It’s a huge boost for Hull KR.
Dean Hadley, pictured on Fremont Street, is set to play for Hull KR in Las Vegas.
When Dean Hadley left the field as a world club champion, he couldn’t see out of his right eye. Players in most other sports would have called it quits for some time. Not Hadley – he’s returning straight away to play in Vegas.
Just 72 hours after suffering the blow against Brisbane Broncos, the 33-year-old shrugged off a fractured eye socket and boarded the plane to the States, determined to take part in Saturday’s clash with Leeds Rhinos.
With the squad having visited Allegiant Stadium ahead of the Super League contest, head coach Willie Peters has confirmed that the experienced forward will play.
Hadley meanwhile revealed the full extent of his injury: “The eye is good, all the swelling is gone now. I’ve got a small fracture in there, but it’s not too serious.
“I took a bit of a whack on it, I can’t remember who it was. A minute or two later, it just blew up and I couldn’t see.
“It was about the last five minutes, but I was never coming off. We were under the pump at that point, and I thought there’s no way I’m coming off. I did whatever I could to finish the game.
“The doctors were happy for me to travel, they sort of put it on me. I was never not going to come. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity – some of the staff in the hospital were telling me how they were going to Vegas, too.
“Even if I had a small chance of playing, I was always going to put my hand up. But I’m on track.”
It’s been a whirlwind week for the Robins, from the official fan hub with two days’ worth of signing sessions, to the thrill of Fremont Street as 16,000 rugby league supporters took over.
Hull KR have been told to embrace the unique opportunity – but on the field, it’s all business with two Super League points and the chance to kick-start their domestic campaign on the line.
The Robins have taken no shot cuts in their preparation, including an opposed training session with NRL partners North Queensland Cowboy.
“It’s my first time in Vegas, and it’s been amazing,” Hadley added. “It’s been good to get out and see the sights, it’s been really good. We’ve trained hard, including an opposed session against North Queensland Cowboys which was a really good experience.“
Hull KR in Las Vegas in association with Hanson Electrical.