BY JOHN DAVIDSON

We’re hurtling down Las Vegas Boulevard on the Warrington Wolves team bus.

The music is pumping, Paul Vaughan and Matt Dufty are in full-larrikin mode in the back seat, and the players are excited. It’s all so surreal.

We’re headed to Fremont Street for the main fan event for the week. With an invite from Warrington’s CEO Karl Fitzpatrick to get a ride to the event in their bus, we jump on and I end up chatting to Luke Yates, while Ross Heppenstall is in deep discussion with James Harrison. Hell, it beats paying for an Uber, although jokingly Sam Burgess tries to charge us $20 for the ride.

Last year everyone I spoke to said how amazing Freemont Street was. Well, it didn’t disappoint. With a red carpet for players to arrive on, thousands upon thousands of supporters mingling around, VIPs wandering by, ex-legends in tow, zip lines flying overhead, drummers, dancers, street performers, it was all quite amazing and insane, but in a good way.

I spotted every footy shirt you can think of, from Manly and Hull KR to London Broncos, Western Australian RL, Queensland Origin and everything in between. Everyone there was having a good time, with alcohol flowing freely and the party in full swing.

Everywhere you looked there was a big name enjoying the atmosphere. Simon Mannering chatting to fans. Karl Harrison there with his wife and family. Petero Civoniceva and Preston Campbell hanging out together. Gordon Tallis getting selfies with fans. Johnathan Thurston on stage. Pat Richards soaking it up with mates. It was great.

We tried to get to the media area, which was near the main stage, but there was simply too many people crammed in to make it through. A sea of bodies under neon was present in all directions.

There were some bemused locals amongst it all, and getting an Uber away after it proved tricky, but those attending were having a blast. And why shouldn’t they. Fremont Street capped off what had been another long, memorable but enjoyable day.

At times here it has been like being in Mt Smart or Mount Wellington. You can’t swing a stick in Las Vegas without hitting New Zealand Warriors fans.

Regardless of the venue, the casino or hotel, the Kiwi supporters are here in force. It’s an impressive turnout. After spotting a few Wahs diehards, today had started with filing a piece for The i-Paper on a potential marriage between the NRL and Super League. You can read it here.

Before that, there was catching up with the latest rugby league news and storylines, which hardly seems possible with the vast amount of content being generated at the moment – doorstopping Sam Burgess at Harry Reid Airport, a Peter V’landys piece to camera on Sky News Australia, Wigan Warriors featuring in The New York Times, and lots and lots of others.

Then there was a quick trip to Allegiant Stadium to pick up Saturday’s media accreditation pace. Jesus what a facility. The Mend A Hose Jungle it is not.

Then it was down to Resorts World for an interview with Wigan boss Kris Radlinski. He was open and engaging about just how good this week has been and what it can mean for Super League and the sport in general going forward.

That was followed by a sit down with Warriors coach Matty Peet. Articulate, thoughtful, honest – there aren’t many better ambassadors for rugby league than the Wiganer. He just gets it.

We then shooted off to a quiet room to record the latest episode of my podcast By the Balls. A bit of discussion on the whole Vegas experience and where it may lead to.

Then it was down to the lobby to get to Fremont Street, where the Warrington invite for a mad bus ride was made. The fun just doesn’t stop.