Rugby league takes over Fremont Street: English fans steal show in Sin City

"We're not here to take part," he declared from the main stage, borrowing a line from Conor McGregor. "We're here to take over."

You step out of the taxi and are greeted by a wall of sound and colour. The spectacle of rugby league on Fremont Street is unmatched.

Thousands of miles from the working-class towns that have always valued graft over glamour, the sport has found a new way to spread the word.

The crowd crackles with anticipation long before the first players step onto the red carpet. These fans have heard the hype and want to experience it for themselves.

By mid-afternoon, English supporters had filled Fremont Street and were in full voice. Hull KR and Leeds fans sang, chanted and brought the neon-lit strip alive in their own inimitable way.

Magician Jackson Aces felt the full force of their razor-sharp wit, left scrambling by a chorus of "You're getting sacked in the morning" when he didn't quite nail his routine.

Amid the chaos, Sky Sports frontman Brian Carney could barely contain his excitement.

"It's bigger and it's louder than last year," said the former Great Britain winger, who witnessed the spectacle when Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves visited.

"It's phenomenal – and the players haven't even arrived yet. The roof is going to lift off this place.

"And I tell you who is dominating: Hull KR and Leeds fans. They're the only ones you can hear. To take over Las Vegas takes some doing – but we've done it."

Carney wasn't wrong. From end to end, Fremont Street echoes to familiar chants as rugby league – with English supporters front and centre – continues to press home its message in Sin City.

This has fast become the must-see event on the rugby league calendar. Players stride down the red carpet amid a sea of adoring fans, a celebrity-style arrival more often reserved for the world's biggest sporting stars. This is rugby league as we've never seen it before.

The Rhinos had the honour of leading the procession, making their way through the crowd with wide eyes and even wider smiles.

From the stage, Ash Handley captured it perfectly.

"This is mental," said the Leeds captain.

"The English fans have been absolutely incredible. The Aussie captains can't believe how loud you are.

"It's unbelievable to see all the English faces here. We're looking forward to putting on a show on Saturday night."

As the noise continues to reverberate along Fremont Street, it is easy to forget that the main event is still to come. In just a few days, rugby league has turned Las Vegas into a spectacle felt far beyond the pitch.

If anything captured the intoxicating effect of Fremont Street, it was the sight of Ryan Hall – usually so measured – leading a chorus of 'Marching on Together'.

An estimated 16,000 fans packed into the heart of the old town – and Hull KR stole the show. Their club anthems dominated the night, drowning out even the flashing signs.

Just when you thought Fremont Street couldn't get any wilder, Andy Bell of Erasure appeared to sing 'Little Respect' to the delight of the Craven Park faithful who try to hit those high notes week after week back home.

A week on from lifting the World Club Challenge in the backyard of fierce rivals Hull FC, the same trophy made its way down the red carpet in the hands of a jubilant Elliot Minchella.

In every sense, the Robins are at the centre of the rugby league universe right now.

The MC couldn't resist a quip: "Your arms must be sore from carrying all these trophies around."

Minchella, captain of KR's historic quadruple-winning side, grinned in reply: "I've had worse problems, mate.

"What a privilege to play for this great club. It's a special time and long may it continue.

"It was a special one last Thursday and we're very grateful to be here."

Once Rovers – Joe Burgess' gold chain and sunglasses and all – left the stage, the noise faded and the night was never the same.

The NRL clubs, widely viewed as the headline acts, have found themselves in the shadow of their English counterparts this week.

The Super League teams may have stolen the show but the NRL players did their best to bridge the gap with their dance moves.

Out of nowhere, Newcastle Knights winger Greg Marzhew popped a backflip and landed perfectly to gasps and cheers from the crowd – and the relief of his coach. Only in Vegas.

As the fans dispersed and Fremont Street tried to process what had just happened, one thing was certain: the Sin City takeover was richer for the presence of Super League clubs.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys – the brainchild of the Vegas concept – had the final word.

"I'm ecstatic," he said. "It just keeps growing.

"The Super League fans have added another dimension to it in terms of atmosphere.

"In the first year, we had all the streets full. The second year was double. This year it's probably quadrupled.

"The English supporters are just another level."

And as the neon lights dimmed for the night, it was impossible not to agree.