The return of Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott wasn't enough to prevent LA Roosters from needing to win every match on Day 2 of the Vegas 9s to defend their title in the final at Allegiant Stadium.
Elliott made her first appearance since the 2024 Pacific Championships in the Roosters opening game of the tournament against Nesian Gummas, who sprung an upset to win 26-12.
Elliott, a four-time NRLW premiership winner with three clubs, missed last season - including the Jillaroos Test against England in Vegas - while pregnant with daughter Gigi, who was born in September.
2026 NRL Vegas Nines Day 1
She now has an opportunity to play at Allegiant Stadium as the venue will host the Vegas 9s Men's and Women's Premier Division finals before the Leeds-Hull KR Super League match and NRL's season opening double-header.
However, the Roosters will need to win all three remaining matches against Hunter Hurricanes, Ontario Ospreys and Titans of Coal after losing to Nesian Gummas and drawing 10-10 with Aus Vegas Angels.
The John Strange-coached side, which includes Elliott, Jess Sergis, Corban Baxter, Rima Butler, Otesa Pule, Brydie Parker and Jasmin Strange, finished Day 1 with a 24-0 win over NCR All Stars.
The Gummas, whose side includes Fiji internationals Sienna Laing and Tahlia Marshall, Queensland U19s representative Keira Rangi, former Cowboys forward Shaylee Joseph, ex-Raider Felice Quinlan and Canterbury's Bridget Hoy, won their second match 22-6 against Ospreys.
The Corey Thompson-coached side have four matches tomorrow, whereas most teams have already played three of their six round robin games.
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2026 NRL Vegas Nines Day 2
Among the other NRLW stars playing are former Dragons rookie Indie Bostock (Aus Vegas Angels) and Cowboys playmaker Rosie Kelly and Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell (Titans of Coal).
There are a further seven teams playing in the Women's Community Division - Atlanta Copperheads, British Columbia Storm, Dead Pelicans, San Diego Barracudas, Roots Family Rugby, Garramilla Duavata and Scarborough Aces.
In the Men's Premier Division, the LA Roosters also lost their opening match 24-10 to last year's winners Titans of Coal, who are again led by former PNG Kumuls captain Kyle Laybutt.
The Roosters bounced back to win their remaining three matches Hunslet ARLC from England, 2024 and 2025 runners-up Roots Rugby Family and East Palo Alto Razorbacks.
The Luke Keary coached side are yet to play Wide Bay Renegades and United Sporting Club, featuring former NRL stars Joe Williams, Dylan Farrell and David Fifita, but with a bye in hand they should qualify for the final.
The Vegas 9s Men's and Women's Premier Divisons also include teams selected from National Collegiate Rugby's national championships, with the NCR's mens and women's player-of-the-year winners Alex Nyamunda and Telesi Uhatafe attracting the attention of NRL clubs.
The Men's Community Division includes a massive 16 teams.
