Roosters girls go back to back

A last-minute Corban Baxter try snatched victory for the star studded LA Roosters in the final of the Vegas 9s at Allegiant Stadium, while the Kyle Laybutt-led Titans of Coal also won back-to-back titles.

The Roosters trailed 10-6 against the previously unbeaten Aus Vegas Angles but finished 12-10 winners after late tries to Kiwi Ferns prop Otesa Pule and Baxter to retain the trophy they won last year.

Titans of Coal also retained their title with a 24-6 win against United Sporting Club, featuring a host of former NRL stars.  

Brydie Parker scored a first half try for the Roosters, while former Dragons forward Sophie Clancy and Victorian product Dayna Stevens were the tryscorers for the Angels. Stevens converted her try.

LA Roosters qualified for the final after overcoming shock early results to secure a place in the women's final.

However, the Roosters men's team, coached by three-time premiership winner Luke Keary, were beaten 16-14 in the semi-final by United Sporting Club, whose side included former NRL stars Joe Williams, Dylan Farrell and David Fifita.

United Sporting Club will meet 2025 Vegas 9s champions Titans of Coal, led by former PNG Kumuls captain Kyle Laybutt, in the men's final at Allegiant Stadium, while LA Roosters women will take on Aus Vegas Angels.

The two teams met in the opening round, with the match ending in a 10-10 draw as the Aus Vegas Angels - featuring former Dragons rookie Indie Bostock - topped the ladder after remaining undefeated.

The star-studded Roosters, whose side includes Millie Elliott, Jess Sergis, Corban Baxter, Rima Butler, Otesa Pule, Brydie Parker and Jasmin Strange, also lost their opening game against Nesian Gummas, who sprung an upset to win 26-12.

After beating NCR All Stars and winning all three matches on Day 2 of the tournament at New Silver Bowl Park against Hunter Hurricanes, Ontario Ospreys and Titans of Coal, the LA Roosters finished second to earn a place in the final.

For Elliott, who was making her first appearance since the 2024 Pacific Championships at the NRL Vegas 9s it was the chance to play at Allegiant Stadium after missing the Jillaroos Test against England last year.

Elliott, a four-time NRLW premiership winner with the Broncos, Knights and Roosters, did not play in 2025 while pregnant with daughter Gigi, who was born in September. 

The Gummas included 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.

However, the Corey Thompson-coached team suffered back-to-back losses to the Hurricanes and Angels on Day 2 to open the door for John Strange's Roosters side to claim their place in the final.

The LA Roosters men bounced back from a first up 26-12 loss to Titans of Coal to finish second in Pool A after winning their remaining four games but were beaten in their semi-final by United Sporting Club, who topped Pool B. 

Titans of Coal beat Hunslet ARLC from England 20-4 in the other semi-final.

Representing Titan IND, who supply skilled labour to mining companies across Australia, Titans of Coal expanded from one team in 2025 to three teams this year and have already been rewarded with the Men's Community Division trophy.

Coogee Wombats were runners-up, going down 28-14 to Titans of Coal in the grand final.

The Women's Community Division grand final was won by Northern Territory side Garamilla Duavata, 18-12 over Canada's Scarborough Aces, who were led by York-bound Ravens international Petra Wood.