NRL Las Vegas news: NRL combine trio train with Cronulla Sharks, Jack Cole on replacing Jarome Luai
The Sharks have invited three international representatives from USA and Canada to join their training, with one NRL hopeful revealing his deep connection to rugby league. All the NRL news from Las Vegas.
David Riccio,
Brent Read and
Travis Meyn
From Canada to the NRL, that’s the dream of Marcus D’Acre who has received an invitation to help Cronulla cause a Las Vegas upset against the premiers.
The 20-year-old Canadian rugby union player joined two fellow NRL combine players, who have been asked to train with the Sharks ahead of their huge round one clash with Penrith at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.
A Canadian under-20s rugby union representative, D’Acre joined USA Tomahawks forward Sione Masoe and USA Rugby Sevens winger Adam Channel in the Sharks training squad on Wednesday
The trio were headhunted by Sharks GM of football Darren Mooney, who scoured video of the trio before offering them to run as defensive opposition against the Sharks starting 13.
“I put my name forward in the combine and Darren Mooney reached out and asked if I wanted to come and join in,’’ D’Acre said.
“That was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
“This is my first time playing league and I’m learning from the top from the best of the best, there’s no better way to do it.
“I’m just going to be a sponge and just absorb everything and take everything in.
“I’m just happy to be here.’’
With an Australian father from Melbourne, D’Acre - who plays fullback, wing or centre - said he grew up watching Storm games on TV.
The NRL will hold their official combine on Saturday and Sunday with D’Acre confirming his ambition to play in the NRL.
“I want to play the highest level of rugby I can and obviously going to Australia and being an Australian citizen, the highest level is over in Australia,’’ D’Acre said.
“So I want to one day play in the Olympics too.
“I just want to put my best foot forward to impress.
“The experience alone has been awesome.’’
The NRL combine trio will also feature in the Sharks most important training session of their preparation on Thursday.
Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey said that after arriving from a four-day camp in LA, the Sharks were focused on shielding the bright lights from their focus on taking down the Panthers.
“They’re obviously the best of the best for a reason, they have a great squad,’’ Brailey said.
“I’m sure they’ll be up the top again this year.
“There’s no easy games in the NRL and we play the hardest one in round one, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.’’
The Panthers are a new-look side in 2025 without the likes of Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva.
In a surprise, coach Ivan Cleary has opted rookie half Jack Cole to start alongside Nathan Cleary at Allegiant Stadium over new recruit Blaize Talagi.
Brailey said Cronulla would be crazy to assume the Panthers were underdone.
“I feel like the squad is your strength and they’ve won four back-to-back premierships because of that.
“We also saw in the trial matches that whoever steps up they do a job.
“We’re going to treat them as the best of the best.’’
-David Riccio
