LAS VEGAS: The Raiders are encouraging Las Vegas NFL fans to get behind them in Sunday's (AEDT) big gala day in Sin City.
The Raiders are among the most famous brands in the NFL. They've won three Super Bowls – the same number of premierships their Canberra counterparts have won.
"We are the Canberra Raiders, they are the Las Vegas Raiders, so it's only natural for them to cheer for us," hooker Tom Starling told Wide World of Sports.
"They love their NFL here and our job is to get them to like rugby league.
Tom Starling has made a pitch to local Las Vegas Raiders fans. Getty
"And if they have a team to cheer for, it makes it a lot more fun and has them a lot more invested in there experience."
But while the NRL's Raiders have won all three titles from the nation's capital, none of the Vegas Raiders triumphs have been while the team has been based in Las Vegas.
It is commonplace in American sports for teams to change cities, and so it has been for the Raiders.
They began as the Oakland Raiders in 1960 and stayed in the Californian city for two decades where they won th
eir first two Super Bowls.
Las Vegas Raiders fans at a game last December. Getty
In 1982, they re-located to Los Angeles and later added a third title.
But, much like Peter V'Landys and the NRL, the Raiders realised the value of having a professional football team in Sin City - and in 2020, the Las Vegas Raiders were born.
It's been a rocky road as they attempt to establish themselves in Nevada, but in Allegiant Stadium they have a world-class venue and regularly attract rival fans from around the country for away games, with spectators enjoying all Vegas has to offer.
Starling can't wait to run out onto the field in Vegas - hopefully to a huge roar from the locals as well as the large contingent of travelling Canberra fans.
"It's exciting - unbelievable that this is happening," he said.
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"Vegas is such a vibrant city and I spoke to a few of the Roosters boys who went last year … they said it was just an amazing experience."
Starling admits the Raiders are a team on a mission after missing the finals last year.
"That still burns," he said.
"We had a team good enough to get there but let ourselves down with lapses in concentration.
"The likes of Melbourne and Penrith go for the full 80 minutes and that is our goal this year."
The Raiders will play the Warriors at 11am (AEDT) next Sunday.
