Hull FC have made their priorities clear.
Rugby League has been played in Las Vegas since 2024.
Andy Last has admitted there is a ‘little bit of disappointment’ in Hull FC’s decision not to go to Las Vegas. However, he fully understands the club’s call.
The Black and Whites have cited performance as the main reason not to go stateside at the start of next year, opting instead to focus on preparing their 2027 squad under incoming head coach Steve McNamara.
The Hull-born coach will take the reins on a four-year deal next season and needs to be given every chance to hit the ground running. And for Last, who is set to be one of McNamara’s assistant coaches following his spell as interim head coach, that is crucial, with the financial elements that have been saved on Vegas put back into the first-team squad.
“There’s a little bit of disappointment,” Last said. “It’d be nice to go over there, but I fully understand the club’s reasons for not doing it.
“We need to focus on more pressing matters, which is being more consistent and probably investing a little bit of the money that we would spend (in Vegas) in other areas of our business to help performance and to challenge the right end of the table. I fully understand the club’s decision and I’m fully behind it.”
On Vegas itself, with Bradford Bulls to host Leigh Leopards at the Allegiant Stadium on February 27, Last added: “It’s a great opportunity. It will be great for the fan base and the supporters, and it’ll be a great experience for those players to participate in.
“It looks a great event. I’ve watched it on the TV since the NRL has gone there and it looks like a good event to be a part of.
“It’s a life experience, what those players will be able to remember for a long time, and it’d be great for Super League once again to be rubbing shoulders with the NRL and showcasing the best of our competition.”