Sharks, while Wood was the 18th player, and Burton is returning from injury.
Fressard and Wood also have experience in Rugby Sevens that will be of benefit in the NRL Vegas Nines, which will be contested by more than 40 teams on February 27 and 28 at Silverbowl Park in Vegas.
It is believed 2024 Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick was under consideration to join the LA Roosters squad before her recall to the Jillaroos squad for the March 1 Test against England at Allegiant Stadium.
Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis, Tarryn Aiken and Keeley Davis are the other Sydney Roosters stars in the Jillaroos squad.
LA Roosters, who play in the USARL's Pacific conference, are backed by Sydney Roosters as part of the club's investment in the game in America, which also includes the Roosters West Coast Academy.
The Roosters signed US rugby sevens star Liz Tafuna after the NRL's inaugural Vegas venture last season and also showed interest in Vegas Combine winner Megan Pakulis, who plays for Canada.
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“There is a growing interest in rugby league in the US, and our affiliation with the LA Roosters allows us to scout potential talent from another part of the world,” Strange said.
“Athletes in America have a strong foundation in elite sports, a competitive mindset, and an understanding of high-performance environments, traits that could translate well to rugby league.”
Strange will work with LA Roosters coach Emiliano Nash to lead the club's men's and women's teams at the NRL Nines.
The LA Roosters men's team will include Tait, who played for Queensland in last year's U19s Origin clash, Flaherty, the club's 2024 Jersey Flegg fullback, captain and player of the year, second-rower Hayden Barton and winger Emery Jolliffe.
LA Roosters star Sione Masoe has been selected in the USA Hawks team to play Greece in back-to-back Tests at Silverbowl Park on Wednesday, February 26 and Friday, February 28.
“I love coaching all forms of rugby league, and this is something different that I can’t wait to be a part of,” Strange told the Roosters website.
“I’ve picked Aubo’s (Roosters director of football Mitchell Aubusson) brain, our last Nines champion, and we’ll be ready.
"I love the Sydney Roosters and am genuinely excited to be coaching another Roosters team internationally."
