For devoted One New Zealand Warriors fan Rob ‘The Sign Guy’ Harris, the club's round one game in Las Vegas was an experience he and his wife will never forget.
While the result might've been a tough pill to swallow for those who made the journey to America, it was the experience around the game that truly left an impact on the Warriors faithful.
“The whole experience was just magical, bro,” Harris said.
“To see our little club from South Auckland on the world stage, at Allegiant Stadium, with that kind of support was special.”
Thanks to Air New Zealand and Grab A Seat, Harris and many other fans were flown in on a chartered flight, setting the stage for an unforgettable week.
But for the Sign Guy, the best part wasn’t the game—it was the chance to meet and connect with fellow Warriors supporters from all over.
“We got talking to couples and groups who sit in the West Stand, who we never would've connected with otherwise,” he explained.
“Just hearing their stories - how long they’ve been fans for, family connections to the club - it gave us a completely different experience.”
Those fan connections were a highlight for many who made the trip north, and Harris says they left a profound impression.
"We’ve never felt closer to the club. It wasn’t just about the game; it was about the people we met," he said.
“I’ll remember Vegas for the people I met more than anything else. It was an awesome experience.”
The success of the event wasn’t just about the atmosphere at Allegiant Stadium - it was also a win for the NRL with massive TV viewership numbers, proving the game’s reach beyond just the local fanbase.
